The republic system of government that the forefathers of the United
States established is not universally good for all sovereign nations around the
world. However it is not to be inferred that all other types of governance are perpetually in error. No one would tell the Queen of
England that her command must fall to unalienable rights of Thomas
Jefferson. However like the United
States, the United Kingdom endeavors to protect and provide for citizen’s ‘basic
rights.’ Keeping in mind that statement is actually very
loose and up for many different interpretations. So, what really does 'basic rights'
entail? Do they translate as freedom from
direct government persecution? In a land
of rights and freedoms it is difficult to realize the pain some governments
willingly put citizens through, especially LGBTQ citizens.
This
persecution of specifically LGBTQ individuals exists in many nations, like Uganda in Africa. Did you know that the government is attempting
to regulate the personal lives of its citizens, under penalties of imprisonment
and death? The anti-homosexual bill
currently being debated in the Ugandan parliament is sadly not even a first in Africa. Approximately 35 sovereign
nations have outlawed the existence homosexuality
under differing punishments. In Uganda
if you are known to be homosexual the local paper is allowed to print your name and
address in an article. Why? This bill and attitude of the government causes
pervasive fear among those who identify with the LGBTQ community.
However
this type of legislative restriction of citizens is not unique to Africa,
Russia is currently considering a “gay ‘propaganda’ bill.” The bill began with the intent of protecting minors from pornography. But as this
piece of legislation as currently worded, could possibly provide a basis to
target LGBTQ demonstrations and organizations –legally. A similar piece of legislation has already been passed in the city of St. Petersburg!
Untill 1993 Homosexuality was punishable in the Soviet Union by prison, however
as evidenced by the rise of pieces of legislation as mentioned above, discrimination
against LGBTQ individuals remains widespread in the Russian Federation.
Direct discrimination
alone is not the end of the problems to be found today. Libya’s opinion as reveled at a recent UN
meeting in Geneva is that LGBTQ topics “affect religion and the continuation
and reproduction of the human race.” (Specific discrimination anyone?) Further still multiple Middle Eastern and
African delegates staged a walk out in protest of the United Nations first ever
panel on LGBTQ issues and rights. Roughly
forty percent (72/192) of nations who maintain membership in the UN have severe
laws criminalizing perceived homosexuality.
However many nations take a stand against suck behavior, such as South
Africa which hearkens back to apartheid and warned about the consequences of
ignorance.
Let
this blog not be only the wrongs. I
really don’t mean to depress you. There are
countries that make efforts to right injustices which have been committed
against its LGBTQ citizens. In Chile the
recent death of a gay man by suspected Neo-Nazis has led to the involvement of
the Vice President as well as several arrests.
Here stateside a woman has been arrested for the D.C. shooting of a gay
man. The suspect is being held in custody with no potential bond. Donald Trump has stayed true to his last name
and trumped the opposition who ejected a trans woman, Jenna Talackova, from competing
in the Mrs. Universe Canada competition by overruling that opinion and ensuring
Jenna a chance at the title. The following is a good article I would suggest reading.
No comments:
Post a Comment