Blog# 9

In the month of October, fifty-two African ministers signed a declaration stating that their national laws take precedence over international human rights norms. This declaration was in regards to human sexuality and public health. However, some gay rights activists have taken this as a rejection to nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. This declaration stemmed from the African Conference on Population and Development held in Addis Abba. This conference was meant to fulfill health and development goals. The international community understands that in order to achieve these goals there has to be an implementation of human rights. According to the article, author Damian Ugwu states that, "international human rights law does not accept national legislation as a legitimate justification for the limitation of rights." The human rights law requires that all discrimination to end immediately, no matter the national laws. However, with this awesome news comes the downfall, at the African Conference on Human Rights, thematic ways were adopted to condemn violence and discrimination against the LGBT community. This was said and happened in both 2009 and 2013.


As a reader begins to read this article they might feel as if Africa is giving up on their beliefs and stance on LGBT rights. However, as the reader continues they see that the gay communities rights are excluded from this declaration. The reader also sees that not only are the excluded, but reasons are found as to why violence and discrimination are accepted. The reader might also think that in order to truly accomplish what the ministers and African conferences want, they will have to accept the gay community. The overall health and development of a country is also dependent upon the gay population. However, the reader might also read this and think that the gay population of Africa or anywhere around the world makes that big of an impact on their country. This reader might also agree with the fact that no one else should be discriminated against except for the gay population. Religious readers might view this as something God would approve, for he does not condemn homosexuality. However, there are those readers who are religious and believe the opposite, that God loves all, and love is an equal opportunity for all, no matter your gender or race. There are mixed beliefs and emotions on this topic as always, however, it feels as if the negative reader always wins when it comes to LGBT rights and acceptance. No matter what the readers stance, I believe all find it unjust to enforce violence, unless they are willing to go to the extremes.


Maria Shropshire
SOC-202-03
9:12 AM 11/8/13


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/damian-ugwu/african-conference-out-of_b_4221274.html