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This is the future we must strive towards, open-mindedness in dealing with other people’s world view rather than close-minded bigotry borne out of the kind of upbringing society’s drummed into you.

I always maintain the only reason man has advanced as far as we have is our tendency to rationally analyse things and reach our own conclusions. Unfortunately, down here in Ghana religion and cultural mores so often block a person’s thinking faculties; keeping them stuck in whatever has been pumped into them with no desire to critically examine those beliefs on their own.

Jasmine Barudi exhibited the kind of open-mindedness that should be the norm rather than the exception. Not fully, but at least she’s on the right track towards tolerance of other people’s orientation.

She appeared on the African Drum, and in the interview spoke of the need for gay people to be accepted. She recognised that some people were born that way, and so whether we liked it or not they existed in society with us.

“…I realised that some people are actually born with those genes in them…there’s nothing you can do about it, you just have to accept it. If a guy and a guy want to get married, fine”

The actress also asked a good question, what were we going to do to all the gays in society. Kill them? Ostracise them? She doesn’t realise her fellow countrymen have no problem with taking that approach.

“…Those who are, like I said were born with it, they can’t help it and what are you going to do? Are you going to kill all gay people? Are you gonna ostracize them? What are you gonna do? Nothing! You just have to accept them

I’m not gonna sit here and criticize no gay and lesbian people… Two guys wanna get married and so what? Some guys are genuinely not attracted to girls, no matter what you do. A girl can get naked in front of a guy and the guy will not respond. What are you going to do to him? You can’t force him to get married to a woman. If he’s attracted to another man and they are happy, they are making their own money, you know what I mean? What’s your own? It shouldn’t bother you. I just hope they are doing it for the right reasons and not just for fun.

I have no problem with gay people, lesbians; we’re all friends”

You can watch Jasmine Baroudi’s full interview below…