Though it’s first use was recorded as having occurred in 1926, the term pans3xuality, is relatively unknown as proven by its use in recent days.
Merriam-Webster defines pans3xuality as 1: Of, relating to, or characterized by s3xual desire or attraction that is not limited to people of a particular gender identity or s3xual orientation.
Pans3xual people are attracted to all kinds of people, regardless of their gender, s3x or presentation. —Farhana Khan.
Singer, songwriter, model and actress Janell Monáe has also popularized the word by her recent admission of identifying with pans3xual persons.
She stated, “someone who has been in relationships with both men and women – I consider myself to be a free-a$$ m0therfcker.” She continued, “but then later I read about pans3xuality and was like, ‘Oh, these are things that I identify with too.”
What Does “Pans3xual” Mean? | InQueery | them.
It’s imperative to note that being anything outside of heteros3xual ideals do not resonate with many African customs and norms.
Patriarchal influence reigns supreme in most African lands and anything outside of that is staunchly frowned upon. Patriarchy calls for men being the forefront of carrying a family’s legacy.
If the man is not able or willing to procreate, the bloodline is threatened. Men are expected to fulfil roles that are considered “masculine;” some homos3xual men do not fit this criterion.
This does not mean that s3xual homosexuality isn’t practised. Deborah P. Amory explores this notion and states, “The fact of the matter is that there is a long history of diverse African peoples engaging in same-s3x relations.”
Despite the aforementioned, this is clearly happening as evidenced by formations of organizations geared towards lesbian, gay, bis3xual and transgender (LGBT) rights.
The South African constitution explicitly bans discrimination towards homos3xual individuals. Zimbabwe has an Association of LGBTI People in Zimbabwe and Association Shams in Tunisia both aim to address the fact that homos3xuals exist in parts of Africa and advocate for the rights of those who identify as homos3xual.
To the far left of these are statements of disdain against those who practice homos3xuality such as those made by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni: “gay relationships were against God’s will.”
Former Gambian president Yahya Jammeh said during a speech delivered on September 27, 2013, to the United Nations, “We will fight these vermins called homos3xuals or gays the same way we are fighting malaria-causing mosquitoes, if not more aggressively.”
No matter how the matter is dissected, it is evident that this an issue that some wish to sweep under the rug.
So will or can pans3xuality and other s3xual groups that don’t fit the conventional expectations of African societies be accepted, or tolerated?
Here are some views on Twitter:
When I have challenged people who are anti-gay, many have said that it is not our culture. However, when you probe further, they argue that homos3xuality is not in the Bible. But the Bible is not our historical culture. This shows there is real confusion about Africa’s past.
— Drama Queens (@dramaqueensgh) April 30, 2018
In Boy-Wives and Female Husbands, a book examining homos3xuality and feminism in Africa, the researchers found ‘‘explicit” Bushman artwork that depicts men engaging in same-s3x s3xual activity.
— Drama Queens (@dramaqueensgh) April 30, 2018
People should do whatever they want with their lives – Kidi on homos3xuality in Ghana https://t.co/jdxtAIVFHu vía @Adomonline
— LGTBI AFRICA (@LGTBIAFRICA) April 30, 2018
Craziest thing I’ve heard today “homos3xuality doesn’t have an indigenous name so it didn’t exist in Africa” Yes, heteros3xuality also didn’t have an indigenous name, I guess that didn’t exist either huh? Think! pic.twitter.com/NMjezAiFz0
— African LGBT History (@kuukielicious) April 29, 2018
And like she said, that book & other accounts on homos3xuality on our continent predates the West’s approval of homos3xuality.
If in anything, I remember reading a missionary’s account of “trans” people in East Africa as one of the reasons why he needed more missionaries
— M (@westafricanah) April 29, 2018
Are you trying to tell people that homos3xuality was normal in Africa before invasion and colonialism? ???
— Mr S.S Mbambo (@SifundoMbambo) April 29, 2018
Homos3xuality exists and in Africa we don’t like to talk about it. Homos3xuality is a sin.
(Romans 1:26 -27)#S3xplicit
— dcclagos (@dcclagos) April 29, 2018
Hypocrisy….Homos3xuality is not a thingoe culture In Africa and we aren’t gonna be pushed to accept it.
— NewnessLali (@akeeBIGGG) April 28, 2018
Did you just mention “Colonial heritage homophobia”??
As an African, I believe your words are so ignorant. Africans have NEVER been homophobic because homos3xuality has NEVER existed in Africa.
We are now being forced to accept something we NEVER had!
— Vincent Osiemo Keroro (@vinny_wa_) April 27, 2018
