Gay Kosmopol

Desmond TUTU, archevêque émérite anglican du Cap (Cape Town, Afrique du Sud), s'est vu décerner le prix Nobel de la Paix en 2004. Dans un article publié hier par le Wahington Post, il s'inquiète de la propagation de l'homophobie sur le continent africain: au Sénégal, au Malawi, au Kenya et en Uganda les législateurs s'attaquent aux droits des personnes LGBT jusqu'à préconiser la peine de mort (Uganda),  et il arrive que  la population s'en prenne aux personnes et mette en danger leur intégrité physique. La pandémie de Sida est plus préoccupante que jamais et l'homophobie ambiante en est un facteur de développement. Tout cela est inacceptable d'un point de vue chrétien, selon l'archevêque. L'homosexualité n'est pas un péché, mais un des aspects de la diversité humaine.

Voici le texte original de Desmond Tutu.

In Africa, a step backward on human rights

By Desmond Tutu
Friday, March 12, 2010; A19

Hate has no place in the house of God. No one should be excluded from our love, our compassion or our concern because of race or gender, faith or ethnicity -- or because of their sexual orientation. Nor should anyone be excluded from health care on any of these grounds. In my country of South Africa, we struggled for years against the evil system of apartheid that divided human beings, children of the same God, by racial classification and then denied many of them fundamental human rights. We knew this was wrong. Thankfully, the world supported us in our struggle for freedom and dignity.

It is time to stand up against another wrong.

Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people are part of so many families. They are part of the human family. They are part of God's family. And of course they are part of the African family. But a wave of hate is spreading across my beloved continent. People are again being denied their fundamental rights and freedoms. Men have been falsely charged and imprisoned in Senegal, and health services for these men and their community have suffered. In Malawi, men have been jailed and humiliated for expressing their partnerships with other men. Just this month, mobs in Mtwapa Township, Kenya, attacked men they suspected of being gay. Kenyan religious leaders, I am ashamed to say, threatened an HIV clinic there for providing counseling services to all members of that community, because the clerics wanted gay men excluded.

Uganda's parliament is debating legislation that would make homosexuality punishable by life imprisonment, and more discriminatory legislation has been debated in Rwanda and Burundi.

These are terrible backward steps for human rights in Africa.

Our lesbian and gay brothers and sisters across Africa are living in fear.

And they are living in hiding -- away from care, away from the protection the state should offer to every citizen and away from health care in the AIDS era, when all of us, especially Africans, need access to essential HIV services. That this pandering to intolerance is being done by politicians looking for scapegoats for their failures is not surprising. But it is a great wrong. An even larger offense is that it is being done in the name of God. Show me where Christ said "Love thy fellow man, except for the gay ones." Gay people, too, are made in my God's image. I would never worship a homophobic God.

"But they are sinners," I can hear the preachers and politicians say. "They are choosing a life of sin for which they must be punished." My scientist and medical friends have shared with me a reality that so many gay people have confirmed, I now know it in my heart to be true. No one chooses to be gay. Sexual orientation, like skin color, is another feature of our diversity as a human family. Isn't it amazing that we are all made in God's image, and yet there is so much diversity among his people? Does God love his dark- or his light-skinned children less? The brave more than the timid? And does any of us know the mind of God so well that we can decide for him who is included, and who is excluded, from the circle of his love?

The wave of hate must stop. Politicians who profit from exploiting this hate, from fanning it, must not be tempted by this easy way to profit from fear and misunderstanding. And my fellow clerics, of all faiths, must stand up for the principles of universal dignity and fellowship. Exclusion is never the way forward on our shared paths to freedom and justice.

Source: le Washington Post du 12 mars

En décembre 2008, le monde entier célèbrera le 60ème anniversaire de la Déclaration Universelle des Droits Humains.

Les vétérans, Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Ela Bhatt, Gro Brundtland, Jimmy Carter, Lakhdar Brahimi, Fernando H Cardoso, Kofi Annan, Graca Machel, Mary Robinson, Muhammad Yunus, Aung San Suu Kyi, ont lancé une campagne intitulée : "Every Human
Has Rights".

