The Acceptance of Homosexuality in South Africa Essay

Introducing the Thesis: Homosexuality, and gay relationships, are more often called, relationships and sexual acts between people of the same sex. There are many different views about homosexuality but one remains: Religious misinterpretation can lead to discrimination and hated. Equality is a possibility but it takes, tolerance, respect, and understanding. This paper examines multiple components of homosexuality and how it is viewed through the last 12 years. This paper will discuses : facts, how views and population rates differ from place to place, church opposition, problems, and solutions. This paper argues that while hatred, mistreatment, and misunderstanding

Homosexuality is often looked down upon and is a reoccurring topic in the black community and specifically with black American men. This sparks the question “Why are many Black American men against homosexuality?” Religion, the influence of hip-hop and the social construct of hyper-masculinity are all factors that play into the stigmatization of homosexuality.

Many people believe and have debated whether or not homosexuality is a choice that one freely makes, while others believe a combination of genetics, hormones and environment have a factor in one’s sexuality and sexual development. Homosexuality is something one cannot choose to be. Primarily, homosexuality can be defined as a romantic or sexual attraction that involves people of the same gender. Male homosexuals are referred to as gays while the female ones are called lesbians. Ideally, since time immemorial, there have been controversies worldwide whether homosexuality should be allowed or banned in the society. In the same way, there have been cases where people are segregated in the community because they are gays or lesbians. Notably, the United States of America is among the countries that have legalized homosexual relationships and marriages. However, in other countries that have traditional cultures, homosexuality is usually going against the ethics and ethos of the community and whoever is involved may be shamed, persecuted, prosecuted (jailed), or disowned by the community. The Western world has been pressuring and influencing many countries that has diverse cultures that do not allow people of the same gender to get married or be in relationships to change their views and policies However most countries are still attached to their culture and values. Nevertheless, there is a small percentage of homosexuals living in those countries, but they choose to live private

Many people from the United States hold the belief that being gay is something that has always been considered to be okay. They believe that it is just a given. Despite people’s current beliefs on the subject, for a very long time, it was something that was widely believed to be taboo. In the past, people were imprisoned due to their sexuality. Regardless, throughout the decades, people have pushed for the widespread acceptance of people who are part of the LGBT community. Today, homophobia still exists in some parts of the United States, but we have come a long way since the early 1900s.

The same-sex debate is not only an American phenomenon. Many countries, especially Europe, have dealt with the issue as well. Since 2001, seven nations- the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Canada, South Africa, Sweden, and Norway- have legalized gay marriage.

Islamic States do not have such problem. I don’t mean that such states does not have people who are homosexuals, I mean that such states does not have mass social degradation where individuals look to homosexuality as a social norm and acceptable.

For the slightly more attentive observer, the situation is globally very different. To tell the truth, the 20th century has undoubtedly been one of the most violently homophobic periods of history: deportation to

This keeps pace with the latest global figures on acceptance of homosexuality, which suggest that tolerance of LGBT communities is becoming more widespread only in secular, affluent countries.[4]

When looking at African American political policies and social status both in their native country and in America, it is important to see where their practices came from. First, when looking at the rich history of Africa, it is necessary to examine the African values. In Africa, their value system consisted of, “affiliation, collectivity, sharing, obedience to authority, spirituality, acceptance to fate and past time” (Pinderhughes, 1982, p.91). This is the framework the African people knew before coming to the America’s via the slave trade. Once in America the new African American values emphasized individualism, social status, and financial aspirations (Jones, 1985). These are critical in understanding the political side of things

Today, there are many stereotypes surrounding African countries that are widely circulated in Western society. Genital mutilation, infanticide, rape, and other horrific incidents are associated with this continent. When discussing exemplary feminist behavior, or the “proper” treatment of women, Westerners are not likely to cite Africa as an example. Africa is not only seen negatively in regards to how they threat their women; this continent is also known for shunning LGBTQ+ members and intersex individuals. “Shame, taboo, ignorance: Growing up intersex,” a recent CNN article written by Briana Duggan, discusses some of the issues intersex and LGBTQ people face in Kenya. The article interviews an intersex man named Ryan Muiruri, who was raised

The documentary God Loves Uganda is about the effects American evangelicals have on Uganda, when preaching their values. These missionaries do everything in their power to eliminate sexual sin. In this documentary, there are interviews with some of Uganda’s most powerful, their enemies, local priests and bishops. All of which have strong opinions about the anti-homosexuality bill. The director, Roger Ross Williams grew up in a Christian

For instance, the trend towards criminalization of homosexuality in most African countries is predicated on the prohibition of such sexual orientation and practice by Christianity and Islamic religions.

Similar to Modern Europe, negative attitudes of homosexuality exit in today’s society.where it continues to regulate individuals into hiding ones sexuality.

In the latter half of the twentieth century, the United States witnessed a struggle for gay and sexual liberation that bore the brunt of government persecution, an AIDs epidemic, and overt resistance from the religious right. Brazil dealt with many similar issues, from anti-gay policing and bar raids targeting queer individuals to an AIDs crisis devastating the country to the conservative right gaining more sway. However, these were complicated by historical troubles. Political upheaval brought on by an ideological schism between communism and democracy made it tougher for gay recognition to become an eminent concern. Yet, even with the exacerbated political problems the country faced, it was clear from interviewing my grandmother, Mary, and my mother, Simone, that Brazil followed a path reminiscent to that of the United States: silence surrounding and unawareness of homosexuality turned into widespread fear, that would later progressively shift towards acceptance.

The realization of the homosexuality in the modern western world as a cultural, sexual and a social category has been a result of complex power relations that surround sexuality and gender. The acceptance of homosexuality in the society has met its fair share of resistance and skepticism. The view that homosexuality can be in the same league as heterosexual has led it to be viewed as a normal behavioral and moral standard (Gallagher & Baker, 2006). Inasmuch as the skeptics may not want to accept the existence of homosexuality studies show that the habit is rampant today with many gay people coming out in the open. Of interest is the political acceptance of homosexuality with passing gay rights so that it can be recognized by law. This move has given homosexuals the ability to engage in legal entities like marriage (Gallagher & Baker, 2006).