The Mandela fellows have discussed many different issues since coming to Bridgewater. Thursday, when former Congressman Barney Frank addressed the group, his topic provoked the most intense debate yet.
The openly gay Frank spoke about same-sex marriage, now legal in Massachusetts and other states, as well as GLBTA rights in general.
Homosexuality is illegal in some African countries, while gay and lesbian people are persecuted in others. The stage was set for a culture clash.
Congressman Frank, who was first elected to the U.S. House in 1980, came out publicly as gay in 1987, and retired in 2012. At one point, his opponents told voters that if he was re-elected Frank would promote a radical homosexual agenda.
“I was for gay and lesbian people to have the right to get married, the right to have a job and the right to be in the military,” he said. “Does that sound radical? That sounds pretty middle class to me.”
After his short address, Rep. Frank opened the floor to questions. Mahlet Tesfaye Zewdie of Ethiopia said that a country’s laws on homosexuality reflected the will of that society and had deep cultural roots. Therefore, they were justified. Meanwhile, Henry Kuloba, a lawyer from Uganda, spoke about the controversy in his country over gay couples adopting children.
While Rep. Frank felt the ideal situation was that a married man and woman adopt, when that option was not available, most certainly a gay couple should be considered.
Some of the fellows argued that they felt as if a homosexual agenda was being forced upon their countries. Others said it would take time to change practices, mores and beliefs that have long been a part of their country’s history, just as it had in the U.S. Congressman Frank said he wasn’t seeking the legalization of gay marriage or adoption rights for gay parents (though he argued that these practices, plus gays in the military have had “zero negative effect” in the U.S.), but only the end of discrimination and persecution.
“It’s morally wrong,” he said. “All we ask for is people not be denied their rights.”
Overall, the discussion, which grew loud at times, lasted almost two hours. (Story by John Winters, G’11, University News & Media)
