Controversial musician and pro-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Intersex (LGBTQI+) activist, Emmanuel Owusu-Bonsu popularly known as Wanluv the Kubolor has bemoaned alleged oppressions and discriminations against persons who are identified or perceived to be LGBTQI+.
According to him, persons who associate themselves with the so-called LGBTQI community or are perceived to be LGBTQI+ are abused and attacked by members of the general public with support from religious leaders and public office holders as a way of suppressing the exercise of their “rights”.
Taking on religious organizations for allegedly acting contrary to the teachings of their scriptures, the controversial personality likened LGBTQI+ persons to Jesus Christ in the Bible stating that they are “crucified” for being themselves.
He contended that religious organizations should have shown compassion and empathy towards LGBTQI persons by guarding against supposed attacks against them and not encourage what he said is the suppression of their rights. He believes the calls by faith-based organizations for the closure of the newly opened office of the LGBTQI+ Rights in Ghana is an infringement on their rights and departure from the teachings and principles of religion.
“All these religions speak of an empathetic God that they follow and yet we know LGBTQI people are being oppressed and we are not extending that same amount of empathy and so to me, metaphorically, the LGBTQI community in Ghana is Jesus of this time because they are being put on the cross and nailed for just being who they are,” he said.
Wanluv the Kubolor who is advocating for the recognition of the rights of LGBTQI+ persons in the country said the calls to close the office as well as pass legislation outlawing homosexuality and its related issues will set a precedent for the rights of other minority groups to be trampled upon. He is therefore calling on the general public to show compassion and empathy by accepting LGBTQI+ persons in their communities.
“After we take rights away from LGBTQI, we will find another group to take away their rights. So we have to be kind. We have to be compassionate, understanding and most of all empathetic,” he added.
His remarks come on the back of increasing calls from various faith-based organizations and Civil Society Groups for the closure of the newly opened LGBTQI+ office in Accra.
The latest to add their voice to the calls for the closure of the office is the Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council (GPCC). Apart from the closure of the office, the GPCC wants persons behind the opening of the office space to be arrested for alleged breach of the law and potential threat to the peace of the country. They are also calling on government to summon diplomats who reportedly attended the event organized for the commissioning of the office to answer questions pertaining to possible violation of the sovereignty of Ghana.
