Globalized identity: Homosexuals, do they have a commonly accepted identity?

Some argued that due to globalization, local and traditional cultures are giving way to the Western liberalist ideals. Western ideas may, and normally does, come into conflict with religious and traditional beliefs. Hence, these Western influences may be seen as undesirable and as a threat to one’s identity. However, in my opinion, if globalization is eroding cultures worldwide, it is not putting a stop to our long disdain against the homosexuals. I also feel that the homosexuals, being ostracized and discriminated against, do not really have an identity.
I do not deny that due to the spread of Western ideas such as democracy, freedom of choice and freedom of speech, we are more willing to accept the homosexuals. We are enlightened by psychologists that there is nothing wrong being a homosexual. But, I feel, that does not mean we are integrating them in our lives. We still tend to stereotype them, viewed that they are “unnatural” and make jokes about them. In social, political and religious aspects, we are still denying them an identity as long as we do not view them as equals to heterosexuals. To me, discriminating against them is no difference from the unequal treatment resulting from racial discrimination. True, homosexuals may have good economic status, received good education and better opportunities than compared to, maybe, the minorities in a country, but they are not viewed as the “normal” people that fall into the common social norms. They are still marginalized in the three aspects I mentioned above. If they have an identity, it would be a hybrid of the resistance and project identity.

The two largest religions around the world, Islam and Christianity, do not accept homosexuals- they are the outcasts, just like those in the Indian caste system. The Bible state specifically that homosexuality is not acceptable in God’s eyes. “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.” (Leviticus 18:22). The Islamic Sharia laws, too, view homosexuality as a crime and is forbidden in most Islamic countries like Saudi Arabia and Iran. Homosexuality is also not encouraged in most religions like Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism and more. Those who firmly believe in their religions will not accept the homosexuals. They are socialized by religions to reject the homosexuals.

The rejection of homosexuals can be further justified, and hence encouraged, via political laws. In Singapore, Section 377A of the Penal Code criminalizes homosexual sex. Homosexuals are also denied the right to purchase public houses since same-sex marriage is banned in Singapore. The Indian Penal Code, too, punishes anyone who has voluntarily committed carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal (now, a homosexual is regarded as an equal to an animal here, so a homosexual is inferior being?). In Muslim countries, like Saudi Arabia, Iran, northern Nigeria and Sudan, same-sex intercourse officially carries the death penalty. Even if death penalty is not legitimized in the countries, the government can incorporate jail terms, fines or even whipping as punishment. In the Taliban era, public execution is legitimized (homosexuals may be punished by letting a wall collapse onto them. If they survive the impact after 30 mins, they are deemed forgiven and given treatment). Homosexuals are also legally persecuted in communist China. Such laws further justify (if religion did not) the act of ostracizing and discrimination against the homosexuals. The laws further enhanced our beliefs that the homosexuals are the “untouchables”, and deserved to be treated unfairly.

Professor mentioned that religion and politics themselves serve as very powerful tools to legitimize the “correct” identity, and this identity can be further used to justify their acts. In dealing with homosexuals, politics and religions are intertwined, thus creating an even more powerful force to justify our unfair treatment towards the homosexuals. This may be the main reason why we are unwilling to integrate the homosexuals in our social lives. We think it is “right” to view them as weirdos, unnatural beings, and thus denying them the right to be our equals (equal here do not mean allowing positive discrimination, it just means as a “normal” human to me).

Hence, even though homosexuals have better opportunities in some countries (namely the Western countries which are more willing to acknowledge the rights of homosexuals to live as equals), socially, they are still very deprived of the freedom to live like a “normal” person. To me, this is not much difference to say the minorities or even the terrorists, because it is basically the same fundamental deprivation- the right to be treated as equal, “normal” or “the majority” that caused them to be without a recognized and approved identity.



References:
Ø The Discrimination Against Homosexuals in the Christian Church. Emily Holland. http://www.fatalistic.net/kouri/discrim.html
Ø Indian Penal Code. http://www.vakilno1.com/bareacts/IndianPenalCode/S377.htm