Saturday, April 21, 2012

A Slow Spin

My Zimbio
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In a recent interview with Christiane Amanpour the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, maintains that although homosexuality is illegal there is no discrimination against gays in his country. Rather, there is only concern about public displays of affection and the possibility that children will be recruited into "that lifestyle". Furthermore, he asserts that Ugandan gay activist David Cato was not beaten to death last year because he was gay but as a result of personal quarrels he had with his “partners.” Right.

Having just returned from Indonesia, I am reminded that in Muslim dominated countries, far to many LGBT citizens live deep in the closet for fear of reprisal from rabid religious fundamentalists. Many of those who engage in same sex intimacy, particularly men, see this behavior devoid of homosexuality and simply as an urge that needs to be satisfied.

Speaking of charades, how about that wacky Vatican? Let’s silence those “nuns gone wild” immediately! They should spend less time fighting for the rights of the poor because anti-abortion and promoting hatred of gays is far more pressing.

How about some encouraging news? Although 76 out of the 192 United Nations Member Countries still outlaw homosexuality, the UN Human Rights Council is at least talking about LGBT equality. In Latin American, citizens continue to defy the Catholic Church and provide equal protection for all of their people. In the United States we fight on against against bullying and teen suicide. (Check out  ayayale@tix.com) While in the EU, Canada, and the UK they are passing laws to help LGBT refugees who are fleeing countries who persecute them. A few hopeful signs. Still, it’s a slow spin towards equality.

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