Monday, April 9, 2012
Mr. Gay World in Africa
http://www.npr.org/2012/04/09/150299723/for-the-first-time-mr-gay-world-crowned-in-africa
This story caught my eye in light of the reports I read on the IGLHRC website about anti-gay discrimination in Liberia, Uganda, and Iran. Homophobia is certainly alive and well in the United States, but it is a different beast than those faced in many other parts of the world. This piece is contextualized by the disturbing stories about anti-gay activities and even legislation in Africa that have been peppering the news for a while now. It is at once upsetting in that it reinforces how far LGBTQ rights have to go on the continent and slightly encouraging in that it highlights progress—no matter how insufficient the advances might be. The competition was held in Africa (good), and yet only featured two Black African men (bad). However, that is two more Black African men than have participated in Mr. Gay World previously (good?). Still, the all too justified fear of the Ethiopian contestant for his physical safety in his country reminds us that we are not in a position to sit back and wait patiently for more change to come. As alluded to in the piece, Africa is not the only region where homosexuality is met with oppressive and often violent stigmatization.
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I read this too... and I'm not sure how to react. There are so many layers. I agree that events such as these could promote at least dialogue about LGBTQIA rights, or in this case, make homosexual men less invisible and part of a globalized world. However, beauty pageants may not be the most "powerful" way of talking about discrimination and homophobia. Beauty pageants promote and reproduce certain stereotypes, and really don’t question social constructions on manhood and masculinity by physical fitness tests, for example. Other initiatives like the ones they mention afterwards in the article, like legislation, advocacy groups and UN’s accompaniment to different countries, can bring about structural change. However, I do believe that gay men should have the right to participate in such events without being threatened or fearing for their lives.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree, and was at first hesitant to make a comment on this story without mentioning the elephant in the room. But I decided that I was comfortable endorsing the act of contestation, even if I do not endorse the site of contestation. Also the 200-word thing... ;)
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