MDC denies gay rights agenda, but wants rights for all

The MDC said that, contrary to reports in the Sunday Mail that the party was lobbying for the recognition of same-sex marriages, the party did not prescribe anything for the people, but would respect whatever position was taken by Zimbabweans on the issue.

The MDC slammed the claims that it was campaigning for gay rights to be included in the constitution as false and malicious.

The Sunday Mail alleged that the MDC was advocating for same sex- marriages, while Zanu (PF) was totally opposed. It further claimed the MDCs constitution principles made an explicit reference to gays and lesbians.

Clearly the story was written by someone who did not read the MDCs principles, or read them but was too shallow to understand them, an MDC spokesman said.

The MDC believes in a constitution with a strong and expanded bill of rights that provides for both primary and secondary rights, the spokesman said.

Nowhere in our principles document is there any reference to gays and lesbians. We simply believe in the entrenchment of peoples freedoms and that is why our position is that any amendment to the bill of rights will require a referendum.

A government-appointed select committee is ready to start work soliciting views and ideas to be included in a new constitution to replace the one agreed at independence 30 years ago.

President Robert Mugabe has been Africas fiercest and most persistent critic of homosexuality, which he has condemned as a Western import.

But despite this apparent hostility, members of the constitutional select committee spearheading the process believe that prospects are good for a constitutional change in favour of gay rights, saying it was wrong to assume that the views espoused by the President are shared by all Zimbabweans.

Gay activists say that any constitutional change has to be approved by the President, who is to receive the constitutional proposals at the end of November. Mugabe is homophobic and there is not much chance there, observers say.

Meanwhile Zimbabwes reclusive homosexual community is agitating that its rights be recognised and enshrined in the new constitution.

Most gay and lesbian people in Zimbabwe live in fear and are driven underground. This is blatant discrimination, the Gays and Lesbians Association of Zimbabwe (GALZ) said in a recent statement.

Homosexuals do not choose to be homosexual just as heterosexuals do not choose to be heterosexual. Choosing to be gay or lesbian in Zimbabwe would be lunacy given the levels of disapproval shown by many elements of society.