I'm sad my first thread on these forums has to relate to something as hateful as this, but I feel it is something worth raising awareness of. Uganda is on the verge of pushing through a controversial anti-homosexuality law that was previously defeated. This law mandates, at minimum, prison sentences for homosexuals. As is the habit of parliaments worldwide, the Ugandan leadership has chosen the end-of-year rush to push this bill through in a largely christian nation. The saddest thing is there is strong support for the bill, as gayness is viewed as practically Satanic in many African countries. I've linked a couple of articles from a reputable South African news source, I'd suggest doing some research of your own. There is also a link to the Avaaz petition if you believe that sort of thing can solve problems.
There was a full documentary following this bill on youtube. It is an amazing one. Unfortunately, i think the channel that actually made it took it down, but here is part 1/5.
Edit: If only people could use their persuasive speech, passion, and efforts towards peace...
On November 23 2012 20:56 acidstormy wrote: There was a full documentary following this bill on youtube. It is an amazing one. Unfortunately, i think the channel that actually made it took it down, but here is part 1/5.
On November 23 2012 20:51 shell wrote: oh Africa.. why can't you just be peacefull and happy!
So many problems and so little help!
sad.. sad.. day for uganda and it's gay community!
You have community leaders saying stuff like "gays eat da poo poo" and if anyone dares argue against this and try to ask for evidence they are probably shunned, assaulted, etc.
So if there's strong support for it throughout the country what's your deal with it? Let them make their own laws, they aren't a colony. There are other moral standards than Western.
On November 23 2012 21:14 EtherealBlade wrote: So if there's strong support for it throughout the country what's your deal with it? Let them make their own laws, they aren't a colony. There are other moral standards than Western.
I'm guessing a bit of Devil's Advocate here: a fair point. For example, we don't jump up and down about similar situations in numerous Arabic countries, most likely because they don't care and carry huge economic power as a religiously linked group.
However, the pragmatist in me wants to prevent another messed up situation if possible. Morality is truly up for grabs globally speaking, but the death penalty for homosexuality (a potential end point)? I feel we have, on average, moved on and up from there. All I wish for is a situation where your private (non-criminal) sexual decisions don't end up with you dangling on the end of a rope.
On November 23 2012 21:14 EtherealBlade wrote: So if there's strong support for it throughout the country what's your deal with it? Let them make their own laws, they aren't a colony. There are other moral standards than Western.
I'm guessing a bit of Devil's Advocate here: a fair point. For example, we don't jump up and down about similar situations in numerous Arabic countries, most likely because they don't care and carry huge economic power as a religiously linked group.
However, the pragmatist in me wants to prevent another messed up situation if possible. Morality is truly up for grabs globally speaking, but the death penalty for homosexuality (a potential end point)? I feel we have, on average, moved on and up from there. All I wish for is a situation where your private (non-criminal) sexual decisions don't end up with you dangling on the end of a rope.
I think youre missing that this is something fairly new and on the rise in some parts of africa. In the middle east theyve had medeival values for a very long time.
On November 23 2012 21:14 EtherealBlade wrote: So if there's strong support for it throughout the country what's your deal with it? Let them make their own laws, they aren't a colony. There are other moral standards than Western.
I'm guessing a bit of Devil's Advocate here: a fair point. For example, we don't jump up and down about similar situations in numerous Arabic countries, most likely because they don't care and carry huge economic power as a religiously linked group.
However, the pragmatist in me wants to prevent another messed up situation if possible. Morality is truly up for grabs globally speaking, but the death penalty for homosexuality (a potential end point)? I feel we have, on average, moved on and up from there. All I wish for is a situation where your private (non-criminal) sexual decisions don't end up with you dangling on the end of a rope.
I think youre missing that this is something fairly new and on the rise in some parts of africa. In the middle east theyve had medeival values for a very long time.
I wouldn't say that at all - Africa has never been a great place to be gay. In South Africa, we are currently experiencing a very disturbing trend where lesbians are 'correctively' raped and/or murdered. Once again, not nearly as much outrage as one would hope for. It's kind of hard to say anything definite about the history of homosexuality anywhere in the world to be honest - it is an extremely recent trend, relatively speaking, to accept it as normal, in any country. The only thing I can say with certainty is that is has existed for a very, very long time.
