Will Pope Francis raise LGBT rights during his first visit to Africa?

[stephaniec]

Will Pope Francis raise LGBT rights during his first visit to Africa?

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/11/27/will-pope-francis-raise-lgbt-rights-during-his-first-visit-to-africa/

Pink News/By Michelle O'Toole   11/27/2015

"LGBT people in Kenya and Uganda are hoping that the Pope will raise the issue of LGBT equality during his first visit to Africa.

Pope Francis is touring Kenya before travelling to Uganda on Friday and then to the Central African Republic on Sunday. "

[sparrow]

Given that his speech in new york was pretty queerphobic, I doubt it.  Much as I love Francis's stance on poverty, he isn't our ally and I think it's foolish to expect a change of heart.

[Deborah]

Yeah.  He is against LGBT equality as we would describe it.  Jesus' second coming happening today is more likely than the Pope supporting LGBT people beyond some vague and ultimately meaningless statements.

[gennee]

I really don't see it with all the anti-lgbt sentiment in Africa. Much of this was fomented by many American pastors who came there.

[suzifrommd]

Um... not sure I'd want to count on the head of the virulently anti-LGBT Roman Catholic church to champion our cause.

[Jamie_06]

Pope Francis is not really the champion of LGBT rights people make him out to be.

I've seen similar sentiments among Protestant groups. They will make attempts to "reach out to the LGBT community" and apologize for how badly Christians have treated them, and welcome them back into the church... but they will do nothing to actually advance LGBT causes, nor will they respond if asked whether they personally believe being LGBT is sinful, citing the need to "promote dialogue" or something similar instead. The ultimate goal here is not to help LGBT causes at all; rather, it's designed to bring LGBT people back into the fold, and get them to shut up and keep paying tithes rather than criticize the church.

What Pope Francis has been doing is just a Catholic version of the same.

[Tysilio]

No, he's too busy saying sh stuff like this:

"Francis said that "countries are frequently pressured to adopt policies typical of the culture of waste, like those aimed at lowering the birthrate.""

Yup, high birth rates are going to save Africa, without a doubt.

He isn't their friend any more than he's ours.

[sparrow]

They will make attempts to "reach out to the LGBT community" and apologize for how badly Christians have treated them, and welcome them back into the church...

They've been abusing us for centuries.  Their attempts to "reach out to the LGBT community" look a whole lot like asking for handouts, since churches survive on donations from their members.  So after slapping us around, they wanna say sorry and make amends... and make a quick buck.  Thanks.  Real genuine.

I guess it puts a band-aid on the issue, because our "allies" that go to these churches get warm feels 'cause their church is so gosh-darned nice to us now.  I remember a mormon friend bragging to me that gay people were "fully accepted" in the church, so long as they refrain from gay sex, and presumably make an honest effort to find a hetero partner to make babies with.  Gag me.