News / National
Gays, Lesbians attack Tsvangirai for castigating same-sex marriage
09 Mar 2013 at 00:25hrs | Views
The NewsDay reporta that Gays and Lesbians of Zimbabwe (Galz) yesterday took a swipe at Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for castigating same-sex marriage while addressing MDC-T supporters in Glen View on Wednesday.
"Galz is of the view that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's statements fuel public prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals and contradict the very preamble of a draft constitution that he is seemingly promoting," said the group in a statement.
Addressing his supporters at New Hall, the Premier described gays and lesbians as "problematic".
"In the draft constitution, we said marriage is between a man and a woman and those who want to marry another from the same sex, they have a problem. Why do you want to sleep with another man?" the Premier reportedly said.
Galz, however, insists Tsvangirai's statement was in contradiction of the draft constitution whose preamble reads in part: "United in our diversity by our desire for freedom, justice and equality, and our heroic resistance to colonialism, racism and all forms of domination . . ."
The gay rights group added: "His utterances justify that he has failed to practice and support a very important affirmation of the draft constitution. He also fails to uphold his commitment to human rights and the acceptance of diversity. The Prime Minister has been jolted into castigating violence in Headlands recently. However, we find him equally guilty of inciting violence and advocating hatred and hate speech on the LGBTI community in Zimbabwe."
"Galz is of the view that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's statements fuel public prejudice against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) individuals and contradict the very preamble of a draft constitution that he is seemingly promoting," said the group in a statement.
Addressing his supporters at New Hall, the Premier described gays and lesbians as "problematic".
"In the draft constitution, we said marriage is between a man and a woman and those who want to marry another from the same sex, they have a problem. Why do you want to sleep with another man?" the Premier reportedly said.
Galz, however, insists Tsvangirai's statement was in contradiction of the draft constitution whose preamble reads in part: "United in our diversity by our desire for freedom, justice and equality, and our heroic resistance to colonialism, racism and all forms of domination . . ."
The gay rights group added: "His utterances justify that he has failed to practice and support a very important affirmation of the draft constitution. He also fails to uphold his commitment to human rights and the acceptance of diversity. The Prime Minister has been jolted into castigating violence in Headlands recently. However, we find him equally guilty of inciting violence and advocating hatred and hate speech on the LGBTI community in Zimbabwe."
Source - NewsDay
