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Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Doing Research on Gays in Addis

Ten days before, rather strange issue turn up on GayEthiopians group. A man with pseudo-name Zinabu Zenebe, who claims to be a professor at AAU, disclosed that he is preparing to make a research on gays in Addis but needs help from the community in order to do so.

Zinabu Zenebe, who is an assistant professor in AAU, has made researches on sexuality and HIV/AIDS among male street youths in Dessie. He strongly affirmed that on his researches, he instead used pseudo-names for security reasons of his informants; and that the same system will be applied on the impending research on gays in Addis.

But in a little while, some doubted Zinabu’s appeal, giving their opinion in a positive manner. While others accordingly alleged, it needs a careful look but will continue their support in any way they can. Consequently, Zinabu wrote a letter for the group, expressing his disappointment and that he may likely will discontinue it as he has precious little time. He said that he was expecting few to come forward and talk to him which none does that.

GayEthiopians Group Moderator, Muesik, replied to Zinabu,
…Nothing is guaranteed in this life....... so do what your gut tells you........ It would be nice if you succeed. But there is something you should know...... Unless you are GAY, it is very hard to understand why most of us are not coming forward..... or why we have some doubts.
So good luck

And Kassa, who keenly is supporting Zinabu by supplying past researches on gays, answered,
Even if you run short of time and could not meet this deadline, please keep the idea and work on it for another round some other time. Till, then hang around here in the group and you will learn more about us. As I said earlier, if you can modify your research some how to include the Ethiopian gays in the Diaspora, am sure you will get a fairly good sample size (I hope so).


And as the matter mainly center gays in Addis, I have asked Zinabu, what the GLBT community in Ethiopia gain out of the research? He replied,
I am sure that the study contributes in a positive way. The aim of my study is to increase understanding about the sexuality of men who have sex with men; identify the social, cultural, behavioral, and service delivery factors that place them at risk for STIs, including HIV/AIDS; and use this information to sensitize policymakers and programme managers to the need for interventions for this population. A key goal of the study is to conduct rigorous, ethical research that accurately captures the voices of men who have sex with men in Addis in order to inform policy and programme development. The study focuses on the experiences and perspectives of gays in order to develop interventions that respond to their needs. In additio n, in studying something is stepping stone to breaking the silence. It provokes other researchers and policy makers and may lead to social movement.


The above and alike constructive backups seem to make up Zinabu’s disappointment. But nothing is known up to what the research has gone so far. And nothing is clear whether the very problems have been solved or not.

Along these lines, EthioGLBT group set up a poll starting from Jan 14th [you can vote here.] The poll is devised to know the majorities point of view toward the research worthiness for the community. So far 11 voters have cast, in which 6 agree the research is worthy and safe to continue while the rest assert that it’s not safe.

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

Us Helping Us, grant free Safe-Sex Kit to EthioGLBT

Us Helping Us has provided a free safe-sex kit [Condoms and Lubricants] to EthioGLBT Group. Through our key member by pseudo name Sebastople, who have been making contacts with the organiziation, we are able to receive some 600 condoms and 200 lubricants. And the group moderator, pseudo name Sonic Casuist, will bring the condoms and the lubricants to Addis.

The group is grateful for the kind support of the organiziation and we hope this prolific relation will continue in the future. And we also would like to extend our thankfulness to Sebastople for his relentless support.