Spilling Out of the Closet
Society,
February 5, 2005
The Standard Group
I & M Building, Kenyatta Avenue,
P.O Box 30080, 00100 GPO, Nairobi-Kenya.
Tel: +254 20 3222111, Fax: +254 20 214467.
Email: editorial@eastandard.net,
online@eastandard.net
By Benson Kimathi
Homosexuality and the social condemnation it attracts are
as old as mankind. Tales of homosexuality by soldiers during both the First
and Second World Wars were commonplace. Today, not only is homosexuality
practised in secluded institutions like prisons and colleges but it is also
slowly albeit grudgingly becoming accepted as a sexual orientation rather than
a perversion.
Because heterosexuals are the majority, homosexuality is
still considered a disorder and is still fervently opposed. Late last year, a
Ugandan radio station, Simba FM, was fined $1,000 (Sh80,000) and forced to
apologise for hosting a talk show by gay men. In Kenya, Anglican Church
bishops continue to breathe fire over last year’s decision by the American
Episcopal Church to ordain a homosexual bishop and to allow the wedding of gay
couples.
Even then, gay and lesbian-friendly pressure groups
around the world continue to speak out against laws and customs that are
deemed hostile. What is evident is that the impact of gays and lesbian lobby
groups is progressively beginning to be felt. Their continued inability to
change their sexual bearing has forced them into becoming activists. Then
scientific researchers came forth and started announcing that biology may have
something to do with sexual orientation, after all.
Before the 1980s, homosexuality was included as a
treatable disorder in the manual of mental disorders published by the American
Psychiatric Association. Given findings from scientific research, and with
mounting pressures and politicking from both gays and gay-friendly groups and
individuals, however, that particular disorder has had to be dropped from the
manual.
Today, as Nairobi psychiatrist Dr Frank Njenga explains,
homosexuality is no longer viewed as a disease. “To try to understand
homosexuality from a medical point of view is incorrect.”
He says there are people who are comfortable being
homosexual, and others who are unhappy about it. “These (the latter) are the
ones I would see.” He, however, emphasises that the aim of seeing these
people is not to ‘treat’ the homosexuality, but rather to address the
related concerns. “The mistake we make in Africa is to define people by
their sexual orientation,” he says.
According to the Handbook of Counselling and
Psychotherapy with Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual [LGB] Clients (American
Psychological Association, 2000), “The process through which LGB individuals
first recognise their sexual orientation is often referred to as ‘coming
out’.” This process consists of a series of complex cognitive [thought
processing], affective [emotional] and behavioural changes.”
The handbook explains that forming a sexual identity is a
challenging process, which might mean adopting an unpopular identity, altering
one’s self-concept, as well as changing relations with others and with
society. “The process can occur quickly or over an extended time, and it is
the beginning of the lifelong process of developing an LGB identity.”
Although this mood is finding a home locally, it remains
difficult for many to take a clinical, objective look at homosexuality,
without moralising the issue and evoking strong emotions. More often than not,
public opposition to the practice is fuelled by social condemnation. Knowing
where society stands, everybody is on their guard every time they touch on the
sensitive topic. One psychologist says he would never consult with
homosexuals. The media approaches the subject with great caution.
Homosexuality continues to be a sore point, and in spite
of laws or policies, it seems it is here to stay.
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