Homophobia On Rise In Barbados ?
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| Flag Person Justin Peleon Photo credit, Nationnews Paper,Nigel Browne |
The Mahogany Coconut Group will
guard against anti-gay sentiment and the early signs of violence and hate
crimes directed at the gay community, as witnessed during the recently
concluded Crop Over festivities. We expect criminal charges to be brought
against those deviants who engage in such violence against our gay citizens.
We will not and cannot oppose the
democratic rights of citizens and those in the public eye, to openly demonstrate
their anti-gay positions. However, when such attempts are littered with inaccuracies,
we as a responsible group of citizens would endeavor to expose some of the
myths and inconsistencies.
First, we want to inform the
Prime Minister of Barbados, that it has been clearly established that
homosexuality is a natural (nature) way of life for those who realize from very
young, that they are naturally attracted to the same sex. There are hundreds of
studies and literature, that empirically conclude that such individuals are
homosexual in the same way that others are heterosexual. For him to even suggest
that the jury is still out on whether homosexuality is by “nature or nurture”
is perhaps the first time that we can say, without fear, that he is
deliberately being intellectually dishonest.
It is also known that some people
who have experimented with both heterosexual and homosexual sexual activity,
have opted for one or the other as their preference, which is their democratic
right, to have consenting sex with whomever they prefer. To ignore these basic
truths, is to deny that it is widely accepted or known, that some heterosexual
men are now having sex with other men but do not consider themselves gay. There
are some females, who are having sex with women but do not consider themselves
to be lesbians. They see the act as nothing more than sexual gratification.
The question of the negative
health consequences of anal sex is also being used by some to decry the gay
community. However, it has been posited by several sexologist and those in the
medical profession that anal sex when practiced with careful attention to
hygiene is a safe exercise. Those who are being hysterical by the act should
remember that there are heterosexual couples who engage in anal sex as well. Why
then only warn gays about the “dangers” of this act and not the straight people
who engage and enjoy anal sex. Why the hypocrisy?
The argument against the adoption
of children by gay couples is also concern of the anti-gay movement. According
to them, children reared by same sex couples would be seriously disadvantaged.
They claim the children will have a confused understanding of who they are. We
suggest that there is no empirical evidence to support such a position. Quite the opposite is being revealed in this area.
Research is showing that children need love and a nurturing environment. In
many studies same sex couples have been given high marks by adoption agencies. Those who have same sex parents are not inclined
or are no more inclined to anti-social behavior than those parented by
heterosexuals.
Same sex marriages and unions
experience the same challenges that are known to straight couples. In matters
of personal relationships, it is extremely difficult for those who are not
intimately involved in such unions to fairly pontificate. We note the high
incidence of divorce , broken homes and dysfunctional families. Would it be
fair to say that marriage as we know it is becoming antiquated or does not
work? There are gay and straight couples who are happy, faithful and upright
citizens. Why deny gays the rights that the straight couples enjoy? Why are the
opponents of gay marriages out there “doing as they like” then want to become
the moral centers of society? Who gave them the right to determine what are
good moral unions?
We urge those who are anti gay to
realize that gay citizens breathe the same air; worship the same God and must
not be discriminated against in any form or fashion.
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