On my visit to one African country, I shared tea with one woman. She was a lovely woman who lives in "hell." I literary mean "hell," as you know it. I sensed that the poor woman did not trust anybody in the Hotel. So I inquired about her fears. "I am an African woman who is gay," she told while looking around. I developed interest in her answer. As a researcher, I inquired, "how is homosexuality conceived in your country?" Her answer, "To be gay in this country is like living in hell. My parents have accepted me, but the community does not. I can't go to school, to the market, to the hospital and even walk freely in the streets."
After she realized that I am a priest, the woman was bold enough to challenge me to start seeing gays and lesbians as human beings with rights. So she invited me to witness one of the worst form of human rights abuse promoted by Christians in our time.
"Do you want to see how I live my life and preach about it?" She asked, as she stood up and headed to the door. At this time, I followed her at a distance, like Peter did to Jesus!
From nowhere, she was surrounded by men who started harassing her for shaming her country. As though that was not enough, they started slapping her and hell broke up. The poor woman could not defend herself! Thanks be to God, the police did not take time to arrive on the crime scene. To my shock, those criminals were left and the poor woman was arrested for being gay.
I am ashamed that I did not stand up for her. After sometime, I caught up with her! In tears, she narrated her ordeal and informed me that all her money was taken. "I am tired of living in fear. I love this country but I am gay! "
I was later informed that the people behind the demonization of that woman were Deacons, priests, Bishops and Archbishops of my faith! As a priest, who is highly concerned with how Christian minorities are mistreated, beaten, imprisoned and even killed in some Islamic states, I am ashamed that we are mistreating homosexuals in the same manner.
When I shared her plight to some Christian pastors and priests, they told me openly that homosexuals should be shot! Friends, I we all have different views on homosexuality but I cannot accept denying others their rights because of their sexuality! Call them Hindus, Mormons, racists, Muslims and worse still, homosexuals! I believe as long as we are humans, we all have rights to be advocated and protected!
