Four Seasons

(Could it be our Four Seasons?)
Article contributed by, Hodeye
Moderator of EthioGLBT (North America Division)


When we browse Homosexuality in Ethiopia in the past, unlike our rich history, it is something of a blank. As most of us knew, tradition and culture is a key element for all habesha people in this world. I don't know why I start to write this but I felt we need something different and I want to bring up this for today.

By experience when we are aware of our homosexuality we felt that we are the only Ethiopian one that exists in this world until we meet someone. After that if we are lucky we might find others, though we will plan our future by formulating our own identity.

This identity is my topic for today. After I start meeting up with habesha gays I noticed they categorized themselves in several classes. Only for this posting, I want to categorize them in four classes and on top of that I will name them with easy things to remember. Just like seasons, I would say we have Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring kind of identity we have.

Lets start up with Summer boys. These hot guys just like the summer sunshine, they are rare and hard to find and they don't care about their sexuality at all. Some of them even work at open gay places as striper, promoter or whatever job there is out there. They live their life as destined by God. To live such a wonderful free life though, they have to pay heavy price. They are anti socialized with their fellow Ethiopians because of their outness. Unfortunately, though thanks to rigid tradition and culture, it is unthinkable for straight Habeshas to accept another homosexual habesha.

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When we go to the Fall seasons ones, I was trying to put here people who are very skeptical. These ones know they are gays but they want to do all their staff secretly. They don't look or act as gays, on top of that they rarely go out to the clubs. Only they want to do it when they feel the urge. If they are young, they pretend to have girlfriends to kid themselves or close friends. If they are older, mostly they have wife and kids to accompany their long journey in life. They really live two double life, one for themselves and the other one, for friends and family's, mostly though in this case for family. The funniest thing is how they try to separate the respective life styles. I bet you here, if they put their resume on line they can get nice careers out of it.

Lets move to Winter boys, my special ones, I don't know why but I have some soft spots in my hearts for this category boys. Mainly, I have been there not so long ago. Here and there, I hear some sort of stories about winter boys in one way or another I feel their pain. I want to associate wintry boys with the winter dark and cold. They are in deep closet and they never had any experience with another human beings. They never been in ghetto places, their only fantasies are limited on cute guys on the street and Hollywood hot actors. Basically, they are handicapped to live their life for so many hidden reasons. Some of them have complicated situation, some of them are not mentally ready to go to the next level. The next level would enlighten their life entirely. Other who passed in this route should help out this folk's life, left and right.

Last but not least, come Spring boys. These are the luckiest ones and they do all the gay activity clubbing, going out with their boys and don't care about their identity that much. The good thing about them is since they are in between summer and winter they can get the both benefit with out heavy price. Benefits like not being reject by their own community. I get a chance to meet guys in this category even though I would like to appreciate their effort to live life at the fullest, I must say though; I am a little disappointed in the lack of unity shown between them. Most of habeshas gays who are in this categories can do a lot things for others (by saying this for other I was trying to say for the distant gay) for instance, if someone from summer boys come out and want to share his problems, he wouldn't get that much response from others.

One of this group member, once, put his personal number here and when I asked him if he gets any response out of it, he told me he didn't get any. The fall and winter boys have some other problems to solve with, let alone to do some gathering. The reason I start up writing this, is at this point of in time, it is essential first to let know where did we stand. If we know our position, we can go forward with more opportunity. I also want to ask people are they happy with their life and life styles? If they don't, what do they want to change?

" Ability is of little account without opportunity"
- Napoleon Bonaparte

Online forums, blogs, articles on
Homosexuality and Ethiopia

Although it's not in big extent, it's noticeable. Even if for the most part it's dreary, it's praiseworthy. Lately, few Ethiopian websites/blogs are giving due attention to homosexuality in Ethiopia. Be it for a positive outcome or merely just to discourse, my admiration goes for the darers to instigating the issue.

It wouldn't be a tall tale at all, if one evoke, homosexuality is becoming more common in our society than prior days, after observing recent developments.

