A Rwandan Gospel Singer Has Come Out And The Country Is Shocked
Rwanda is a country where a public assertion of homosexuality is unheard of. Although not as anti-gay as other parts of Africa, homosexuality is still widely despised in Rwanda and LGBT+ people keep a low profile.
But, Albert Nabonibo, a gospel singer in Rwanda, got the courage and revealed he is gay in an interview with a Christian Youtube channel.
In an interview in Kigali he said he came out in order to live normally and although the reaction he received has been mostly “horrible” he adds: “But there is no going back, because I have to live my real life. It’s so sad to see people you know abusing you.”
William Ntwali, a Rwandan human rights activist, said society in the country still stigmatizes gay people even when they are safe under the law.
“If you are gay, members of your community ostracize you,” he said. “People think you are not normal, and they look at it as an abomination.”
Unfortunately, that was backed by the Associated Press who talked to some of Nabonibo’s best friends who said they were too embarrassed to even talk about him.
“This is crazy. I don’t understand why he thinks this is normal,” said one friend who asked to remain anonymous because “it is too shameful”.
In a country where most homosexuals are forced to live underground lifestyles in order to avoid the harsh judgment of society, Nabonibo’s brave decision to be open about who he is might be the first step to others following his example and openly make homosexuality a part of Rwandan society.
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