Some overenthusiastic homosexual Houngans have already been recognized to carry outfits with these people if they check out at some other Houngans’ ceremonies, so as that their unique lwa should be properly clothed if they should appear
In Vodou, homosexuals aren’t prohibited from any spiritual activity. They could be involved in spiritual solutions, and even come to be initiates and clergy everyone. It is true there is some stigma related to homosexuality in Haiti, however it does perhaps not do the type of the virulent hatred evident in Jamaica, as an example, where homosexual people could be the sufferers of mob killings.
Especally among the poorer classes, in which diminished living space and privacy tends to make intimate positioning obvious, the experience is pretty that our mother earth keeps somehow starred a kind of a€ parship?practical jokea€? from the individual.
Homosexual the male is regarded nearly by definition as within the patronage of Erzulie Freda, the lwa of fancy and luxury. This woman is most female and coquettish, providing a chance for stereotypical homosexual attitude as exhibited in a sacred framework.
Homosexual ladies are regarded often to-be under the patronage of Erzulie Dantor, whom, while heterosexual in the same way that she’s a kid, was a tough and stronger female picture. Many individuals contemplate Dantor herself as a lesbian girl, but this woman is in addition the wife of both Ti-Jean Petro and Simbi Makaya, two important lwa.
Because open homosexuals is carefully omitted from Protestant congregations, and frowned upon in Catholic services, about the only real avenue for religious term for homsexuals in Haiti try Vodou.
At various peristyles in Port-au-Prince, composed totally of homosexual guys, or of gay female, homosexuality are practically an access needs. I understand one Mambo, a lesbian, who’s got a few lovers among their female hounsis. They group collectively economically, performing little advertising and marketing and other activities to make sure her common survival.
I experienced another skills, of a young man, a folkloric performer who had been a buddy of mine, which questioned me to feel their marinn kanzo, or godmother. (this really is distinct from an initiating Mambo, that is labeled as maman asson, mother on the asson, the ceremonial rattle emblematic of priesthood.) We checked out the students man in seclusion inside djevo, the secret interior chamber from the peristyle in which initiates were secluded a€“ and was actually quickly obligated to abandon your as a godchild, while he got wearing the recommended clothes on the opposite sex! wrong treatment, as opposed to homosexuality per se, required us to just take this action.
Its really worth recalling that at a Vodou ceremony, any person are had by any lwa, regardless of the intercourse of lwa or perhaps the individual. Homosexual guys, particularly initiates, are frequently had by feminine lwa including Erzulie Freda. I recall one six-foot-two Houngan who was simply the mount for a lwa called Sainte Therese! The Mambo I mentioned above got a really martial Ogoun within her head, with his position at ceremonies is positively exciting.
The dance of homosexual guys specifically is commonly much-admired, while they combine the muscular strength of men aided by the voluptuousness of women.
Discover, consequently, a higher portion of homosexuals at Vodou ceremonies, as well as in the priesthood, than in the typical inhabitants
Houngans and Mambos has specific passwords, and certain motions performed aided by the asson. Homosexual Houngans and Mambos posses additional gestures which allow them to accept the other person.
The current presence of homosexuals in a congregation is recognized as morally basic a€“ the important criterion is the fact that proper ceremonial treatments become then followed in any facet of the Vodou service.