Hey guys, have you heard the awesome news yet?? France just voted YES on gay marriage equality! This means that France will soon become the 14th nation in the world to offer full and equal marriage rights. Crazy, huh?! I excitedly discovered this today as I opened an email from the AllOut Campaign. They are currently petitioning in many regions, promoting advocacy for equality. The organization shares helpful updates on what’s happening in Cameroon, Uganda and Russia, some of the most dangerous places in the world for homosexuals.
Speaking of which… In Brazil, where many LGBT individuals are subjected to some of the largest counts of violence in the world, one of the nation’s most well-known pop celebrities, Daniela Mercury, recently “came out,” introducing her wife to the public. Individuals like Mercury who display such courage through the struggle are no-doubt the role models of today and the near future. It is because of strong individuals like her that are willing to take these sometimes dangerous risks that the fight for equality can move onward to create a better tomorrow!
So much has been happening in these past couple weeks– celebrity support and coming-outs, law passings, etc. Cannot wait to see what the near future holds. Let’s hope the United States in my next email!
Alright, we all are probably pretty up-to-date on the fight for marriage equality in the United States since it has been dominating much of the media of late. So instead I wanted to share with you guys something we recently discussed in my Anthropology course (Evolution of Human Sexuality) to switch it up a little. This is pretty fascinating and relevant enough to our topic that I believe you’ll really be interested.
In class, we watched a documentary (inserted below) about Transsexualism in Iran. Did you know that Iran is #2 in the world for Transgendered surgeries (#1 is Thailand)? This is because, by law, nearly half of the cost of each procedure is covered by government payments. Transsexuals are completely accepted by their surrounding society and the change even results in an altered birth certificate. Because the religion of this region dictates the law, the Koran is rule and it does not state any wrongdoing associated with changing one’s biological sex… however, it does specifically dub homosexuality as a sin. This is where it gets hairy… Of course there are many gender non-conforming men and women who desire this surgery more than anything, but a large number of the participants experience the harsh pressures of their society (or their significant other) and feel the procedure is the only option to relieve the torture they often endure while in public as homosexuals. In the documentary, one man awaiting the surgery states his tragic situation and fantasizes of living in “The West,” where gays are more widely accepted–ironic right? The dynamics of this occurrence are incredible. On one side you have this openness and almost total acceptance with transsexual individuals (partial cost, legally new gender, can easily marry, no harassment, etc.), but then again you have this severe, and disheartening, double standard for homosexuals. So the nation is only progressive to an extent… Anyway, thought this was an interesting view into the advances and struggles of other places around the world.
So what do you think? Will things ever change? I suppose it will be hard since the government is at the discretion of the Koran… But hopefully things will change someday (for both of our nations)!
If you have any free time this weekend, I strongly suggest that you check this out:
In my search for recent LGBT(QIA) news, I stumbled upon an extremely opinionated video of some sort of republican conference commenting on the ethics of gays raising children with several degrading comments on same-sex relationships in general.
Now, I don’t want to rip this man apart in his statements… Well, that’s not entirely true, but it’s important to realize the harshness of peoples’ hatred/phobia of homosexuality. Radical speakers, however, could possible maintain some credibility if many would not make discriminating generalizations about those opposed to their views… This goes for both those for and against in sensitive, controversial issues such as LGBT rights.
The man in the video (Fischer) begins his rationale with the broad statement that gays “…do not know anything about sustaining a lasting relationship,” which is obviously a huge assumption. He goes on to suggest that those who believe in evolution “would be more opposed to the normalization of homosexuality than the Evangelicals” and argues that homosexuality does not promote the propagation of the human species. This sounds valid, however, if he had done more research about the ideals of evolutionists who study such atypical gender behaviors, he may realize the fault in his argument as studies indicate homosexuality may increase reproductive fitness of kin by eliminating competition from the gene pool and may be sexual selected in societies from various genetic pressures. Because he does not establish his credibility thus far, his last comments (which I want to focus on) about the morality of gays raising children are somewhat discredited.
Okay, I sort of lost my train of thought there and got very off-topic and surprisingly RCL/analytical… and I sort of decided to change my itinerary partway though…? Sorry, but it’s 4 AM, so I’m not on my A game. Sorry if I, myself, sound ignorant.
But anyway, gays partners raising offspring is a touchy subject… Of course research shows that homosexuality is more genetically tied than environmental and children raised in a household of gay parents would most likely not be affected in terms of orientation. However, the questions I want you to consider are: what do you think of the other effects, such as social, psychological, etc, of growing up under same-sex parents? How can these pressures be relieved? For example, could we alleviate social tension by advocating this differing lifestyle to young generations in schools? Are there any psychosocial risks at all? I want to know your opinion.
Also, how can we get others to even consider our ideas alongside their own if already they are ignorant to their very own claims?
Wow, this post is so scattered and random. I don’t even know what happened. So… discuss what you want, hahah, I’m out.
All right… I’m not sure how familiar you are with this issue, but it has been pretty prevalent recently, especially during this past week. The Boy Scouts of America Association released a public statement, revealing their upcoming re-consideration of their ban against “individuals who are open or avowed homosexuals” as Scouts or adult Scout Leaders,” which has been upheld officially since 1980. The leaders of the organization have announced the group “needs time for a more deliberate review of its membership policy.” For now, the league contests that LGBT individuals are not appropriate role models for the young boys of the program. But with all these surrounding turmoil in the news and motions for marital legalizations in a variety of US states, they have been feeling increased pressure from the public to repeal their ban.
For good reason, too.
The Boy Scouts of America pride themselves on both individual, group, and community development. But where is growth without diversity? To me, this and similar bans such as LGBT marital/union laws are reminiscent of something to the likes of the Separate But Equal doctrine about segregation laws. Groups including the Boy Scouts are “of America” by name and nature, yet they are exclusive, strictly denying the participation of thousands of expressive homosexual boys and men. They disparage the US LGBT minority although these boys are every bit as American as an “acceptable” Scout. Even if they are granted admission, will they forever not be considered “clean in word and deed,” as is Boy Scout Code?
At what point do LGBTs become equal with others? It seems even today, with increased support for civil or domestic unions between partners that separation is evident. Sure, rights may be granted… but what are the connotations? What do all these labels/laws really mean for those involved? Is the LGBT community “separate but equal,” and if so how long will it take to gain equality?
As for the Boy Scout case? We’ll find out after the plan of action is revealed after the National Annual Meeting in May 2013.