The other day while I was just browsing on Ethiopian GLBT related links, I have come across an interesting results I haven't seen before and thought, there could be others who have missed it like me, so why not put them all together here - both the known and unknowns.

Apparently, in the forums, most discussions lack decency and civility especially due to ultra-conservatives' one-sided posture and hatred. But this is not the case on CyberEthiopia website in the Warka Forum section. Entitled 'Homosexuality...what lies underneath,' the forum mainly tries to examine the cause of homosexuality and hence, encompass studies that try to reason out. And remarkably enough, one of the forum members forwarded EthioGLBT group's promotion message. (Thanks to whoever who did that). Read More
[For people in Addis, if you encounter difficulty with the above link, check it through Secure Tunnel, HERE.]

And we're all acquainted with this one and perhaps, have already had a say on it, as it might be the first to raise such issues on Ethiopian blog. Meskel Square's - Holding Hands article was one of the most popular, if not the leading, that grasped everybody's attention and made many to contribute their thoughts. Read More

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Here are other miscellaneous links worth read-through:

Leoul Goshu on Nazret News Portal - The Young and the Homeless
First appeared on The Daily which then shortly, the Ethiopian News Portal, Nazret.com post it in it's EthioBlog. The piece portrays the hardship, a young gay Ethiopian had gone through in US and how he managed to stand up for his rights. But, in a while, his story envisioned another issue among readers. Issue if I can put it like, 'Ethiopia & Homosexuality'. As many as our homophobic citizens, many of the comments offered are negative. Read More
For viewers in Addis, check it here

My Fashion's Gay Ethiopians Behind the Mask - Meskel Square Review
On its third issue, the first glossy fashion magazine of the country dare to deal with minorities' way of life, no matter how the majority of the society try to overlook it. Here is Andrew Heavens, the man behind Meskel Square, analyzing My Fashion Magazine's article. Read More

Leoul Goshu on Seattle Times

- Students hope Day of Silence sends message loud and clear
Cara Solomon at the Seattle Times tells us how the National Silence Day had an impact to convey the message - tolerating the presence of GLBT youths in the society. Along with Leoul Goshu's personal experience and others, the author had a wide look on the pressure GLBT youths are challenging in their social life. Read More

Haile Selassie's view towards Homosexuals
RastafariSpeaks.com, a Pro-Rastafariansim website, extraordinarily raise an issue, whether the Emperor was against homosexuality or not during his rule. Look what it takes the enthusiastic members of the forum to come up with the conclusion. Read More

Wikipedia - Gay Rights in Ethiopia
Accurate information about Ethiopia's constitutional stance towards homosexuality. You can also find other related figures regarding the country's deal with homosexual. Read More

Homosexuality in Ethiopia
The original story first appeared on Behind the Mask website. A three parts commentary by a gay Ethiopian living in South Africa. He tells of threatening conditions and persecution of LGBT people in his native country. Read More

Ethiopian gays are organizing themselves in Washington D.C.
Sebastople, one of those behind said that "we feel proud to announce that the gay Ethiopians in D.C are busy preparing for the annual Ethiopian Gay Summit Pride parade on June 11 2005 at Washington DC...They feel its time that they raise a flag of their country with the gay flag alongside..." Read More

We are Gay and Ethiopian
In the struggle for gay equality, it's important to at least get others to listen to what we have to say. Not because we have to get a majority of people on our side: civil rights does not (or more accurately, isn't supposed to) depend on majority approval... Until we learn how to fight oppression systematically, all we can really do is... Read More

SGL Revolution in Addis Ababa
Here is a post fom the EthioGLBT yahoo group; a stunning report on how SGL life is taking more public and private space. The site emerged from the successful gayethiopians yahoo group with about 300 members, mostly in the diaspora and moderated in the US. Read More

Enjoy them all and prepare yourself to be the next headliner! :)

When is the opening of the Africa Park?

Is the event shortly to be held in the park, for its inauguration?

