It’s Not the Machine, but the Fool Behind It.

The constant and ongoing upgrades in technology have afforded us immense convenience.

Communication across the globe is now instant. Information can be shared, exchanged, and accessed in real time. Knowledge of all kinds sits at our fingertips, available within seconds.

We use this technology every day, for work, for connection, and for habit.

Yet technology itself is neutral. It is neither good nor evil.

As Newton’s Third Law of Motion reminds us, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. As much as technology has relieved us of the cumbersome process of gathering information for growth and advancement, there are those who use it for harm.

The machine is not the problem. The intent behind it is.

The Unspoken Tragedies

In my short life, I have learned to be careful about who I allow into my space. Some people arrive uninvited and are soon removed. Others come with hidden agendas, disguising their true intentions so well that we fail to recognise their roots until it is too late.

When it comes to the LGBT community, the rise of the internet has made connection easier than ever.

Finding someone like-minded now happens effortlessly. Conversations flow quickly, and familiarity forms fast. Yet with that ease comes risk, and those risks are often underestimated.

Many of us take precautions. We are careful about the information we share, how we plan to meet, and who we choose to trust. For some, these steps are enough, and life continues without incident.

Still, no matter how cautious we believe ourselves to be, the risk never fully disappears.

Of Things Forgotten

For too long, I have read and heard personal stories that touch my heart deeply. Stories where one wrong decision, one misplaced trust leads to irreversible harm. It pains me how quickly tragedy can unfold, sometimes in the blink of an eye.

Too many accounts speak of people seeking connection, affection, or simple companionship, only to encounter violence, betrayal, or death.

A meeting meant to bring comfort ends in devastation. These stories do not just concern me. They sadden me profoundly.

I applaud the work of LGBT advocates who tirelessly push for inclusion, safety, and awareness. They work daily to highlight the dangers we face, not only from those who openly oppose us, but also from those who pretend to stand beside us.

Is There Any Justice at All

For years, through friends and media reports, the same pattern emerges. A gay person meets with calamity, often through a connection made within the community. A hook-up gone wrong. A trusted meeting that ends in tragedy.

What is most troubling is how often these crimes seem to vanish without consequence. It feels as though there is a gateway for perpetrators to escape accountability, as if violence against gay people is quietly tolerated or deliberately overlooked.

In many African societies, crimes committed against LGBT individuals rarely receive serious legal attention. Over the years, I have heard countless stories of harm, but very few stories of justice. It raises an unsettling question. Is this neglect intentional?

In my hometown, gay people do not run to the police for protection and crimes go unreported.

Fear keeps mouths closed as silence feeds the freedom of those who continue to prey on our community, knowing there is little or no chance they will be held accountable.

A Necessary Warning

This reflection comes from concern, not accusation. I respect the LGBT community and the advocacy work being done.

 However, experience has taught me this. Do not assume that years of navigating these spaces make you immune to danger.

Criminals adapt. They study trust. They learn how to appear safe, familiar, and convincing. They invite you into spaces that seem harmless, environments that feel secure, conversations that disarm your instincts.

Do not let your guard down.

No matter how careful or experienced you believe yourself to be, there is always someone willing to exploit trust. 

In recent years, from where I stand, law enforcement has offered little reassurance or protection.

If you are LGBT, stay alert.

Always protect your space. 

Question what feels rushed.

Trust what unsettles you.

To everyone of my LGBT family still hung up on the hook-up culture be careful out there.

We are left on our own.