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Ugandan judge condemns humiliation of lesbians
The case involves the arrest and torture of two women, Yvonne Oyoo and Victor Juliet Mukasa, who were suspected of being lesbians. One of the women was forcibly undressed by the police in order to prove that she was indeed a woman. Afterwards, she was sexually assaulted.
by Davion Ford
26-12-2008
A court in Uganda has handed down a landmark ruling which is being hailed by gay rights activists around the world.
The case involves the arrest and torture of two women, Yvonne Oyoo and Victor Juliet Mukasa, who were suspected of being lesbians.
One of the women was forcibly undressed by the police in order to prove that she was indeed a woman. Afterwards, she was sexually assaulted. According to Glenn de Swart, spokesperson for Cape Town Pride, this type of abuse is common in many parts of Africa, as men can have twisted views of female homosexuality.
"Women are seen as objects of men... [ the attitude of some men is:] if we need to we can always rape them. And that is often seen as curative rape... That we can cure a lesbian of her sexual orientation by raping her. All she needs is good sex with a man and she'll be fine."
The case at hand, is the first instance in which a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) person has sued the government of Uganda for abuse. The verdict was expected in 2007 but was delayed to the point that many in the Ugandan gay community had lost all hope that a decision would be reached. But, in what is being viewed as a Christmas surprise, the judge last Wednesday awarded $7,000 to the two women for their hardships.
'Significant development'
Mr. de Swart sees the ruling as a significant development in human rights on the African continent, but does not believe that it will lead Uganda to go so far as to legalize gay marriage, as South Africa has done.
"I don't see, in my life-time, another African country legalizing same-sex marriage."
Even though same-sex marriage may not become legal across Africa, Mr. de Swart does believe that there are other steps that can be taken to make life better for the LGBT community in Africa:
"I am hoping there will be little steps. For instance, that in some countries which are muslim maybe, people will not be imprisoned because of sexual behavior. That would already be a big thing."
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/africa/081226-uganda-lesbians
26-12-2008
A court in Uganda has handed down a landmark ruling which is being hailed by gay rights activists around the world.
The case involves the arrest and torture of two women, Yvonne Oyoo and Victor Juliet Mukasa, who were suspected of being lesbians.
One of the women was forcibly undressed by the police in order to prove that she was indeed a woman. Afterwards, she was sexually assaulted. According to Glenn de Swart, spokesperson for Cape Town Pride, this type of abuse is common in many parts of Africa, as men can have twisted views of female homosexuality.
"Women are seen as objects of men... [ the attitude of some men is:] if we need to we can always rape them. And that is often seen as curative rape... That we can cure a lesbian of her sexual orientation by raping her. All she needs is good sex with a man and she'll be fine."
The case at hand, is the first instance in which a lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) person has sued the government of Uganda for abuse. The verdict was expected in 2007 but was delayed to the point that many in the Ugandan gay community had lost all hope that a decision would be reached. But, in what is being viewed as a Christmas surprise, the judge last Wednesday awarded $7,000 to the two women for their hardships.
'Significant development'
Mr. de Swart sees the ruling as a significant development in human rights on the African continent, but does not believe that it will lead Uganda to go so far as to legalize gay marriage, as South Africa has done.
"I don't see, in my life-time, another African country legalizing same-sex marriage."
Even though same-sex marriage may not become legal across Africa, Mr. de Swart does believe that there are other steps that can be taken to make life better for the LGBT community in Africa:
"I am hoping there will be little steps. For instance, that in some countries which are muslim maybe, people will not be imprisoned because of sexual behavior. That would already be a big thing."
http://www.radionetherlands.nl/currentaffairs/region/africa/081226-uganda-lesbians
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