Homosexuality Should be Socially Accepted in China - Essay Example

Homosexuality Should Be Socially Accepted In China Outline I. Introduction Background information: Just like heterosexuals, homosexuals are also human beings who not only need a chance to enjoy their sexuality but also mingle with other people freely without being discriminated (Tatlow). For China to be a nation that does not discriminate homosexuals, the government ought to step up and not only legalize homosexuality but also enact stern rules and punishment for persons who will be caught intimidating and discriminating homosexuals. Thesis: The essay will expound on homosexuality in China, its repercussions and the reasons why it ought to be legalized. II. Reasons that support the thesis statement A. Argument 1 1. According to activists such as Xiang Xiaohan, homosexual discrimination usually does more harm than good a nation. States like Taiwan and Hong Kong have fully accepted homosexuality and it is the reason why they are stable (Murdoch). 2. When homosexuals are denied their constitutional rights that allow them enjoy their sexuality; China portrays a bad image to the globe. B. Argument 2 1. Lots discrimination to homosexuals is also the main reason why most of them get married to the opposite sex, this is usually not out of love but because they want to camouflage (Der Spiegel). Such marriages normally result to break ups. 2. Another reason why homosexuals get married to the opposite sex is due to fear of stigmatization. According to Chinese culture, bearing children is a sign of prestige and honor. Therefore, same sex marriages, apart from being seen as a taboo, it is also against the Chinese religion (Der Spiegel). III. Counter arguments 1. According to China’s ministry of health, the rate of homosexuals contracting Aids is becoming an issue of national concern. This is because statistics show that the rate of Aids in homosexuals is above average and keeps rising annually. This rate is almost 88% higher than the general population (Der Spiegel). 2. Apart from the ministry of health, part of the Chinese government is against the legalization of homosexuality. The government through the civil affairs department, human province, firmly stated that homosexuality was not only a violation of morals but also the spiritual civil construction (Tatlow). IV. Rebuttal Although homosexuals need to be recognized and granted their civil rights, the rate at which gays and lesbians are contracting Aids is appalling and need to be given much consideration. Sine many homosexuals are married to partners of the opposite sex for fear of victimization and discrimination, the government ought to realize that those opposite sex partners are at a high risk of contracting the disease. Therefore, by legalizing homosexuality, the government will have helped minimize the rate of aids in married couples. V. Conclusion Since foundation of the People’s Republic in 1949, homosexuals in china have undergone many horrific situations such as victimization, torture and stigmatization. Legalizing homosexuality will not only help gays and lesbians feel they are part of the society but also help them enjoy their sexuality. The republic of china is one of the fastest growing nations in the globe and commonly known for its hospitable citizens. Whereas most Chinese live happy lifestyles, there are few who feel left behind; these are the gays and lesbians. These people receive lots of intimidation and assaults whenever they attempt to merge with the rest of Chinese people. They are discriminated by everyone, from families, friends and even the country at large (A.A). Just like heterosexuals, these people are also human beings who not only need a chance to enjoy their sexuality but also mingle with other people freely without being discriminated (Tatlow). In order to achieve this objective, the government ought to step up and not only legalize homosexuality in china but also enact stern rules and punishment for persons who will be caught intimidating and discriminating homosexuals in relation to their sexuality. The essay will not only shed more light on homosexuality in china but also what ought to be done for it to be legalized fully. Since 1997, being a homosexual in china had always been illegal; the government declared homosexuality a mental disorder, which meant that all gays and lesbians were mentally insane (Der Spiegel). This discrimination declined after the Chinese government opted to decriminalize homosexuality. Although the level of stigmatization declined compared to states such as Russia and Sochi, many homosexuals still faced discrimination especially from heterosexuals (Murdoch). Although there is lots of discrimination against homosexuals, many gay activists have also stepped up and not giving heterosexuals a chance to stigmatize them. For example, Yogi Omar, a gay rights activist who was assaulted in Guangzhou airport after he allegedly organized a protest against Russia’s anti-gay motion (Murdoch). Xiang Xiaohan, a 19 year old was arrested for twelve days after he allegedly organized a pride parade in Changsha without permission(Murdoch). According to activists such as Xiang Xiaohan, homosexual discrimination usually does more harm than good to the state. For example, states like Taiwan and Hong Kong that have fully accepted homosexuality in the society are likely to surpass China unless it changes how it sees gays and lesbians (Murdoch). By denying homosexuals their constitutional rights that allow them enjoy their sexuality; China portrays a bad image to the world, which is ever watching to see how they solve the problem. This is the main reason why Peng Liyuan, first lady of the republic of China boosted the Chinese campaign for more gay rights. Peng, who is also at the forefront in support for people living with aids decided to join the campaign for gay rights after receiving a letter from parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) requesting her to join the campaign in support for mothers who have homosexual children (Murdoch). According to research, over 30 million men in china are gay and 90% percent of them are married to the opposite sex (Der Spiegel). Whereas people get married because of love and procreation, the main reason why these men get married to the opposite sex is to not only impress their parents and friends but also camouflage themselves for fear of stigmatization if they are discovered to be homosexual (Der Spiegel). Such marriages are full of lies and infidelity because whereas they are married, such