By not specifically citing sexual minorities in the Article 2 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the U.N. relegates to individual states the power to decide how they will treat their lesbian and gay citizens.
While we, as citizens of the world, are better off in a less belligerent international environment, the population of the former Soviet Union is now suffering through a difficult period of social, economic and political upheaval.
There is an old expression in Zimbabwe that well articulates how people feel in the current situation: “Madziro ane nzeve (Shona for 'Walls have ears').” I am tired of these walls that people claim can hear. I need to speak my mind, without fear, without looking over my shoulder.
