You are cordially invited to the September GR@UP Seminar:
Presented by, Susan Haskins of the University of Pretoria, Department of Ancient Languages
Date: Thursday 25th September 2014
Time: 15h30 – 17h00
Place: Research Commons Seminar Room, 4th Level, Merenskey Library, Hatfield
In recent years there has been a surge of homophobia across Africa. Among the arguments of this discourse against homosexuality, is that homosexuality is a pattern of behaviour not an orientation, that such behaviour is an import from the West and as such unAfrican. Paradoxically, this discourse also argues that homosexuality is against religion, where the religion referred to is Christianity, another Western import. However, one of the most dangerous manifestations of homophobia, especially in the former British colonies of sub-Saharan Africa, has been attempts not just to socially condemn but to legally prosecute homosexual acts.
Such legal persecution has been possible due to the presence within the Penal Code of these countries of laws against ‘unnatural’ sexual acts. These laws can be traced back not just to Britain but to the first codified laws against same-sex acts in the West, namely the laws of the Roman Empire. This study examines the Roman laws on same-sex acts and the consequent creation of a legal concept of sexuality. It then illustrates how, due to the influence of these laws on the formulation of Victorian laws on unnatural acts, the Roman legal concept of sexuality underlies the laws which exist in former British colonies in Africa today. Consequently, this ancient, alien concept is being used to prosecute homosexuality in Africa. Perhaps understanding the socio-historical context of the legal concept of sexuality behind the Roman laws may assist in subverting the law argument of the African homophobic discourse.
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