Play

In December 2009, Rwanda considered revising it's penal code to criminalize homosexuality. At the time, after campaigning from civil rights groups, the Minister of Justice Tharcisse Karugarama concluded that homosexuality was a private matter, and so there were no plans to criminalize homosexuality.

At a theater festival in Kigali on August 5th, where various theater troops presented short, original plays in a local community center, the French text from a penal code concerning homosexuality flashed on a screen. I believe the text was from the Penal Code in Barundi which was revised in 2009 to make homosexuality a criminal act, but it flashed on the screen too quickly for me to see. A single actor came on stage and acted in a very effeminate, stereotypical gay manner, telling stories of his love life and more. He concluded with, "I love my country but my country does not love me." The entire time, the audience's reaction was mostly laughter, gasping, and more laughter. Especially when he did anything very traditionally effeminate, like a loud high-pitched scream or gasp, or throwing his scarf over his shoulder. I could not tell if the play was meant to be dark humor in pursuit of human rights or humor making fun of those pursuing human rights. Or a little of both.

Either way, it was strangely refreshing to see a short play on the topic.