This article looks at comments made by actor cum politician, John Dumelo, 14 years ago after his appearance in a Nigerian gay movie titled “Men in Love.”
This is so because accusations have arisen against the aspiring parliamentarian from some X users, alleging a lack of clear convictions regarding the anti-LGBTQ bill.
These criticisms surfaced following Dumelo’s remarks on the controversial Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly known as the “anti-gay bill”.
During an interview with Starr FM’s Bola Ray, Dumelo stated that he aligns with the position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the bill.
He emphasized the NDC’s support for the bill, citing its aim to protect “family values” in Ghana.
While he declined to state a personal stance, Dumelo added that he respects the privacy of individuals.
However, his recent comments have sparked backlash, with X users pointing out his past role in the movie “Men in Love,” where he portrayed a gay character.
“He wants to be a politician but he also wants to be progressive. Tell him to choose a struggle,” a user wrote.
The 2010 Nigerian movie “Men In Love” portrays a couple experiencing marital challenges, which are exacerbated by the arrival of a gay friend who is under a curse. John Dumelo and Muna Obiekwe played the gay roles in the film.
After the release of “Men In Love,” Dumelo publicly denied being gay. In a 2010 interview, he clarified that the film aimed to depict homosexuality as a consequence of demonic influence. He stressed that homosexuality was not promoted.
He told GhanaCelebrities that; “Yes I did a movie in Lagos. It was a gay movie. In that movie, I was under a spell. My best friend put me under a demonic spell. He then abused me to satisfy his gay pleasures. When you watch that movie, it actually doesn’t promote homosexuality”.
“It regards homosexuality as an evil thing. At the end of the movie, I prayed and the demon just came out of me, then I apologised to my wife and family, so it doesn’t mean I am gay. It was just to create awareness that people who are actually gay most likely are under demonic spells”, he is quoted to have continued.
Parliament on Wednesday, February 28, passed the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill also known as the anti-LGBTQ bill after three years following its introduction.
The Anti-LGBTQ+ bill aims to criminalize LGBTQ+ activities in Ghana. It proposes strict penalties, including imprisonment, for individuals engaged in activities related to homosexuality and LGBTQ+ advocacy.
Additionally, the bill seeks to prohibit the promotion of LGBTQ+ rights, organizations, and events in Ghana.
Prior to its passage, there had been several amendments to the bill. After deliberation, Parliament decided that the minimum custodial sentence has been set at three years, with a maximum of five years for promoters and sympathisers.
Additionally, individuals caught directly engaging in these activities will face a minimum sentence of six months, extendable to a maximum of three years.
Some international organisations and individuals in the country have called on the government not to assent to the bill. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has described the passage of bill as “profoundly disturbing.”
Currently, President Akufo-Addo has withheld his assent to the bill after one Richard Sky headed to the Supreme Court, challenging the constitutionality of the Bill.
The President’s decision has not sat with members of the opposition National Democratic Congress.