Gay Rights - Research Paper Example

? Gay Rights Same sex acts around the globe have elicited contradicting sentiments following support and condemnation from different quarters, especially in heterogeneous societies. However, in homogenous societies such as the Middle East, which follows a similar code of social norms, there is mainly a single sentiment, but there is also support for homosexual acts. As a result, there is need to look into the rights of gays and lesbians in the Middle East in order to establish acceptance and condemnation of same sex acts. Rights of gays and lesbians in the Middle East are something questionable following the religiosity of the people living in the area, especially when factoring that is exclusively Islamist territory. This makes gays and lesbians undergo the pressure of being on the opposing side of the grain by being the odd ones out. Consequently, the rights of gays and lesbians in the Middle East are of little consequence following the fact that Islam is strongly against the practice, which is perceived as a vice that is not forgivable. In spite of this, the Middle East offers gays and lesbians other rights such as their basic human rights as presented in the universal bill of rights. As s such, these people are forced to practice their sexuality in privacy and secrecy so that only the gays and lesbians know one another, and in some cases, the nature of their sexuality is revealed to those close to them. The above include family members and close friends, who are likely to comprehend the gravity of their situation and accept them into their world as they have always done in spite of their known status. In the Middle East, human rights are a concern in the first place as one’s rights can easily be taken away the same way they can be grated. This is because the countries in the area are fully Islamism and concepts of same sex cohabitation are new trends from secular worlds. As a result, acceptance of such things is rarely taken seriously as it is perceived as corruption of the Islam way of life and a violation of sharia laws. Sharia laws in this case is used exclusively in middle eastern nations to govern relationships, which then brings up concerns about treatment of gays and lesbians under Islamic sharia laws. This is in addition to the role of clerics and other members of the society in guaranteeing the wellbeing and accordance of full rights of gays and lesbians in the Middle East. Evidence about gays and lesbians, in the Middle East, points to potentialities of severe consequences for being gay or lesbian because of kinship ties. As such, family honor is a thing valued in the Middle East, where bringing news of being gay or lesbian to one’s parents elicits strong sentiments against such people despite being family members. This is perceived as bringing shame to the family for being bad Muslims who cannot follow sharia laws or even follow rules of social convention (Whitaker). As a result, rights of gays and lesbians are violated through discrimination and segregation such that one is not comfortable in society, which is part of why their sexual practices and preferences are carried out in secrecy to prevent such cases. In addition, there is no constitutional guarantee that gays and the regular rights that other citizens enjoy protect lesbians. This results in their blatant suppression and oppression, as public sentiments are always against them and ideas of inclusion into society are foreign calls against Islam. Another main rights issue for gays and lesbians in the middle east lies in the registration of citizens as participants or followers of a given sect or faith. This acts as an aspect or grounds for discrimination following the refusal to join any faith or sect should one’s sexual orientation be discovered. As a result, discrimination becomes the key rights issue for gays and lesbians in the Middle East. Looking into the reasons for same sex sexual preferences reveals that there is not much to call gay or lesbian since there is adequate evidence of the double standards applied against women by men. As such, men get all the opportunities to experiment and go on sexual adventures before marriage, while Islam calls for women’s sexual purity before marriage. This implies that they can only enjoy sexual pleasures after marriage and further implications lie in further double standards in violating lesbian rights than gay rights. This is because as men brag about their sexual adventures, women have not had a chance and the only people they conduct their sexual activities are other women. The above is in spite of having a fully satisfying sex life with their husbands, which translates in unequal treatment of lesbians over heterosexual individuals. This is with more evidence pointing towards how the law is used against and for gays and lesbians in the Middle East, which is both pro and anti-gays and lesbians in its own right. The law indicates that there are adequate laws against gays and lesbians, but the use of bribes is rampant towards getting them released from prison and facing the wrath of the law. This way, it shows that there are plenty of illegal sexual acts of gay and lesbian nature taking place that go undetected in the Middle East as it is difficult to look into legislation restricting one’s private life. Moreover, it indicates that the rights of gays and lesbians are not likely to be infringed unless when they are brought out into the open to face the consequences of their actions. Also, homosexuality is consensual and private reinforcing the above point that there is little that can be done to infringe on the rights of gays and lesbians in the middle east unless the acts are done without consent, in which case they would be rape. Evidence further points towards the failure to take action in cases of rape, unless then cases of rape attract high profile attention from authorities. This is because the laws prohibiting same sex acts create a framework of legitimacy for harassment and discrimination, which then leads to acts of rape and even further proliferation of same sex acts. This way, it is safe to say that the rights of gays and lesbians are protected through loopholes of corruption and legal frameworks that prevent reporting of such cases (Whitaker). Evidence for this emanates from poor methods used by authorities to collect information other than threats, which are used as means of turning, suspects into informants implications are that every suspect turns into an informant and there are no more suspects, even in lesbianism and gay activates protecting them and their rights (Roleff, 1997). In spite of the freedom of worship, which requires citizens to be registered under a faith or a sect, religious stigma still gets to those practicing same sex sexual activities. Considering that the Middle East is prevalent with Islam as the main faith, its means of punishment for homosexuality and same sex activities is death, where gays and lesbians often follow the law when they fell guilty of their actions and find suicide as the solutions. This way, imams and other religious leaders attempt to advice the people towards taking the right instead of taking their lives, which is not enough. This is because it denies gays and lesbians from other potential openings of getting help such as counseling on a medical level as it could cause depression. Religious counseling for gays and lesbians does not appear to assist these people since in the first they violate religious laws prohibiting same sex acts, but they go ahead. Other religious teachings that deny gays and lesbians access to professional help to assist them in joining social and religious conventions. The laws call for those coming out of the closet and seeking to redeem themselves to make donations so that Allah will never leave them, as well as pray, while keeping away from the sinful activities (Whitaker). This forms basis for stigma and denial of opportunities in society to seek appropriate treatment for different conditions, which also applies to issues of AIDS and other sexually transmitted illnesses that can only be treated in the presence of one’s sexual partner. Following the stigma in society, gays and lesbians cannot be treated as it exposes them to society and its wrath against them. Altogether, the rights of gays and lesbians in the Middle East fall under grey area when it comes to legislation as the law is strongly against, but then it leaves enough loopholes to let them free. This is then coupled by corruption and poor investigation by authorities making them enjoy equal rights as the rest of the citizens. However, there is discrimination against them following family and religious values, as well as social conventions, which are non-tolerant to same sex acts. As a result, gays suffer discrimination and stigma, as well as denial to equal opportunities following the presence of double standards against them from society. There are also double standards when it comes to lesbians, where they are shunned down by society, despite men getting ample experience in sexual relations. References Whitaker, B., & Whitaker, B. (2006).Unspeakable love: gay and lesbian life in the Middle East. Berkeley: University of California Press. Roleff, T.L. (1997). Gay Rights (Current Controversies). San Diego: Greenhaven Press Read More