Q: What should I do if a family member, friend, colleague or any known LGBTIQ person is being victimized for their sexual orientation or gender identity.
A: Provide Support, Love and Assistance. There are different places that offer services of support and protection. The first step is local Police station so that the incidence or case is reported to authorities and recorded.
Q: Do Gay men want to be women? Do Lesbian women want to be men?
A: No, a Gay or Lesbian person is someone who is emotionally, romantically, sexually attracted to the persons of the same sex, they are not transitioning to be an opposite sex. Gay or Lesbian persons may dress or behave in feminine or masculine ways respectively, but that does not mean they want to be men or women respectively.
Q: Why are some people Transgender?
A: A person’s gender identity is caused by many factors including hormones, genetics and a person’s inner sense of self. Transgender people are not having an illness. Some transgender people choose to transform part or all of their sex anatomy by taking hormone treatment or surgically but it is not always the case. Others are just socially transitioning through character and choice of clothing.
Q: Are LGBTIQ people unAFRICAN?
A: LGBTIQ people exist in all cultures including African culture. In fact, there is rich history of gender and sexual diversity in many African Traditions. In some African societies, homosexuals, Intersex and Transgender people are celebrated and respected.
Q: Is LGBTIQ Anti-Religion or Unnatural?
A: No, a person’s sexuality is normal and natural part of that person. All religions preach Love, Tolerance and Respect for All People. Many religious and spiritual leaders preach that all people are free & equal and must be treated with dignity. Religion is a spiritual journey, not a physical or mental prison.
Q: Are LGBTIQ people Anti-Family?
A: No, like everyone else, LGBTIQ persons are part of families and form families. There are many different types of families in life. We have individual persons, partners, adopted, fostered, single mother, single father, mother and father, mother and mother, father and father, grandparents and care givers. LGBTIQ persons can also give natural births and also undergo medical procedures to reproduce.
Q: How do you tell if someone is LGBTIQ?
A: It is not possible to tell wether a person is LGBTIQ by just looking at them. Like the rest of the society, LGBTIQ people express themselves and live in many different ways. People should not be defined by the clothes they wear or how they behave, but by the way they feel and self-identify.
Q: Can LGBTIQ persons be cured?
A: No, LGBTIQ persons are not ill, so there is nothing that need to be cured. Whether a person is gay, lesbian or bisexual, it is not possible to change their sexual orientation. It is normal and natural part of who that person is. Similarly, Transgender and Intersex persons are not suffering from an illness, they are simply transforming to who they really are.
Q: Why are some people gay, lesbian or bisexual?
A: It is not clear what exactly causes people to be emotionally, romantically or sexually attracted to others. However factors that play a role are hormones, genetics and person’s own inner self. Homosexuality (LGBTIQ) is not an illness or a disease, it cannot be taught or cured. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Intersex persons do not influence another person’s sexual orientation. It is also not true that LGBTIQ people have necessarily been abused or mistreated as a child or is just going through a ‘phase’ in life.