Vox Populi Many intellectuals say for African art to be really African, it has to be rooted in African values, beliefs, customs and t r a d i t i o n s . H o w e v e r, s i n c e colonization or let's say civilization, there has been a continual clash between Western and African values such that each jostles for supremacy. The discourse of homosexuality is not new on the continent but the wake of the millennium ushered in the legalization of this unnatural act in many European countries and then, the desire to let that spread all across Africa started. There was pressure, there was lobbying. Some of the developed countries even considered implementing laws that would limit or prohibit general budget support to countries that restrict the rights of LGBT people. As of today, of the 54 countries recognized by United Nations and African Union on the continent, homosexuality is outlawed in 34 and constitutionally banned in 9 with stiff penalties, some capital. While it is allowed in 21, 2: Cape Verde and South Africa constitutionally recognize it. some capital. While it is allowed in 21, 2: Cape Verde and South Africa constitutionally recognize it. Before Nigeria's President, Goodluck Jonathan, signed into law a bill criminalizing same-sex relationships and the support of such relationships, making these offences punishable by up to fourteen years in prison, there had been agitations from many individuals including writers and some civil societies on the subjectmatter. And with the criminalization in January 2014, one would have thought that that was the last that would be heard of it around here. We know how the fire
of creativity burns and how much a creative mind desires to explore new terrains of social issues. We also know it is way too absurd for any government
to set up restricting rules of creative explorations. The question that stares at us in the face, nonetheless, is why homosexuality (a generic term for same-sex relationships) is taking over in many new African writings. We hooked up with a cross section of Nigerian writers, spoken word artistes and students to hear what they think. Elijah Olasunkanmi Odetokun a.k.a Hollic, an author, page poet and spoken word artiste says ‘as much as I’m liberal and provide perfect premise to understand everyone and what they do, I also yearn for fair ground for all but it seems the plain level offered by the African writers’ community is for homosexuals and related writings. Because a thing is seen as against norms and we want to accommodate them doesn’t mean we should overemphasize them more than others. It shares a similar situation with girl child advocacy and feminism. No one is talking about being human because we all want to accommodate h o m o s e x u a l i t y. I t s r e c e n t prevalence in African writings is the fault of us all because bad things happen to bad people, it’s normal but when it happens to good people, we all begin to shout. It first started in Western writings but we saw it as normal because we perceive them as uncultured and abnormal people. But here it is today, in the midst of our so-called cultured Africans and we can only wail. It has come to stay and while we sip in its cup, let’s look out for other things we won’t want to wail about later.
Fr33zin' Paul, a popular spoken artiste says 'Well, homosexuality is a very sensitive topic, very sensitive. I know so many people who engage in it or advocate for those who engage in it. I want to believe it is their life and they are free to live their life the way they want but is homosexuality good? Of course not. It is abnormal and should be discouraged without insulting the personalities of those involved. Most people who claim to be homosexuals especially on social media or write about it in their books, do it just to trend, to get noticed and to appear woke. Deep down, they don't do it. The social media puts a pressure on us that if we are not careful, we try to please everyone. I mean, when you were born, you were given a genital not two. A male should be for a female and a female for a male. It is common sense. Homosexuality is not a crime, homosexuality is like living your life in pretence and lies and lies and pretence should be discouraged'. Mojisola Esther, an English student of Obafemi Awolowo University says 'Homosexuality is seen recently as a natural sexual feeling that shouldn't be judged by any religion. So, I think African writers see homosexuality as normal civilization that Africa should experience even as the global world advances alongside the tech world’. John Chizoba Vincent a.k.a JCV, a writer and page poet says 'The issue of homosexuality taking over new African writings is a wave from the West. We all know Africans with their ways of getting acquainted with foreign cultures. If you don't write about queer, homosexuality or lesbianism, no one would recognize you. Since it is now under their laws, it is now legal to get married to your fellow man. Our young men here who find it difficult to manage women would prefer getting married to their fellow men than the women. And as for the writing sphere, I think since some TIL Magazine 17
