Actor and politician John Setor Dumelo has commented on the controversial “Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill,” commonly known as the “anti-gay bill”.
The anti-gay bill is currently under consideration by Ghana’s Parliament and has been sent to the president for ascension.
In an interview with Starr FM’s Bola Ray, John Dumelo stated that he aligns with the position of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on the matter.
He emphasised that the NDC supports the bill to protect “family values” in Ghana. While declining to state a personal stance, Dumelo added that he respects the privacy of individuals.
Social media reactions to the John Dumelo’s stance on anti-gay bill
Dumelo’s comments have drawn criticism on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Some users have accused the actor and aspiring parliamentarian of lacking clear convictions on the issue.
One user with the screen-name @JudeOnTwitt3r said the actor was “confused”, “He wants to be a politician but he also wants to be progressive. Tell him to choose a struggle”.
Others referenced Dumelo’s role in the 2010 Nigerian film “Men In Love,” in which he portrayed a gay man. The film depicts a couple facing marital difficulties, further complicated by the arrival of a gay friend under a curse.
A clip from the movie posted by Ghanaian musician Wanlov, showed Dumelo and Muna Obiekwe in a compromising scene.
Due to the bill’s provisions, critics point out that Dumelo could potentially face legal consequences for his participation in the film.
Another user stated how both John Dumelo and Muna Obiekwe became “gay icons” after their vivid portrayals in the movie.
Dumelo’s previous comments against homosexuality
Following the release of “Men In Love,” Dumelo publicly denied that he is gay. In a 2010 interview, he clarified that the film was intended to portray homosexuality as the consequence of a demonic influence.
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 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.
What is Ghana’s anti-LGBTQ+ bill about?
Ghana’s proposed anti-LGBTQ+ bill seeks to criminalise LGBTQ+ advocacy, same-sex relationships, and the expression of LGBTQ+ identity.
The bill has drawn domestic and international criticism due to concerns about human rights violations.
