Liberal Fight for LGBT Rights - Personal Views

The fight for a more equal and fair society is not over until the homophobia has ended up at the dustbin of history. It is sadly but true that in today’s world individuals are still being prosecuted, murdered and jailed for being what they are since the birth. Being a LGBT person is still not considered as a fact and a common sense even within the modern societies. Even if it should be widely known that not being heterosexual does not mean that one is sick or has some type of damage. In many parts of the world many people are still relaying on myths Instead of relying on science and reason.

Somebody said that homophobia is a choice but homosexuality is not. For many individuals the myths about LGBT persons being sick, perverted or crazy can be satisfying. It can give someone more simplified and easier way to understand the world around oneself. Or better said the myths can provide one with the chance (risk) to not understand the world around oneself and to make mistakes. For other individuals the myths can be devastating. One can end up being harmed, killed or behind bars because somebody else has an unrealistic, unscientific and irrational understanding of the human reality.

The roots of homophobic myths are not only found in rreligious books or on the Internet. Or in what is being said at the dinner table between parents and children or among the football hooligans on stadiums. The roots of today’s homophobia have much to do with the politics. The answer for making the society less homophobic and more useful for the individual is by changing the political rhetoric.

Globally seen the good news is that since a couple of years ago even the UN has started to promote a message on equal rights for LGBT and non-LGBT population. But in many states around the world such as Uganda and Russian Federation the homophobic rhetoric from the political stage is sending wrong and in many cases dreadful signals to the public. Political values are after all affecting the hearts and minds of the citizens. It is iimportant to aspire for wiping out the homophobic rhetoric that is being used by politicians.

Within the EU there are still political parties, even in governments, that either are openly homophobic or do not completely recognize the needs for more LGBT-related human rights. Developments like these are not benefiting the individual. Also EU is not being as tolerant, modern and open as many of its citizens would like it to be. Despite that today being LGBT in the EU is easier than 20 or 30 years ago the fight is still continuing.

Thankfully in many member states around the EU there are laws which are guaranteeing strong rights for the LGBT population and there are societies where the tolerant, modern and humanist values are well represented. And despite achievements it still important to organize manifestations such as the pride parades and to campaign for the rights of the LGBT population. Even if one can hear comments such as ”why do they need to be special” or ”why do they need to make the parades”. The answer should not be simple, it rather should be more developed. For me both the parades and legislation regarding LGBT population is going to be needed until their function is not needed anymore. The ideal should be that is worth fighting for a society where the pride parades are would not be necessary since the full equality would be ensured.

The fight for a more fair society is even important not only for the individuals but also for the families. Today many family across the EU are finding it difficult to be accepted as the members of the society since the family is consisting of two fathers or two mothers. There is much talk about the right or wrong sexual orientation. But is it an orientation at all? Is even the word orientation the right term in this context? In my opinion it is not. Being heterosexual, homosexual, transsexual and intersexual is not the orientation. It is not even about the choice. It is just about being natural and human.

On other side homophobia is a choice. Some individuals are not able to control hate or anger due psychological or biological reasons. But most of us are able to make a choice. To hate or fear somebody and basing it on ignorance, myths or lies instead of knowledge, rationality and inclusiveness is after all a choice. For that reason in order to fight against homophobia from a liberal perspective, the message should be provided what is choice and what is not a choice in a fight for a society that includes more equality, tolerance and individualism.