people will still always have an external affair with other partners of the same sex (Der Spiegel). In the end, such marriages never last because they eventually result to break ups and it is traumatizing especially if children are involved. Apart from camouflage, fear of stigmatization is also another reason why many homosexuals never reveal their sexuality, not even to their parents. According to Chinese culture, bearing children is a sign of prestige and honor. Therefore, same sex marriages, apart from being seen as a taboo, it is also against the Chinese religion (Der Spiegel ). According to Chinese religion and culture, one objective of a marriage is usually procreation, but because no children are born in same sex marriages, it is usually seen as a taboo and even their families forsook such people because they were seen as an embarrassment to the family (Der Spiegel). Since the foundation of People’s Republic in 1949, homosexuals in china have gone through all sorts of horrific experiences, from torture, persecution to execution (Der Spiegel). Since 1949, same sex was considered an offence whereas homosexuality was considered and insanity. Parents used to beat their children once it was reported that they were homosexuals with an aim of changing the person’s sexuality. Some doctors also went to the extent of placing their gay patients under electroshocks and emetics hoping to cure the homosexual desire in them (Der Spiegel) .such tribulations normally because many homosexuals disappear without a trace while others opt to commit suicide. Whereas gay activists are ever protesting for recognition of gay rights, some organizations in china frequently oppose the move. According to China’s ministry of health, the rate of homosexuals contracting Aids is above average and keeps rising annually. This rate is almost 88% higher than the general population (Der Spiegel). Homosexuals who are married to opposite sex partners are more likely to infect them with the disease due to their infidelity (Der Spiegel.) Although homosexuality is legal in china since 1997, the society is yet to accept them as human beings because all attempts they make to fit in is usually met with an opposing society. This led to the formation of LGBT center, an organization founded to cater for gays and lesbians in China (A.A). The organization’s main objective is to unite gays and lesbians and make them feel just like any other Chinese citizen. Recently, the organization held ceremony in Beijing where gays and lesbians were treated with lots of delicacies and free t-shirts (A.A). Since its establishment, the organization has encountered a number of setbacks from the society. For example, in Beijing, LGBT was denied permission to use the venue with allegations that they do not fit in the society only to be granted permission to use the venue few days to the ceremony (A.A). Apart from the ministry of health, another organization that is strongly opposing the legalization of homosexuality in china is the Chinese government. The government through the civil affairs department, hunan province, firmly stated that homosexuality was not only a violation of morals but also the spiritual civil construction (Tatlow). The department was against not only legalization of homosexuality but also the establishing of organizations catering for gays and lesbians needs such as LGBT (Tatlow). According the civil affairs department, the only marriage recognized by Chinese law is that of a man and woman, hence homosexuality and same sex marriage is not only illegal but also a crime (Tatlow). This statement was made few days before official release of the governments statistics on Aids in youths especially homosexuals. The Chinese gays and lesbians community did not take the civil affairs department’s report lightly. As a result, homosexuals of china through Mr.Xiang responded stating that nowhere in the Chinese constitution or law has it been drafted that homosexuality is against the society’s morals and culture (Tatlow). Many organizations have come up in a move to campaign for recognition of homosexuals as part of the society. In eastern China, organizations such as LGBT, Aibai and Tongyu have united to push for homosexual recognition in china. Since the foundation of People’s Republic in 1949, gays and lesbians have undergone many trials and tribulations in an attempt to campaign for civil rights and recognition in the society. People’s Republic declared same sex marriage illegal and insane. Since the declaration, gays and lesbians in China have been subjects to intimidation, discrimination and stigmatization. Most parents in china still believe that homosexuality is a taboo and once they realize that their child is gay or lesbian, they usually go to their extreme to ensure they convert them. Some of the methods used are torturous. For example, parents beat their children in a bid to straighten their sexuality while some take them to doctors where they are placed under electroshocks and emetics hoping to cure their homosexual desires. This has led to many homosexuals committing suicide. Some gay activists such as Xiang Xiaohan and Yogi Omar have been at the forefront campaigning for gay rights but their efforts are always hit a dead end. These sorts of torture being inflicted on gays and lesbians are because homosexuality is still considered a taboo. To curb this menace, the Chinese government ought to not only legalize homosexuality but also enact strict penalties to persons who will be caught discriminating homosexuals. Work Cited A. A. “A queer state”. The Economist. 25th June 2013.Retrieved on 9th March 9, 2014 from < http://www.economist.com/blogs/analects/2013/06/gay-rights> Der Spiegel, Stefan S. “Gay in China: Suffering in a Marriage of Convenience”. Transcend Media Service. 11th March 2013.retrieved on 9th March 2014 from< http://www.transcend.org/tms/2013/03/gay-in-china-suffering-in-a-marriage-of- convenience/> Murdoch, Scott. “China’s first lady asked to help gay rights fight”. The Australian.15th February 2014.Retrieved on 9th March 2014 from < http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/chinas-first-lady-asked-to-help-gay-rights- fight/story-e6frg6so-1226827702039#> Tatlow, Kirsten D. “Homosexuality ‘Against Spiritual Civilization,’ Hunan Government Says”.The New york Times.6th December 2013.Retrieved on 9th March 9, 2014 from < http://sinosphere.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/12/06/homosexuality-against-spiritual- civilizationn-chinese-government-says/?_php=true&_type=blogs&_r=0> Read More