African Religious Leaders to Partner with the West in a Campaign to Fight Homophobia

By Editor

Many have used religion and culture as their basis for homophobia in Africa. However, a group of African American religious leaders under their umbrella organization, The fellowship Global (TFG) have defied the norm and started a campaign to fight against homophobia across the world.

The campaign will see the TFG traverse some of the world’s most homophobic countries like Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya. Led by the founders of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries Bishop Rev. Dr. Yvette and Bishop-Elect, Pastor Joseph Tolton, the group\s main mission is to advocate for inclusion, economic justice and the reconciliation of all people of African descent globally irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

TFG argues that all human beings are born equal and have a right to live freely and one’s sexual orientation should not be a basis for having their fundamental human rights denied. Interestingly, it has come to light that some African religious leaders have given their word to be a part of this campaign; a development the LGBTI community across the continent considers central progress to having the church change its stand on homosexuality.

Previously, religious leaders in Africa have either publicly condemned homosexuality or distanced themselves from the topic altogether. This will be the very first time a group of pastors from Uganda, Kenya, DRC, Rwanda and Cote d’ Ivoire will come together to pattern with the Western world to spread the gospel for a homophobia free Africa.

Talking to a few members of the LGBTI community in Uganda, they commended the religious leaders for their strength and courage to publicly address homophobia and for choosing to do what is right and impact change rather than hiding behind religion to bring more hate to the world.