Pride - Embrancing diversity. LGBTQ campaign in Angola, by Sofonie Dala

Angola has decriminalized homosexuality. What's your opinion?

Ladies and gentlemen,

Welcome to our new campaign "Embrancing Diversity - LGBTQ in Angola"!

We are happy to launch this program, alluding to the LGBT Pride Month celebrated in June.

The main heroes of our program are the most ordinary citizens of different ages and regions. These people will share with us how they view the LGBTQ community in the country.

Angola has decriminalized homosexuality — 133 years after the passage banning same-sex relations was included in the country's penal code when the southwest African nation was still a Portuguese colony. The so-called "vices against nature" provision in its law could send same-sex couples to prison.

Angola is a religious country, Christianity in Angola has existed since 1491. Today 80% of Angolans practice some form of Christianity. Christians have the Holy Bible as their guide to eternal life. Those Christians who oppose same-sex marriage saying it goes against the biblical conception of marriage and sexuality, they base themselves on the book of Leviticus as one of the books that speaks against homosexuality in the bible: “Do not practice homosexuality, having sex with another man as with a woman. It is a detestable sin. Leviticus 18:22 — The New King James Version (NKJV).

Interviews. What is the public's opinion? Agree or disagree?

Today we have two guests of completely different age, sex and opinion.

What is the opinion of this 67 year old man?

Good afternoon!

Good afternoon.

Please, can you tell us your age?

I am 67 years old.

Angola has decriminalized homosexuality. Do you agree or disagree?

I do not agree.

Why?

Because it's always nice to have a girlfriend.

Why exactly?

Because man with man doesn't work. It has to be just a woman with a man.

This 15-year-old girl thinks completely different

Good afternoon girl!

Good afternoon.

What is your name?

My name is Edvania.

How old are you?

I'm 15 years old.

What do you think of homosexuality in Angola?

Honestly speaking I think this is normal. A man liking another man like him... I can't explain.

But for me it's something basic that can happen from one day to the next (overnight).

So, do you agree with the new government law?

Yes I agree.

We promote equal rights for all. It doesn't matter who you are or who you love. Through our #EmbrancingDiversity  program, we work for the inclusion and non-discrimination of LGBTIQ+ people in Angola.

We have zero-tolerance for discrimination and does not discriminate on the basis of  race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

The next webisodes will be released on this platform:

http://wegotthisangola.blogspot.com/

Stay tuned, the sequel follows...