“To think that the Africans are doing something that has never been heard of — it’s not fair,” says the writer of new book about the impact of American anti-LGBT activists in Africa.
Rev. Dr. Kapya Kaoma
Courtesy of Political Research Associates
Rev. Dr. Kapya Kaoma, a Zambian priest, was instrumental in drawing attention to the connection between American anti-LGBT religious activists and the wave of political homophobia in several African countries through research papers he published for the Boston-based organization Political Research Associates beginning in 2009. This week PRA published a new book by Kaoma, American Culture Warriors in Africa documenting in great detail the religious leaders in both the United States and Africa that have contributed to the movements responsible for passing bills like the ones that recently became law in Uganda and Nigeria, as well as suggestions on how American LGBT rights supporters can most constructively support African LGBT activists. He spoke with BuzzFeed about how Americans changed the conversation around homosexuality in Africa.
How do you think Americans are doing at understanding the dynamics of what is driving anti-LGBT laws in Africa?
Rev. Dr. Kapya Kaoma: One of the biggest mistakes that Americans make is that they believe that in America, you have politicians, while in Africa, we have lunatics. But African politicians are also looking for votes, just like American politicians do. ... Usually politicians use an issue that they think the populace would love to hear. And in Africa, that now is LGBT laws — that's where they think the votes will be.
Martin Ssempa, pastor of Uganda's Makerere Community Church, is one of the country's most vocal opponents of LGBT rights.
Twitter: @martinssempa / Via Twitter: @martinssempa