Ils espèrent que 2008 soit l'année de la signature de la Déclaration des Droits Humains par des individus.

Leur objectif est de réunir un milliard de signatures à travers le monde avant la fin de l'année 2008.

Signez !

http://www.everyhumanhasrights.org/ (1)

Voici la video de la dernière intervention contre l'homophobie de l' archevêque Desmond TUTU, le célèbre prix Nobel de la Paix sud-africain.

Voici un communiqué en anglais de l'observatoire des droits de l'homme: il s'agit d'une lettre adressée par l'archevêque Desmond Tutu et 100 autre responsables religieux au Président de l'Ouganda concernant les droits humains des personnes LGBT. Je vous en ai traduit le premier paragraphe, en italique.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH 

En tant que leaders de diverses communautés religieuses, nous vous demandons de cesser les attaques verbales et juridiques de votre gouvernement contre les droits  humains des personnes lesbiennes, gaies, bisexuelles et transgenres (LGBT). Toutes les traditions religieuses demandent que nous prenions soin de notre prochain et des opprimés, e que nous fassions respecter la dignité de chaque personne. Personne ne devrait vivre dans la crainte d'être simplement ce qu'il est. En tant qu'autorité morale,  nous savons que vous ne souhaitez pas que les citoyens ougandais souffrent sans nécessité, c'est pourquoi no vous demandons de faire cesser la chasse aux sorcières contre les personnes les plus vulnérables dans votre communauté.

Letter from Religious Leaders to the Ugandan Government

President Yoweri Museveni  
President of the Republic of Uganda  
State House Nakasero  
P.O. Box 24594  
Kampala, Uganda  
 
Dear President Museveni,  
 
As leaders of diverse religious communities, we call on you to stop the verbal assaults and legal attacks of your government on the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) people. All religious traditions demand that we care for the neighbor and the oppressed among us and that we uphold the dignity of every person. No one should have to live in fear simply because of who they are. As a moral leader we know that you do not wish to see Uganda citizens suffer unnecessarily, and we are therefore asking you to call an end to the witch hunt against the most vulnerable in your community. 

We are particularly concerned that members of your government have called for criminal action against people solely because of whom they love and have censored and silenced attempts by LGBT people to speak on their own behalf. These actions only promote fear, profound isolation and invisibility.  
 
Like you, we are committed to building bridges of understanding across divides of difference in which the values of justice, solidarity, compassion, equality and human dignity are values we are called on not only to preach but to live. These are not just our principles but are consistent with Uganda's commitments to human rights. As you know, the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights affirms the equality of all people and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights protects the right to equality, freedom of expression, freedom of conscience, freedom of assembly, and freedom of association. We are only asking that you hold up the solid principles your government espouses.  
 
Open aggression against LGBT people is especially devastating in the context of the HIV pandemic. Discrimination and stigma contribute to misinformation and fear. The pandemic can only be stopped with prevention, treatment, care and support in enabling environments that protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the process.  
 
We reach out to you in fellowship and ask that you publicly condemn all harassment against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in Uganda. Uganda is a rich and diverse country that has the potential to be a model for the rest of the world of compassion and justice.  
 
Sincerely,  
 
Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Archbishop  
Anglican Church of Southern Africa  
 
Rev. Pat Bumgardner, Chair  
Moderator's Global Justice Team  
Metropolitan Community Churches  
 
Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, Moderator  
Metropolitan Community Churches  
 
