Could the State Benefit from Aristophanic Comic Relief? Philosophical Perspectives on Carnal Politics in Postcolonial Uganda

• Published in: Journal of homosexuality 2024-11, p.1-25
• Main Author: K'Akumu, Owiti A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0091-8369; 1540-3602; 1540-3602
• DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2431269

This article is a critical analysis of the anti-homosexuality legislation in Uganda, a state in East Africa. It primarily uses Plato's political philosophy as expressed in Aristophanes' speech in the Symposium. Using the Aristophanic viewpoint, the study derived six analytical concepts that structure its findings, discussion and conclusion. These are: the origin and fall of man; all sexual orientations are valid whether lesbian, homosexual or heterosexual; sexual cravings are natural phenomena whether lesbian, homosexual or heterosexual; law encumbers natural feelings of love and should not be used to prohibit any aspect of sexual orientation; homosexual (man-man) relations generate greater political benefits than the rest; scientific knowledge can be used to justify Aristophanes mythological explanations of sexual orientation. These concepts have been transformed into analytical questions in the study regarding the morality, naturality and legality of homosexuality in Uganda. This has led to several conclusions: All sexual orientations are valid whether lesbian, homosexual or heterosexual; Sexual cravings are natural phenomena whether lesbian, homosexual or heterosexual; and Law encumbers natural feelings of love and should not be used to prohibit any aspect of sexual orientation.