For years, Addis dwellers have been waiting for it's launch and yet, still not opened for public. Though it looks finished, you can happen to see few workers doing something that I'm not exactly aware of. The greenery, the simple fence and the pavement with stylish carved blocks, gave it all the grace and the stamina to stay as one of the great features of the city.

Located in between the Palace at Menelik II Avenue and headquarter of ECA (Economic Commission for Africa), Africa Park was established by the founding fathers of OAU. On the establishment day, H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, Jomo Kenyatta, Kwame Nekrumah, Julius Nyerere and other leaders of African nations were in attendance to have planted trees as a sign of unity among nations, striving to peace and growth of their continent.

Considered to be since the military regime, the park started to deteriorate and not until recently, Sheik Mohammed Alamoudi felt he had to do something with it. The billionaire decided to renovate the park with considerable amount of investment and once again, the current leaders of Africa were available to implant their own trees to mark they have enhanced OAU to AU, targeting mainly on economic and social development along with spreading 'democracy'.

Recently, when I passed through that road, I saw people engaged with building sort of a stage. I speculated is the long awaited paradise to be opened, which then I decided to go back in a while. I managed to ask the guardian, when the park will be opened but nor does he has any clue as to when but he suppose the stages being constructed at the moment right in front of the flags scenery, could be for the inauguration but, still not certain.

It's been three years since the renovation operation commenced, as the guardian affirmed and that it's likely the park to be opened soon for the public as most part of the renovation is completed. He told me that most of the trees planted by the founding fathers still exist today and in fact, he pointed at the tree planted by his H.I.M. Haile Selassie I, even though I failed to spot.

The park also consists children playing field, waterfall sceneries and cottage-like bungalows likely to be shops and/or cafes.

And no doubt such places will turnout to be a good environment to link up. When feeling lonely and opt to spend the time admiring nature, another person trapped in same situation is likely to be found there. And searching and finding love in that 'piece of heaven,' could become the parks ideal feature.

UPDATE l NOV 17, 2006 l 8:36 PM

Just a moment ago, I was at the barbershop and then I headed to home and on my way I saw a crowd at Meskel Square, all of them gazing at big plasma screen. And I gave a glance - it's a music concert. I asked one of the guys, what is it all about. He told me it's a live transmission of a music concert from Africa Park. What for was my subsequent question and he told me, it's an event arranged for the current assembly of the African leaders.

I just switched my route and headed to Africa Park. I began to hear sounds from distant though not clear enough to grasp. And when I reached there, I saw a tight security of the Federal Police, standing in every corner. And many cars parked around the fences. I tried to take pictures but couldn't do so, as people around the fences made crowd and at the same time, the federal police are demanding the people to disperse. But inside, there is a huge spectator sitting and chanting around the flag area. The music I heard is African tune and it sounds fine. At the back of the crowd there is a kind of buffet - and this is the time I had enough. :) I'm starving like hell and I better get home to have my dinner.

Overall, the event isn't for the inauguration of the Africa Park but arranged for the African leaders assemblies and I suppose, Koffi Annan is attending as well.

Gay spots in Addis

It's amazing how nature always has the power to withstand man-made beliefs that attempts to bar it. This is so true when you happen to witness, in one of the most conservative society, homosexuals link up with one another so secretly, to satisfy their essence needs. Addis is such a good example that has got all the fascinating stories.

Not until I became a member of GayEthiopians group and then, met gay guys, which ultimately I have become aware of gay spots in Addis. At first, I thought it was merely a craving although I was eager to check it out.

It's one of the busiest areas in Addis, where the populace always known to be on the move even though at one time, many considered the area has calm down. But to my surprise, as I have heard about it at all times, this area is 'off the hook' and yet coming back bigger and better without breaking it's real characteristic.

