Homosexuals Degrade Circumcision
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual
The South African constitution forbids discrimintion on sexual and affectional orientation. But a small culture war has broken out over the traditional rite of circumcision.
Traditionalists, however, view the circumcision of gays as degrading the ancient custom.
Buffalo City Traditional Circumcision Association chairman Olayi Nojokwana was vehemently opposed.
"If one wears panties, he cannot be circumcised traditionally. It must be done in hospital, not by a traditional surgeon. I'm totally against it."
Panties? My what a backward image of gay men.
Contralesa president Chief Patekile Holomisa said that while he supported Nonkonyana on the right to circumcision, he was against homosexuality in principle.
It should be dealt with by "sangomas or a traditional ceremony to cleanse the youth and calm the ancestors before sending a youth to the mountain".
Chief Ngangomhlaba Matanzima, of the House of Traditional Leaders, said he preferred to be neutral on the issue.
However, he said, while anyone with a penis should be circumcised, "if they call themselves ladies I don't see why they should go through the rites of passage which (are) traditionally for males".
Some one need to explain to the chief that very few gay men crossdress and many if not most crossdressers are heterosexual.