It is time to speak truth to power and to take a united stand against the statements and actions that institutions and people in power have made that violate the rights of people to express their sexuality.
These violations have occurred through condemning homosexuality, criminalising homosexuality, tolerating homophobic behaviour and not punishing homophobic attacks.
All human rights and a free and just society are endangered when the law and those entrusted with the protection of human rights condemn homosexuality.
Some poignant examples of the expression of homophobia in our continent are evident in the Ugandan Anti Homophobia Bill, the recent case in Malawi where gay couple Tiwonge Chimbalanga and Steven Monjeza were arrested for getting married, the recent appointment of homophobic journalist Qwelane as South Africa's ambassador to Uganda and the homophobic stance taken by Jerry Matjila, South Africa's representative at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on the 16th of June 2010.
We are equally guilty if we look on silently!
Rhodes 2010 SRC