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ZIMBABWE BANS GAY & LESBIAN FREE SPEECH (fwd)
Robert Johnson (johnsorl@COLORADO.EDU)
Sat, 12 Aug 1995 03:04:36 -0600
>
>********************* ************ ************ **************
> ZIMBABWE BANS GAY & LESBIAN FREE SPEECH
> ************************* ******************* ****************
>
> August 1: Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe has expelled the Gays and
>Lesbians of Zimbabwe organization from participating in the Zimbabwe
>International Book Fair.
>
>President Mugabe then officially opened the Book Fair with a
>speech filled with wild vituperations:
>
> "I find it outrageous and repugnant to my human conscience that
>such immoral and repulsive organizations like those of homosexuals,
>who offend both agents of the law of nature and the morals and
>religious beliefs espoused by our society, should have any advocates
>in our midst or even elsewhere in the world."
>
> "If we accept homosexuality as a right, as is being argued by the
>association of sodomists and sexual perverts, what moral fibre shall
>our society ever have to deny organised drug addicts or even those
>given to bestiality the rights they might claim and allege they
>8possess under the rubrics of individual freedoms and human rights,
>including freedom of the press to publicize literature on them?"
>
>When asked about the rights of gays, Mugabe reported: "We don't
>believe they have any rights at all."
>Coincidently?, the Zimbabwe International Book Fair's theme is
>devoted to international human rights and justice.
>
>
>WHAT INFLUENCE DO YOU HAVE?
>
>It is vital that this hatred does not go unanswered. Mugabe
>has laid challenge to worldwide advocates of nondiscrimination. His
>attack on freedom of expression should be addressed appropriately.
>Namely, FAX, phone, or write to the Zimbabwe Embassy to express your
>outrage:
>
>Zimbabwe Embassy
>1608 New Hemisphere Ave, NW
>Washington, D.C. 2009
>
>FAX: (202) 438-9326
>Tel: (202) 332-7100
>
>*also, if possible, please "CC" a copy of your protest to the South
>African-based organization, National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian
>Equality via email: coalgr@aztec.co.za
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