WHAT A VOTE FOR OBAMA MEANS TO LESBIANS IN SOUTH

AFRICA

by Ulla Kelly

Here in South Africa, we join the global community in focusing closely on American politics, especially at election time.  And no one does pre-election like Americans do.  Those who have access to satellite television get into round-the-clock coverage; those who don't are still kept up to date by TV and newspapers (which frequently have the election as front page news).  South Africans as a subculture appear to be joining in the worldwide fascination with enthusiasm.  Currently, a lot of my SA lesbian Facebook contacts had their middle names set to Hussein and during the elections had their statuses "donated" to the cause of asking American to vote for Obama.

Why Obama?  Well in general terms, because South Africa is a majority black country, we wanted to see the USA get its first black president.  In terms of the lesbian community, and I'm probably generalizing horribly here, we wanted to see a democrat win.  We're anti-war.  We're definitely anti-George W, and McCain and Palin are just plain scary.  Obama is liberal, so basically we like him. And  there is an element of solidarity with Obama's Kenyan roots. Despite his statement about same-sex marriage, "I'm a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman," at least he seems to want to make gay rights more equal than they have been.  Of course, South Africa already has legal gay marriage, the right for gay people to adopt children, legislation against homophobia and so on. So in that sense, for once we're not sitting behind America wondering whether to follow it, quite an unusual position for an African country. 

If McCain had won, the general opinion seems to be that it would be another victory for right wing ranchers and Christian fundamentalist bigots.  We'd have been sitting sadly watching as the country that exemplifies “liberty” to much of the world slides backwards.  If America doesn't progress, what do we as a struggling country, society, economy, aim for?  Where's our role model then? 

So the USA impressed us all with its unprecedentedly high voter turnout and Obama's victory. Today, our media was full of “happy America” photos and stories with “happy Africa” responses.  I canvassed some lesbians for their reactions. Here’s what the South African dykes had to say:

“I'm thrilled about Obama, the world is alive with new possibilities.”

“I feel like celebrating, wow, my generation has stood up for change!”

“It's ironic that a large portion of Obama's campaign centered around change... and yet so many Americans remain hateful bigots.”

“I'm watching the world turn positive.”

“I'm thinking yay for America! You finally made the right choice!”

“I reckon talk is cheap and change is certainly needed but it cannot happen overnight as much as we would wish it to. What is good for the U.S is not always good for SA. Very sad fact of life but true.”

“I am truly delighted with Obama’s victory.”

“Congratulations to Americans of every shade of skin tone, gender, origin, and subculture! The incredible seems to have happened. May Obama truly bring change, even if it's not altogether up to him.”

As a community, I suspect our interest is not about to wane.  We want to know what's going to happen about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we want to see how Obama handles the gay marriage issue, and most of all, we want to see what differences he makes to America and her policies.  But today, we are sharing your excitement, your joy and probably even some of your dreams.

GOGETYOURGIRLON .......................... an online lesbian magazine

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