The original version of this article can be found on the Internet, but please note that I've

te OK ok The original version of this article can be found on the Internet, but please note that I've done some editing for clarity. Here's the original: http://carnalnation.com/content/46266/1 133/sexual-abcs-africa-part-3-condoms ACTIVISM: [theory] Colonized Libidos This article was published at CarnalNation.com in early 2010. Anti-oppression theory sure can get out of touch with reality. te ok ok Colonized Libidos The situation for gay / lesbian rights here in Africa has gotten lots of media attention lately, and I myself have written about meeting a Swazi lesbian activist who was later murdered. So I won't waste your time by talking about how bad it can get to be gay here (although it's worth noting that I've seen at least one interesting argument about how the places in Africa where homosexuality is most heavily punished are also the ones with the strongest national dialogue, and thus arguably some of the best ones to actually be gay). Besides, I've become somewhat numb to the situation's sheer awfulness since arriving last year. What catches my attention these days is unfamiliar cultural angles and arguments. While reading the local paper, I recently came upon yet another gay-shaming article -- but instead of railing about God's will, the article talked about cultural imperialism. Specifically, it argued that gays and lesbians are gay and lesbian only because of the West. Gays and lesbians, the theory goes, have been so influenced by the Sodom and Gomorrah that is the West that they've internalized our permissive, scandalous sexual mores. (Those of us who actually come from the West are, of course, a little confused by how our fractured native cultures -- still fiercely arguing about homosexuality within themselves -- might create such an influence.) An African proud of his or her Africanness, who rejects the colonial West, will therefore not only wear African traditional garb and participate in African traditional ceremonies but will also be straight. (Ironically, some historians have pointed out that much of Africa was much less homophobic before Western missionaries came in.) I got a front-line view of this attitude when I took a newspaper to the Post Office for photocopying. "Another article about lesbians!" snorted the postmaster -- they're getting to know me around there. He took the papers from me and shuffled through my requested pages. "Is it true,” he asked, "that President Obama supports lesbians?” "Yes," I said. HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_018594