I went there with good friend of mine who happen to have little clues about the spot than me. Even though I don't recall exactly what happened on the first days we went there, I do remember one thing that I was disappointed since I haven't felt the ambiance of the 'gay spot.' I remember we have seen guys but not sure whether they're there to link up or ordinary regulars who just came to have fun. And I said, is this the place where people really claim to be the gay spot!? However, I haven't stopped going, as I haven't renounced and as I also want such a place to exist.

Shortly, in one of the nights we were there, we begin to see guys together and from day to day; I begin to differentiate who seem to be gay, from the way they dress to the way they act. Some of the guy's outfit is so stereotype that you will be able to notice them quickly. Tight top and pants accompanied by their sexy walk tells all to be told.

How to hook up then? I have never managed to do that but grasped the tips on how it's done. Eye Contact is perhaps the prime method to hook up at such spots. If you can see without blinking and eventually, if you dare to pass by and wait by the exit, surely he will crop up from somewhere but, only if he is interested in you. If not, get back to your sit, engage with browsing again and try your next luck. If passing by is so plain for you, you can pretend as you're talking on cell-phone at the entrance as some prefer to do that or you just can go to toilet.

This amazed me greatly at that time but in due time, to an ever greater incomprehension, where we witnessed guys dancing together and holding each other dearly. Not only these, hardly ever, we happen to see guys kissing each other.

Once, I went there with two friends of mine. None scene to be seen where one of my friend decided, why we return back without nothing so long as we can be one of the performers. He insisted me and our other friend to kiss in the middle of straight crowds and waiters. Actually, it wasn't packed as usual but few individuals were there. And yes, we did kiss and the next thing I know is nothing happened, no attack, no tag behind my back - I'm here breathing - talking about it.

GayEthiopians.com plea
keen members' to donate


The first and the largest online group, GayEthiopians, recently appealed to its interested members to donate for the survival of it's newly founded official website. The new site, www.gayethiopians.com, is based in US, founded and supported by devoted gay individuals.

The new site is easier to access and on top of that it has many features than the other site as it has news section and professional forum. But up till now, for an ambiguous reasons, the site's members don't exceed 30 and isn't active as well. It seems most members preferred to keep conversing on the initial group.

As the volunteer team behind the website stated, the hosting service requires 83.50 USD per year excluding the cost of the domain name which is being paid by few of the team members.

'If you have any comments/questions or are willing to help out, you can contact us,' says the team, 'at gayethiopians@yahoo.com.'

Initiating dialogue
on society's human right
and the prospect of minority groups

Action Professional Association for the People (APAP) is a local non-partisan and non governmental organization established in 1993 with an aim to provide legal and professional services to the poor, women and children. Lately, the organization formulated a new approach, which is currently being put into practice that focuses on economic, social, and structural rights with particular emphasis on the right to housing, health, education and food.

Recently, on Thursday November 2, 2006, the organization in collaboration with Tame Sol Communications inaugurated a new edutainment drama at the Hilton Addis. Ato Debebe H/Giorgis, APAP Managing Director, told Capital that the main purpose of edutainment drama is to disseminate information and understanding of legal concepts and rights of various members of the society.

The 20 minutes Yebet Serategnawa Tarik drama issues the rights of home maids underlining most of the maids in the country come across mistreatment. Most home maids in Ethiopia don't have a fixed working hours, which they are deprived of having their own social life, like contacting and spending time with friends and beyond that sexual harassment that has been ignored to date due to society's downgrading attitude.

Ato Debebe told Capital that his organization is planning to support the program on a continuous basis if the same support exists from the electronic media. For the moment, the organization selected Ethiopian Television to present a weekly forum that is devised to initiate discussions among the spectators to achieve a better remedy for such issues.

Such an organization like APAP could benefit a minority group like ours that is disregarded in the community for traditional beliefs. The professionals can come up with a presentation stressing a need for the ratification of laws to secure rights of 'ignored members' of the society and they will try to do so by inducing the community through dialogue.

