ADDIS ABABA: The fear of gay people in East Africa is at an all-time high, with over 90 percent of Ethiopians and East Africans scared of lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBT). The question, as reports of the introduction of the death penalty for gay people begins to mount, is why this is the case. Bikyanews.com reported over the past year a great deal on the battle for gay rights in Ethiopia and the murder-like reaction that talking about being gay brings about in the country. We have spoken to gay men, lesbians and numerous others who remain in hiding, anonymous to their families, and often their friends. What was surprising to me, as a reporter, was the virulent and violent nature of the comments that arose from reporting on a few peoples' efforts to live a normal, equal life in a country that supposedly prides itself on its peaceful nature. A number of comments and angry emails have been flowing in that call for the death of Ethiopia's small lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. “kill them all these rubbish people ,the country never allowed this kind of community," one comment at the end of the article stated. In yet another, a user linked anti-LGBT sentiment to the Bible in claiming that Ethiopia's LGBT community should leave the country or face reprisals. “No the same sex marriage in Ethiopia because that is the historical and Christianity country so that is the better thing ...in the bible also not allow to be same sex marriage it is a big sin ..sorry for you guys who is the gay ppls ...shame on you ...also," it read. The article detailed a young man who was hopeful that Ethiopians were becoming more accepting and open to the gay community, but the comments show that there remains a staunch anti-LGBT sentiment in the East African country. “Sometimes you just can get around those types of people," David Emete, the man featured in the article, told Bikyanews.com after seeing the comments. “If they don't understand or meet gay people, they won't know better." This highlighted for me a personal issue about whether or not we should be reporting on such a contentious issue that could see the death of a source if their identity went public. It is a struggle that many reporters face across Africa, where the death penalty and other jail terms are on the books for homosexual activity. In the end, we believe that by reporting on these very real issues that affect more than a handful of Ethiopians we can educate the world on the happenings in the LGBT community in Ethiopia and across Africa. It is our duty as newsmakers to tell stories as accurately as possible. It is frustrating to see the calls for death to fellow citizens, my citizens, but hopefully by writing about these issues, more and more Ethiopians will begin to see that being gay is not something to be afraid of. BN
