Transsexualism in Africa under the Guise of Human Rights and Freedom

A Philosophico-Theological Appraisal

Abstract

Transsexualism is a difficult but vital topic to analyze objectively. In general, Africans see transsexualism as a modern phenomenon that diverges from African morality and religion. This paper examines the moral standing of transsexualism, which has been the subject of a contentious dispute among medical professionals, philosophers, theologians, religious academics, and ethicists. It uses philosophical and theological explanatory models to evaluate the moral standing of transsexualism. The research, which is literature-base, uses critical and descriptive methodologies to achieve its objectives. The research shows that people who contemplate transsexualism do so under the guise of born-free, co-creatorship, equality, nondiscriminatory rights and freedom, and the right to be recognized as a human person. It also shows that certain traditional African societies may not practise transsexualism, but they do have its external symptoms. The article posits that transsexuals and proponents of transsexualism should reason deeper and seek more objective explanations to understand the impact of the practise from the paradigms of philosophy, theology, and ethics in order to help them see value and redirect their lives.