Defending Gay Rights: It’s about Fairness, Tolerance and Human Decency
It's nothing new: As much as some people like to protest against homosexuality, they must realise they can’t make it disappear.
An event in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) pride was held in Islamabad recently and was hosted by the Deputy Chief of the US Embassy, Richard Hoagland. At its heart, the gathering promoted the idea of allowing people to be who they want to be, recognised the importance of being understood and valued, and advocated basic human rights. However, local Islamic parties and religious groups, such as the Jamaat-e-Islami, claimed that this event was an act of “cultural terrorism” by the Americans. Uproar ensued against homosexuals and America’s support for homosexuality in Pakistan.
Any educated person must see the importance of decrying such intolerant and ignorant protests. Understanding LGBT rights is not only about letting people live the way they want to live – it also represents a certain necessary degree of change in the mentality of the people in Pakistan. This awareness can help us build a society that is more tolerant and accepting. We need to learn the “live-and-let-live” way of life. We need to learn that people’s sexual lives are private. And as part of this, we must accept the medical evidence that homosexuality is neither an illness nor something that can be treated. It is biologically determined.
As much as some people like to protest against homosexuality, they must realise they can’t make it disappear. Why force people to lead double lives? Prejudice and paranoia drive people to lie to their families, to be ashamed of who they are and become depressed. Some people physically punish themselves.
Generally in Pakistan, people attack homosexuality because it goes against their religious beliefs. However, this is no excuse to go around bashing people for feeling a certain way. In fact, doesn’t religion preach the ideas of peace and tolerance? So while homosexuality is not looked at in a positive light from the religious point of view, that does not give people the right to treat homosexuals as if they are not an equal part of our society. If different races can be accepted, then different sexualities can be accepted too. The very act of intolerance is not encouraged by religion. Homophobia seems not just philosophically inconsistent with the idea of a peaceful religion and a loving God but also is a clear source of severe pain and suffering for gay people everywhere.
Some of the real-world prejudice gay people face was highlighted when a young man anonymously spoke out in a recent blog post in The Express Tribune. It was a bold move to broach such a personal and controversial topic in such a public forum, knowing just how intolerant and insensitive Pakistani society is about homosexuality. As expected, the post stirred up a storm of crude remarks and criticism, many of which exemplify the ways that gay-bashing can cause serious harm. One commenter stated this:
“Homosexuality can be treated by proper therapy, [sic] I recommend you check it online. Research concludes that this is not genetic or inherent, and in many cases has been treated. I’m sorry about the way you feel considering your religious inclination. It must be hell.”
Suggesting ‘anti-gay’ or ‘reform’ therapy might be vaguely well intentioned, but it pushes the idea that there is something ‘wrong’ with gay people and they must ‘change’ it. This exacerbates their feelings of guilt. Meanwhile, such treatment usually leads to self-loathing and repression, which in turn have inspired tragedies ranging from depression to suicide.
There are also comments suggesting that the young man should get married to a woman and lead a double life. A typical post reads:
“The bitter truth [sic] my friend is that a gay person’s life is one of the most lonely and miserable ever. You will slowly see your friends and family making the transition into married life and you will be left alone. The bright side is that most women in Pakistan are not sexually aware, [sic] their idea of an intimate relationship has very less [sic] to do with bedroom activities. So you won’t have to really be into it and they won’t know the difference. The other bright side is that spending a night with a guy will never attract any attention so you can very easily continue your activities with these ‘close friends’.”
Once more, the reaction essentially suggests deceit. This young gay man is being asked to outwardly conform to society by lying to his family and cheating on his wife. He will never know a life of honesty and respect. Sweeping homosexuality under the rug is a solution proposed by those who see it as part of the filth that belongs there. Meanwhile, LGBT individuals and their families are expected to suffer paranoia, wonder who to trust and never be completely fulfilled.
It’s sad how people think they have the right to decide other people’s lives for them. We all need to let those who are gay be true to themselves – in peace. They harm no one. Even if you don’t accept homosexuality, you must learn to live with it: learn to live with the truth that there are people around us who have different perspectives and a different way of life – it may be as different as communism and capitalism, but it is still a way of life.
The opinions expressed in this article and the views shared by readers in the comment forum below do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance or policies of Newsline.
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I would even say that even if there was no so called “medical” evidence, the ability to open our hearts to difference, diversity is a way to become more complete in ourselves. Thank you for writing such a brave piece and thanks for the people who organized the event in Islamabad. I saw that there is a similar event happening in Lahore. Lets get started Karachi.
To those ignorant people who think gay people “choose” to be gay.people use your brains,who would ‘choose’ to be gay in pakistan??