Certainly to some extent, the progression necessitates the active involvement of the minorities. We must be able to approach organizations like APAP to assist us on alleviating our problems. It's with cooperating with such organization that we can achieve our dreams. We have to overcome our fear of emergence, which is playing a greater role in hampering us from moving ahead. For how long are we going to detain ourselves with the excuse of fear? We can't afford other phenomenon, 'fear' in excess of prejudice.

Our community has waited long enough and apparently very little it gained from. It's time where we are provided opportunities than ever before and for us to use them prudently to create awareness that homosexuality exists in the community. But once more, the bigger question underlies, are we ready to get involved? Or, at least, are we trying our utmost to get involved?

Charge empty of
concrete proofs
Teddy accused of hit-and-run car accident

Ethiopian Icon, musician, songwriter and producer,
Tewodros Kassahun alias Teddy Afro was released
on bail yesterday after being held in Police custody
as of Friday November 3, 2006, for allegedly hit-and-run
car accident that cause a death of a homeless, young boy.

Police claim (from Fortune Newspaper):
A man claiming to be taxi driver called the police and gave the plate number of a BMW that had allegedly caused the accident. A car with the same number later collided with a concrete barricade in the CMC area near Lucy Academy. The sources said that the car was registered under Teddy Afro's name.

Teddy appeared at court on Friday, where the court adjourned the hearing for next week as to grant Police few more days for investigation and; released him on 50,000 Br. bail.

And again on Fortune Newspaper, it stated:
A source from Addis Abeba Traffic Police Main department said that police were trying to find the person who claimed to be a taxi driver and tipped the Police about the accident.

The Police aren't even aware of their informer neither they have examined Teddy's car. This assures, they don't have any tangible evidence as yet that asserts Teddy or even his car being involved in any accident. All the information they have is, a homeless, young boy reported to be dead and an anonymous person informed the police that he had witnessed the accident and thus he gave the plate number of the committer's vehicle, which turnout to be Teddy's car. And it seems, the reason the Police asked for four more days is to clarify these points.

The Ethiopian Criminal Code states, a driver who hits pedestrian to their death and happen to drive more than 15 meters from the accident scene, will be considered to have committed homicide. And, if enough evidence is found against the accused, a serious punishment of up to 15 years imprisonment will be enforced.

It's to be recalled that Teddy Afro's last album that consists the song "Yasteseriyal" is regarded as hazardous political song along with "Chemin de Fer" and "Uu Uutaye" by state-controlled Ethiopian Television and radio channels and that the songs to be banned from going on air.

Many linked this scenario with the anger the regime might have conceived on the artist for releasing those songs and that this could be a fabricated charges to lock him up as an avenge.

Teddy Afro was out of Ethiopia for almost ten months and his departure was a relief for many of his fans fearing he would encounter problems with the government, if he stays. Though, it appears the artist haven't feared repression as his fans does that he returned to his country as soon as he finished touring to US, Europe and the Middle East, reassuring once again, he is the man ahead of the game.

JR, producing
a new album

Yohannes Bekele a.k.a Jonny Ragga, is believed to be the first home grown reggae artist. Many audiences got familiar with JR after he featured on Teddy Afro's 'Haile G/Selassie' song. But the artist came in to play long before while he was only 18 years old working with Medina Band. He has also worked with Chaka Demos, Pilers, Chaci, La-Fontain and Shewandange Hailu and toured to many nations in Africa, US and Europe.

His last album entitled 'Kulfun Sitchegn' or Give Me the Key has shown his creative abilities that indeed enabled him to become the first Ethiopian to win The Best African East Music Video award in Channel O Spirit of African Music Video Awards that was held in South Africa, on September 15th, 2006.

It seems that this bold artist is not satisfied only to make his record that now he embarked on his own record label called JR production that endorses new talented youths to join the music industry. He doesn't want to restrain his record company's pursuit that he also looks forward to organize talent shows and music concerts.
Currently, he is engaged in producing an album for young artist named Ras Yohannes and you can listen, the pre-release of his single, 'Tefekari Honkugn' or 'I'm loved' where JR also features in it.

Enjoy!