This archive report was first published on 14 October 2019.
October 14, 2019, marked a significant day for Albert Nabonibo, a Rwandan gospel singer, as he made a shocking revelation about his sexual orientation. Speaking to the BBC, Nabonibo shared that he had come out as gay in a bid to encourage fellow LGBTQ+ individuals to be open about their identities.
According to Nabonibo, there are many people like him who hide their true selves due to societal pressures and fear of persecution. He stated, "In fact, there are many like me even there in churches. The fact is they hide it because of the mentality of church-goers and the community and for their security."
Nabonibo's decision to come out as gay sparked a severe backlash from social media users, leading to him being forced to resign from his job. He revealed that his fellow workers started hating him after discovering his sexual orientation, and his bosses eventually pushed him to resign.
However, Nabonibo chose to resign rather than face the possibility of being fired, which would have tarnished his employment record. He expressed his fear of being harassed and his desire for his society to understand and accept him for who he is.
Since coming out, Nabonibo has faced further backlash, including some family members and friends not speaking to him. He has also stopped attending church due to fear of harassment. Despite the challenges, Nabonibo remains committed to his faith and continues to "sing for God."
While homosexuality is not an offense in Rwanda, the country's largely Christian society still frowns upon it. Nabonibo's story serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights in the region.