Rev. Elder Arlene Ackerman  
Father F. Luke Adams, Jr.  
Rev. Kharma Amos; Pastor  
John Paul Andaquig, Secretary  
Father Jerry R. Anderson  
Mia Andersen, Pastor  
Rev. Dr. Peter M. Antoci  
Robert Bayer  
Rev. Mark G. Bidwell, Senior Pastor  
Rev. David Bieniek  
Dr David Bilchitz, Chairperson  
Rev. Lea D. Brown, Pastor  
Mary Peter Bruce, SL  
Michael Callaway, Secretary  
Rev. Dr. Jan Carlsson-Bull, Minister  
Linda S. Comins  
Rev. Jennifer M. Creswell, Pastoral Associate  
Rev. Carlos Cruz  
Rev. Dr Judy Dahl  
Rev. Dee Dale, Senior Pastor  
Christopher DiMaio, M.D.  
Rev. Jennifer L. Paty M.Div, Senior Pastor  
Dr. Ann Drake  
Revd Jon Dean  
Rev. Patricia Drost, Priest-in-Charge  
Rev. Dr. Eileen Dumire  
Rev. Ted E. Durst  
Rev. Terri Echelbarger, Senior Pastor  
Gunhild Ettestoel, Secretary  
Thomas J. Fehr, Seminarian  
Bishop Diane Fisher  
Rev. Karen Foster  
Grace Garner, Legislative Assistant  
Rev. Charles Robert Garrison, Pastor  
Rev Debbie Gaston, Senior Pastor  
Rev. David Gillentine, Associate Pastor  
Rev. Jennifer Glass, Administrative Assistant  
Rev. Elizabeth Goudy, Pastor  
Rev. T. Paul Graetz, Senior Pastor  
Lan Green, Member and Chorister  
Bridget Wilson Hall  
Lee Hall, Alternate Lay Delegate  
Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, Senior Pastor  
Rev. Fr. Japé Heath, Priest  
Rev. Pat Hendrickson, Deacon  
Rev. Mick Hinson, Pastor  
Rev. Michael W. Hopkins, Rector  
Ralph Intorcio  
Rev. Anne James  
Rev. Johnathan C Jones, Pastor  
David Kato, Secretary  
Rev. Dr. Sherry L. Kennedy  
Debra Kolodny  
Adam Michael Kratt, Bishop  
Rev. Kurt A. Kuhwald  
Joel L. Kushner, Psy.D.  
Rev. Ken Ramon-Landry  
Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston  
Rev. Ron LaRocque, Interim Pastor  
David Lohman  
Rev. Samuel Loudenslager, Deacon  
Rev. Dr. Cindi Love  
Anthony Lucero  
Rev. Regen R. Luna, ULCS, Interim Pastoral Leader & Moderator  
Rev Rowland Jide Macaulay, Pastor  
Rev. Elder Debbie Martin, Pastor  
Rev. Elder Ken Martin  
Rev. Joe McMurray, Pastor  
Rev. Kerri Mesner, Senior Pastor  
Rev. Carolyn J. Mobley, Interim Pastor  
Rev. Robert P. Morrison  
Rev. Lance Mullins, Pastor  
Rev. Jill Nelson, Pastor  
Rev. Gard Realf H. Nielsen  
Rev. June Norris  
Rev. Susan B. P. Norris, Associate  
Rev. Dr. Frodo Okulam  
Rev. Dennis j. Parker, Interim Rector  
Rev. Vicki Pedersen, Pastor  
Rev. David M. Pelletier, Senor Pastor  
Troy D. Perry, Moderator Emeritus, Bishop  
Rev. Troy Plummer  
Rev. Cathy Porter, Pastor  
Rev. Linn Possell, Pastor  
Rev. Carolyn Dusty Pruitt  
Rev Hilde Raastad, Pastor  
Rev. Marge Ragona  
Sylvia Rhue, Ph.D.  
Rev. Canon Timothy T. Rich  
Rev. Jean M. Rowe, Minister Emerita  
Rev. Barbara S. Sagat, Pastor  
John Stockwell Samuels  
Rev. Joan M. Saniuk, Doctoral Researcher  
Barbara Satin, Faith Work Consultant  
Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser  
Rev. Dr. Candace R. Shultis, Pastor  
Rev. William G. Sinkford  
Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr, Presbyterian Minister  
Rev. Danny A. Spears, Pastor  
Nils Jøran Riedl, University Chaplain  
Rev. Robert E. Stiefel, Ph.D, Coordinator and Advisor  
Donald M Stitt  
Rev. Pressley Sutherland, Senior Pastor  
Rev. Tyrone P. Sweeting, Interim Pastor  
Rev. David B. Tarbet  
Rev. Angie Thinnes, Pastor  
Rev. Peter Trabaris, Senior Pastor  
Rev. Rebecca Voelkel, Faith Work Program Director  
Rev. Durrell Watkins, M.A., M.Div., Canon Precentor & Canon Pastor-elect  
Rev. Canon Daniel Weir, Rector  
Mike Wernick, Postulant for Holy Orders  
Rev. Carol Wise  
Rev. Kermie Wohlenhuas, Ph.D, Interim Minister  
Dawn Wolfe  
Rev. Sue Yarber  
Rev. Dr. C. Denise Yarbrough, Rector  
Rev. Edwin Yates, Pastor  
Rev. Nori Zeliff, Pastor  
Phillip Zimmerman, RSJ  