On November 23 2012 21:14 EtherealBlade wrote: So if there's strong support for it throughout the country what's your deal with it? Let them make their own laws, they aren't a colony. There are other moral standards than Western.
of course you cant just touch a countries sovereignty. nobody wants to send troops there, so calm down. but you should be able to express your thoughts and feelings about a matter, even when its in a foreign country. you can actually change many things through communicating. not all, but many.
On November 23 2012 21:14 EtherealBlade wrote: So if there's strong support for it throughout the country what's your deal with it? Let them make their own laws, they aren't a colony. There are other moral standards than Western.
I'm guessing a bit of Devil's Advocate here: a fair point. For example, we don't jump up and down about similar situations in numerous Arabic countries, most likely because they don't care and carry huge economic power as a religiously linked group.
However, the pragmatist in me wants to prevent another messed up situation if possible. Morality is truly up for grabs globally speaking, but the death penalty for homosexuality (a potential end point)? I feel we have, on average, moved on and up from there. All I wish for is a situation where your private (non-criminal) sexual decisions don't end up with you dangling on the end of a rope.
I'm pretty certain he isn't playing devil's advocate. Asked another way, who gave you the right to decide what is right and wrong in the world?
50 years ago moral standards were very different, and 50-100 years from now they will change even more. Every generation has this superiority complex it seems, where they think they are know-it-all but then a mere 50 years is enough to change a societies moral laws upside down.
On November 23 2012 21:14 EtherealBlade wrote: So if there's strong support for it throughout the country what's your deal with it? Let them make their own laws, they aren't a colony. There are other moral standards than Western.
I'm guessing a bit of Devil's Advocate here: a fair point. For example, we don't jump up and down about similar situations in numerous Arabic countries, most likely because they don't care and carry huge economic power as a religiously linked group.
However, the pragmatist in me wants to prevent another messed up situation if possible. Morality is truly up for grabs globally speaking, but the death penalty for homosexuality (a potential end point)? I feel we have, on average, moved on and up from there. All I wish for is a situation where your private (non-criminal) sexual decisions don't end up with you dangling on the end of a rope.
I'm pretty certain he isn't playing devil's advocate. Asked another way, who gave you the right to decide what is right and wrong in the world?
50 years ago moral standards were very different, and 50-100 years from now they will change even more. Every generation has this superiority complex it seems, where they think they are know-it-all but then a mere 50 years is enough to change a societies moral laws upside down.
Easy way out of taking responsibility for anything, ever ...
While I agree 150% that morality is a shifting standard, I'm prepared to take a stand on an issue. If someone were to try and kill one of my gay friends because of his gayness, I would not hesitate to take a stand - I'd like to think this sentiment extends to any gay person out there, regardless of imaginary sovereign boundaries.
On November 23 2012 21:14 EtherealBlade wrote: So if there's strong support for it throughout the country what's your deal with it? Let them make their own laws, they aren't a colony. There are other moral standards than Western.
Sure and the same could to some extend be said about psychologically ill and sexually more deviant people in the western world (loss of rights, enprisonment etc.). However, those things are another straw on the camels back in terms of revolt-sentiment. Nobody ilikes to trade with a country with a cvil war raging, cause who should you make the deals with? By truely suppressing a group of people in society you are making a group of society motivated for going against the ruling power. If more groups get angered by the government, and it is inevitable to some extend, the government has to use more force to kill dissidents. The more force they use the more anger will build up in society and you have a negative spiral. There are several ways to deal with that: Either you have people complaining getting up for an election that people trust or the power used can be so extreme that peoples fears will keep them from expressing their opinion. Alternatively there are other strong motivaters to control the people, but I do not know how powerful they really are in the long run. Laws against certain behaviour is destabilising to some extend and since gay sentiment is moving towards a much more rights-oriented direction in most parts of the world, it is a dangerous way to go for ban and harsh punishment in the longer run!
there's quite a difference between anti-gay laws and anti-gay-behaviour laws. most laws fall under the latter, i.e. to discourage open homosexuality, because it is simply not practical to enforce the former.
while i don't support sending gays to jail, i'm actually in favour of discouraging gay pride and all that nonsense. some cultures find it offensive, i find it offensive, and let other countries make their own laws.
On November 23 2012 22:32 shadymmj wrote: while i don't support sending gays to jail, i'm actually in favour of discouraging gay pride and all that nonsense. some cultures find it offensive, i find it offensive...
I would be MOST interested to hear your reasoning behind this.