By Desmond Rutherford (Adelaide, South Australia) July 7 | Peter Tatchell is not being practical even though his aims are not without merit.
The idea that homophobia alone is the only justification for the LGBT identity is a very narrow view of the emancipation of human sexuality.
Just how long will it be before freedom of sexuality is accepted by all societies?
How long before parents do not expect their children to be straight, let alone, rejoice in their child's sexuality, whatever it is?
And how long before a young person does not feel some degree of bewilderment at their same sex attraction? Discovering sex is challenge enough for most.
What we really need to end is the obsession with condemning sex by religious bigots, and theocratic regimes, put a stop to childhood indoctrination, and finally get people to understand that human love is as diverse as it is universal, then we might not need support groups to assist people to accept themselves as being perfectly normal no matter with whom they express their sexual attraction. (Consenting adults Of course.)
Until then we might want to hold off dismantling the LGBT support networks. Indeed we might want to expand them into centres for breaking down the nonsensical fears, irrational beliefs, and tribal customs that inhibit so many cultures from realising that their role should be to encourage individuals to realise their full human potential without derogatory and needless labels.
When we have created a global attitude of unconditional acceptance of the human ability to sexual express the affinity that exists in us all, and not just some arbitrary figure such as 10%, then we might just be able to live without LGBT support organisations, but don't hold your breath. There is a lot of work to do before that idyllic state is realised, and we will need to be organised to achieve it, confronted as we are by those who deny humanity its right to love in liberty. Even when it is achieved, we will need some semblance of vigilance to ensure our rights continue without threat.
The idea that homophobia alone is the only justification for the LGBT identity is a very narrow view of the emancipation of human sexuality.
Just how long will it be before freedom of sexuality is accepted by all societies?
How long before parents do not expect their children to be straight, let alone, rejoice in their child's sexuality, whatever it is?
And how long before a young person does not feel some degree of bewilderment at their same sex attraction? Discovering sex is challenge enough for most.
What we really need to end is the obsession with condemning sex by religious bigots, and theocratic regimes, put a stop to childhood indoctrination, and finally get people to understand that human love is as diverse as it is universal, then we might not need support groups to assist people to accept themselves as being perfectly normal no matter with whom they express their sexual attraction. (Consenting adults Of course.)
Until then we might want to hold off dismantling the LGBT support networks. Indeed we might want to expand them into centres for breaking down the nonsensical fears, irrational beliefs, and tribal customs that inhibit so many cultures from realising that their role should be to encourage individuals to realise their full human potential without derogatory and needless labels.
When we have created a global attitude of unconditional acceptance of the human ability to sexual express the affinity that exists in us all, and not just some arbitrary figure such as 10%, then we might just be able to live without LGBT support organisations, but don't hold your breath. There is a lot of work to do before that idyllic state is realised, and we will need to be organised to achieve it, confronted as we are by those who deny humanity its right to love in liberty. Even when it is achieved, we will need some semblance of vigilance to ensure our rights continue without threat.
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3 comments:
Much as I agree with Desmond's article, I think an important aspect is missing, and that is recognition that discrimination within humanity is not just sexual in nature. Recently we have had a heat wave suffocating our area, and I cannot believe the numbers of people criticising, in very nasty terms, people who have removed some of their clothing in order to remain a bit cooler. The complaints aren't against those who are 'good looking' but against those who don't meet the usual standards as depicted by TV and movies. The real failure seems to be the inability of so many to accept anything different whatsoever, and that is truly saddening.
Trab, I agree with you that sexuality is not the only problem, but I think gaining acceptance of sexuality does mean we will have eroded many of the tribal superficial customs such as a dress code. We have a lot of work to do, much common sense and compassion to encourage.
One has to wonder (well, one doesn't 'have to' but maybe should) if dress code and sexuality are tied together as cause and affect (to some degree) or are both 'symptoms' of the same problem. At first glance the more rigid the dress codes the more rigid the attitudes on sexuality, but then one can look at African nations where many barely wear clothing (compared to many cooler climes) and see that sexuality issues are just as intolerant as (or more-so) elsewhere.
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