Once again, we are faced with attempts to impose rules on us. We are told who to be, who to love, who to sleep with, what to do and what not to do. And not only authoritarian regimes and intimidated citizens do so, but also respected European countries. How is this possible in the modern world?
The other day, actress and activist Angelina Jolie reminded again on her Instagram page that in the 21st century it is unacceptable to persecute people only for whom they love, if someone thinks it is ‘wrong’.
«All over the world, people face discrimination because of their love preferences, sexual orientation and personal identity. People who belong to the LGBTQI+ community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersexual, queer) are subjected to unfair treatment in various spheres of life. Laws must guarantee equal rights for all, regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Regardless of their location,» says Angelina.
WHOSE SIDE IS THE LAW ON?
The Hollywood star is certainly right. But her call for the law is a cry into the void. According to The Guardian, 72 countries still have criminal penalties for same-sex relationships. Eight of those countries even provide for the death penalty.
Even nine countries, as after this article appeared in a British newspaper, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed a relevant law providing for the death penalty or life imprisonment for homosexuality, as well as for ‘recruiting, promoting and funding same-sex activities’ (as it is abnormally phrased!).
President Museveni has been ruling Uganda since 1986, when he came to power after a long civil war. However, it was not until 1996 that the first free elections were held, in which he himself won (perhaps not surprisingly). Since then, he has pulled out all the stops to retain power for life.
What kind of future does this man hold for his people? Even the most modest estimates show that 88 % of the country’s population lives below the poverty line. Well, now is just the time to categorically reject same-sex relationships. After all, homosexuals have brought the country to this state, and now they must be executed. Perhaps that is the logic underlying the thinking of this aging dictator.
There are only 195 countries in the world. This means that in 37% of the countries on the planet, people can be imprisoned or lose their lives for love. And it must be emphasized that all of this is done according to the laws of these countries.
Punishment for the Right to Love
When we talk about laws that should be the same for everyone, we usually envision the countries of the free world. But even here in 2023, things are not as rosy as we would like when it comes to LGBTQI+ rights.
Let us consider, for example, Hungary, a member of the European Union. Since 2010, under Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Budapest has passed a number of laws restricting the rights of homosexuals and transsexuals. They had not even shy away from amending the Constitution by introducing a provision that the father should be male and the mother female. This looks extremely stupid, because the Basic Law of the country is not a biology textbook!
The Hungarian government and parliament have taken their homophobia to the point that they have tried to legislate for the denunciation of same-sex parents. Fortunately, President Katalin Novak opposed the document, but the story is not over.
Indeed, in many European countries, legislators are gradually equating LGBTQI+ rights with those of other citizens. However, in 2022, the number of crimes related to homophobia and transphobia increased dramatically. Violence against members of this community has increased in France, Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. For example, SOS Homophobie reports that in France, violent behaviour towards gays has increased by 28%, and towards transgender people by 27%.
The UN has noted an alarming trend: members of the LGBTQI+ community around the world face human rights violations, including discrimination in education and employment, unacceptable treatment, expulsion from the family, physical violence, torture and murder.
These days, more than 60 % of new HIV infections have been among homosexuals. It is mostly due to the denial of proper medical care because of their sexual orientation. This is an absolutely unacceptable and outrageous situation! We have to do something about it. Some time ago, I donated 200,000 euros to the Elton John AIDS Foundation to support people living with HIV around the world.
IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
I am not going to delve into the subject that all human beings were created by nature as they are. Nor do I intend to give many examples of homosexuality from the animal world. Let me just say that everything that exists in nature is aimed at maintaining the balance that is the foundation of life on this planet.
I am well aware that it is impossible to impose rules of civilized behavior on the entire world. However, in a free world, it is possible to restrict rights and humanitarian assistance to countries that discriminate against LGBTQI+ people.
Abuse of human rights has no place in today’s world. The Vatican has long apologized for the Inquisition and stated that LGBTQI+ people deserve respect and acceptance. Last year, a group of Catholic bishops in Belgium proposed a liturgy for same-sex couples. Although the Holy See is resisting for now, but I believe it is only a matter of time.
Until then, LGBTQI+ refugees should seek political asylum in civilized countries where norms and values are respected. After all, people fleeing violence and persecution need international protection. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is right when he says that ‘being yourself should not be considered a crime’. It remains to be conveyed to the Governments of those countries that still doubt this postulate.
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