Friday, March 27, 2009

Transgendered in Zimbabwe

I don't know how to even begin to imagine what life must be like for Tawanda. It's a terrifying story.

Robert Mugabe is dangerous to Zimbabwe's GLBT community, as evidenced by the combination of his power and his views on homosexuality:

...degrades human dignity. It's unnatural and there is no question ever of allowing these people to behave worse than dogs and pigs. If dogs and pigs do not do it, why must human beings? We have our own culture, and we must re-dedicate ourselves to our traditional values that make us human beings...what we are being persuaded to accept is sub-animal behavior and we will never allow it here. If you see people parading themselves as lesbians and gays, arrest them and hand them over to the police!

Bigotry breeds violence--if not in the bigot himself, certainly in some part of his sphere of influence. And a significant component of Mugabe's legacy in Zimbabwe is violent repression.

This is tragic.

7 comments:

Jan said...

Definitely tragic and worse than that. Horrendous.

Rachel said...

( )
(stunned silent)

Diane M. Roth said...

..... the same as Rachel.

Anonymous said...

Robert Mugabe is a tyrant and and an animal. He has treated his people cruelly in every way - this is just one more example. Zimbabwe is falling apart...and it will only heal when he is no longer their leader. Dear God - may that day come soon.

Ruth Hetland

Terri said...

Indeed...may that day come soon!

Mary Beth said...

AMen to that.

Processing Counselor said...

I'm with you on this!