Related Material

US/Uganda: Bush, Museveni Should Talk Human Rights
Press Release, October 29, 2007

More of Human Rights Watch's work on LGBT Rights
Thematic Page

From: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/02/22/uganda18133.htm

© Copyright 2003, Human Rights Watch    350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor    New York, NY 10118-3299    USA

L´archevêque Desmond TUTU, le célèbre prix Nobel de la Paix,  critique l´Eglise et en particulier sa propre Eglise, l´Eglise Anglicane, pour son obsession de l´homosexualité. Il a répété dans une interview accordée cette fois à la BBC Radio 4 (émission programmée pour le 27 novembre) que Dieu doit en pleurer de voir son Eglise avoir des priorités aussi déplacées. Il critique aussi l´Archevêque de Canterbury parce que ce dernier ne met pas en évidence que Dieu est Dieu accueillant. L´Eglise est obsédée par les questions sexuelles alors que notre monde est en proie aux pandémies et à la pauvreté.  

L´Eglise anglicane, ajoute-t-il encore, s´est montréee particulièrement homophobe à l´occasion des débats qui ont conduit la nomination de Gene Robinson, un prêttre ouvertement gay,  à la dignité épiscopale (New Hampshire). Il en est attristé et a honte de ce qui s´est passé. Honteux aussi à cause de ceux qui prétendent ne pas accueillir des chrétiens en raison de leur orientation sexuelle. 

Si Dieu était homophobe, je ne vénérerais pas ce Dieu-là.

Il s´en est aussi pris aux conservateurs qui prétendent que l´homosexualité est un choix. C´est de la perversion que de prétendre cela. Il faudrait être fou de choisir un mode de vie qui vous expose à une telle haine. Ce serait comme de dire que vous choisissez d´être noir dans une société infectée par la haine raciale. 

Pendant cette émission, d´autres évêques conservateurs anglicans ont critiqué les vues de Desmond Tutu.

Source: le Sunday Herald de ce jour

http://www.sundayherald.com/news/heraldnews/display.var.1...

Voilà ce qu´a déclaré la semaine passée Desmond TUTU, le célèbre archevêque anglican et prix Nobel de la paix sud-africain, au journal espagnol EL PAIS, qui l´interviewait à bruxelles, à l´hôtel Conrad, où Desmond TUTU était de passage.

Dans cet article, l´archevêque se dit irrité par les églises actuelles qui continuent de condamner les homosexuels, qui n´acceptent pas le sacerdoce des femmes et qui ne s´occupent pas de ceux qui sont persécutés.

"Que diable se passe-t-il avec les églises? Comment est-il possible de lutter contre le racisme et non contre l´homophobie? L´orientation sexuelle ne se choisit pas. L´homophobie est également une forme d´apartheid: les Noirs ne choisissent pas d´être Noirs, les homosexuels non plus! (...) Je peux m´imaginer Dieu pleurant de voir le temps que son église perd à condamner les gays et les lesbiennes pendant que la moitié du monde meurt de faim et que le Sida fait des ravages considérables."

Voir en espagnol:

http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?chid=3&...

et Wikipedia:

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desmond_Tutu

Ce n´est pas la première fois que le Prix Nobel s´attaque à l´homophobie en la compararant à l´apartheid. Voir par exemple:

http://acswcccf.nb.ca/french/documents/HomophobiaFR.pdf