The Acceptance of Homosexuality in South Africa Essay

Brian Whitaker, in his paper ‘Unspeakable Love: Gay and Lesbian Life in the Middle East’, argues that homophobia in Arab Muslim countries “is not a religious or a cultural issue, but is foremost a political problem of which culture and religion are reliant factors”, arguing that Homophobia in the Muslim world can be attributed to the attitude this world has to its counterpart, the modern secular European and Western

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.

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.

Eventually, dissenters would emerge from the black political and religious leadership (Stanford 39).” This statement makes the fact evident that religion plays a vital part in black men being against the thought of homosexuality.

Responses to two flags in America sum up the nation’s attitude. The Rainbow Flag has come to stand for the gay freedom movement. It has prevailed upon the Supreme Court on Friday, and almost like the timing was planned, since June is Gay Pride month with parades across the world in which the rainbow flag was universal. The Rainbow Flag remains recognized because the gay movement stands for fairness, tolerance and free will. While 50 million Americans disapprove of the rainbow flag and all that it stands for, but it must be decorated across the White House, consumer products, parties and just about every website, news media and advertising commercial. I have no individual affection for the Rainbow Flag and I do not really care one way or the

According to an opinion widely held, homosexuality is said to be freer today than ever before. It is present and visible everywhere: in the street, in the newspapers, on television, at the movies. It is even supposedly completely accepted, judging by the recent legislative advances made in many countries for the recognition of same sex couples. Certainly, some work remains necessary in order to eradicate the last vestiges of discrimination. But with changing public opinion, it will only be, according to some people, a matter of time, the time needed for a movement begun many decades earlier to achieve its goals.

Then there is another side; there is progress. Openness to this different lifestyle has increased as the times go on. In the United States, we can look at the rise in public attention for the homosexual minority. You can’t open a newspaper without seeing an article on civil unions. The U.S. market aims a whole new line of advertising at homosexuals. For example, PlanetOUT.com is, “the leading provider of media products and online services to gay and lesbian consumers worldwide” (PR Newswire, 2004). They have launched an online television channel dedicated to the homosexual population (PR Newswire, 2004). Personally, this year alone I have witnessed, heard of, and participated in more public displays in favor of acceptance for different lifestyles than I ever have before. Look at television. There are numerous shows which include gay characters or actors, to name a few Will & Grace, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, Real World, and Dismissed.

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

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.

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.

LGBT acceptance has varied greatly over time in every culture in the world. For example, while it is commonly accepted that homosexual relations were common in Ancient Greece and Rome, the same cannot be said for the Middle Ages’ Holy Roman Empire. In American culture throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, sodomy was the phrase used to describe all “deviant” sexual acts. A homosexual lifestyle was unthinkable, mainly due to the high rate of Christians who devoutly believed in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. However people such as Walt Whitman, Charlotte Cushman, Emily Dickinson, Henry James, among others all achieved greatness in literature, the arts, and other fields, while also maintaining a secretive LGBT identity (Norton, 2004). To say that the proven biological inclinations of LGBT people is a “new” occurrence that exists solely due to societal acceptance simply contradicts historical evidence.

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).

Since 2001, same sex marriages have been granted and recognized in 12 countries. Statistics show that 250 million people (4% of the world population) live in areas that recognize same sex marriages.

“All men are created equal, No matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words,” Harvey Milk. A homosexual, as defined by the dictionary, is someone of, relating to, or characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex. Homosexuality is ethical, and I will provide rational arguments for, and irrational arguments against the topic. A few objections are as follows: It is forbidden in the Bible and frowned upon by God; It is unnatural; Men and women are needed to reproduce; There are no known examples in nature; and the most common argument that concerns homosexuality is whether it is a choice or human biology.