I personally know 2 gay men who had to marry women due to societal pressures and taboos regarding homosexuality. Both of them lead miserable double lives, and one of them even tried to commit suicide when his family found about his sexual orientation. I really wish people would stop defining homosexuality as ‘unnatural’, since who are in the first place to define what is natural and what is not? Also, it is important to note that very little research is done on lesbian women in Pakistan,which can be said to be a major cause for ignorance regarding lesbian women’s issues in Pakistan.
its unnatural cause men doesn’t get wet down there naturally so they have to use lotions and oils to get “it” going, so how is homosexuality ‘natural’ if this would had been the case men would also have PMS and menstruation cycles and one extra inlet. (i wonder the young and brave editors at newsline would let this comment publish without editing)
I would suggest let them (LGBTs) to their own will not only by allowing them but making some laws in favor of them and the other people also be motivated towards homosexuality. What happened then?? Could anybody imagine?? DESTRUCTION DESTRUCTION & DESTRUCTION nothing return. These acts show the sickness of mind and mentality.
why is USA so worried abt gays in Muslim world, we have a law that has set limits and punishment for sex crimes and its a crime for men to have sexual relation with other man with sever punishment. and if you want a free society where sex is left to one’s animalistic desires tu lets abolish marriage system and dont punish your wifes if they sleep with other men, and also let people have sex with animals too cause some ppl like that as well and have a ‘true’ free society with no limits.
Before thinking of accepting someone, one should know why they are frowned upon and what Islam and teachings of the prophet:saw: are about such. Starting from that, one will know why such people are considered out of Islam and if you will search, you will find ahaadeeth about the punishment. Adding that to the guidance we get from Quran, one will know that such acts were considered to be cause of Allah’s wrath in His eyes.. :swt: … and the nation of Lut :as: was destroyed telling us that they were the transgressors and not people with faith and Iman. They can never be muslims. That is the guidance and the message of Quran. That is, if one really thinks about why it is in the Quran for us to read. Not just a story.
Homosexuality in the Qur’an
The following passages are taken from the Abdullah Yusuf Ali translation of the Qur’an.
“We also sent Lut: He said to his people: Do ye commit lewdness such as no people in creation (ever) committed before you? For ye practice your lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people transgressing beyond bounds. And his people gave no answer but this: they said, “Drive them out of your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!”" (Qur’an 7:80-82)
“Of all the creatures in the world, will ye approach males, And leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people transgressing (all limits)! They said: “If thou desist not, O Lut! thou wilt assuredly be cast out!” He said: “I do detest your doings:” “O my Lord! deliver me and my family from such things as they do!” So We delivered him and his family,- all Except an old woman who lingered behind. But the rest We destroyed utterly. We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)! Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe. And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 26:165-175)
“Would ye really approach men in your lusts rather than women? Nay, ye are a people (grossly) ignorant! But his people gave no other answer but this: They said, “Drive out the followers of Lut from your city: these are indeed men who want to be clean and pure!” But We saved him and his family, except his wife; her We destined to be of those who lagged behind. And We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)!” (Qur’an 27:55-58)
“And (remember) Lut: behold, he said to his people: “Ye do commit lewdness, such as no people in Creation (ever) committed before you. Do ye indeed approach men, and cut off the highway? – and practise wickedness (even) in your councils?” But his people gave no answer but this: they said: “Bring us the Wrath of Allah if thou tellest the truth.” (Qur’an 29:28-29)
“If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four (Reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or Allah ordain for them some (other) way. If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.” (Qur’an 4:15-16)
I suggest that one reason why people of faith cannot accept the idea that homosexuality is innate for some individuals are the wider implications this would lead to scripturally. All the Abrahamic faiths present God as just and compassionate. Clearly if homosexuality is shown to be innate, then this can only mean one of two things: either God is unjust or scripture is not the literal Word of God. If homosexuality is shown to be innate this challenges the legitimacy of all faiths.
A second problem, certainly facing Roman Catholic Christians, is the obligation in the Cathecism to eradicate evil, and the Church’s definition of homosexual acts as being intrinsically evil. Moreover many senior Bishops publically equate homosexuality itself with evil. If a tendency towards homosexuality could be detected in utero, Christians might feel obliged to have an abortion. Equally homosexuals might be pressurised in Christian countries where euthanasia is legal, such as the Netherlands and in the US State of Oregan, to have euthanasia. As Christians regard both abortion & euthanasia as being grave moral evils, this poses a dilemma: Can one evil outweigh another? Would the evil of abortion and euthanasia open a slippery slope making the use of these evils more acceptable in other circumstances, and therefore would they present a graver moral evil to the natural law than tolerating homosexuality?
This is a very well written article. It doesn’t just express what is present and it doesn’t attack religion either.
Speaking as and for all the straight people I know, you cannot stand against certain things just because you don’t believe them. That way you will be standing against all other religious practices other than your own. There are too many double standards worldwide.
Alcohol, prostitution, gambling etc are not fought against as much as homosexuality is which is ridiculous.
This generation is about live and let live. Don’t stick your beak in whether you are for or against it.
Many thanks to NewsLine for taking up this issue. It is very important that Liberal media take up the issue.BUT with responsibility. Post-US Embassy event in Islamabad both the Urdu and English Liberal and Jihadi media took up the issue.What we are dealing with here is a very sensitive issue which can endanger many a lives,especially of effeminate gay men and the way Jihadi media attacked both birds (homosexuality and US) with the same bird signals why Uncle Sam must hold its horses and think twice before acting immature
Pakistan Queer Movement is just one step in direction towards spreading the awareness that Gay and Lesbian people are just as much human and humane as heterosexuals.We would surely need the help of larger heterosexual society,and media to convey our message.And the message is simple as I put it elsewhere.That its not for the state and ordinary mullah to get in one’s bed.What two consenting adults do in their bed without harming anyone is not for someone else to come along and destroy just because they have existential threat in their mental world.
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