Ignorance + criminality = life cheapened
Many years ago I had attempted a piece with a similar caption in this column. (It attracted a lot of attention, I recall.) Two years ago I essayed another offering on “same-sex partners”, a (new) social phenomenon which now also attracts the attention of those of us over – 60/70.
The very recent, or is it current(?), Georgetown scandal, based on allegations of an Office of the President male senior staffer soliciting the sexual attention of a male minor, has combined with the recall of my afore-mentioned two pieces to re-direct my interest in my captioned issue.
An inconvenient fact
As I’ve hinted above, the social issue of same-sex partners, homosexuality and lesbianism in today’s world might be sensitive, awkward and inconvenient for me. I’ve been brought up with certain mores, values and understandings (some with a Christian/religious underpinning) and I am hoping to get closer to seventy – in a few years. So I have to appreciate, even accept, that the issue might be “inconvenient” only to my type!
For same-sex relationships and homosexuality have arrived on our local social landscape with an intensity – albeit silently closeted. Until now I re-cycle some of my earlier thoughts on the issue immediately hereunder.
I suspect that when I passed my fiftieth year on this earth many years ago -I became much more tolerant of behaviours my youth found to be offensive, illegal or of undesirable influence. (Homosexuals lived in hell in old time Guyana!) So I now can tolerate certain behaviours as long as the protagonists do not offend me openly or interfere with my rights (to disagree or express opinion on the behaviours, for example).
In this country there is still no right to be a murderer or to smoke marijuana openly. You do not even have a right to express yourself in obscene language, though at no time have I ever been shown a list of words deemed obscene. (I suppose language that rankles our peace and sensibilities and which threaten our security is “obscene”). So too there is no right to legal same-sex, marriages in Guyana or even any legal approval of same-sex reputed unions.
What there certainly is – and must be – is freedom of choice!
Why the same sex?
You realize, of course, that life itself is, largely a question of choices. Yes, on many occasions, you have no choice or limited options. But you choose your own paths and preferences religion, job, profession, spirit, and hobby and yes your life-partner.
Now, in terms of homosexuality and lesbianism because I’m no militant Christian, I won’t invoke the usual Biblical injunctions against the behaviour being discussed here, And whilst I am indeed impressed by the Roger Williams case against same-sex behaviours – with all his scientific facts and his explanation of how eroded straight people’s rights become when gays insist on their rights -I must state that Frankly Speaking, I respect the choices gays and lesbians are entitled to, when they choose to live with their own gender. The problem, I appreciate is that these folks must not dare to propagate their lifestyle and its consequences. So I am defending their right to choose. Not to aggressively influence, though the chances and risks will be there. We just can’t trample people’s right to choose, however. Amidst all the debate world-wide, what I don’t see enough of is the reasons persons turn to the same sex. What factors contribute to the making of homosexuals and gays? Genetics? Acquired behaviours in particular environments? Becoming fed up with abuse from the opposite sex? This is what I want to delve further into. Can SASOD individuals assist?
“So sad”, says SASOD
The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) qualifies, I suppose, as being the leading, most structured group actively defending the rights of Guyana’s “same-gender” community. (I believe there is another New Amsterdam-based organization with affiliations in the Caribbean (?) – The SASOD website is replete with its rationale for being: doggedly demanding that parliament passes legislation to protect the rights – indeed to enshrine them – of the country’s gay and lesbian population. They want all aspects of discrimination in terms of one’s sexual preferences, to be deemed unlawful. In a word SASOD calls for “An inclusive Guyana – without discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation”. Funny that “sexual orientation” means only one thing, used in this context. And I’m sure that SASOD knows that you can pass all the laws you want but you can’t legislate love, even tolerance.
So as I note SASOD’s strong views on Sexual Orientation and Child Abuse – (“SASOD strongly objects to the view proposed by some religious leaders that opposing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation means promoting the sexual abuse of children. SASOD believes that pedophilia is a grave and heinous crime and encourages our lawmakers to review our laws to ensure that all perpetrators of sexual violence – regardless of their sexual orientation – could be brought to justice without trauma to their innocent victims.”) – I ask the organization to educate me as to just why persons turn to the same gender to experience love, acceptance, care, responsibility and the complete sharing of a life on earth. Then spare some more time to persuade me how to explain same-gender love to our children!
Guyana’s Gays – in high places
Years ago, I did a piece in these columns remarking on the prevalence and positions male homosexuals hold in Guyana. Whether in their closets or inside, I found that there were Homos in high places then. In politics – in many political parties – in the Arts and Entertainment, in the Police and Defence Forces, even in the Church. I quipped then that gays would leave more females available for me – as I still find women extremely attractive and normal.
My naughty but knowledgeable friends quickly cautioned that, many homos of “standing” actually had wives!
Now those friends, who move around towns and out-of-city haunts, tell me that in 2009 girls are turning to girls more!
What!? I exclaimed in indignation. The fellas then directed me to certain houses in Georgetown, certain “spots” on the East Bank of Demerara and its West Coast and to certain discoes I know little of. Girls pair up at tables. Not to await male partners but to have a swinging night out with their own. Must I believe this? (Mind you I can understand girls “understanding” their own better than dominant males…)
Is it Global Warming that is causing such a shift away from the more traditional “normal” man-woman relationships? Why, I even allowed myself a smile when I saw certain male journalists reporting on the allegations against Mister McKoy. Ho-ho-ho, I thought to myself.
Ignorance, Criminality = Murder
I’ll leave this issue for next time. My old fashioned heart wants to burst in despair as I behold daily wanton destruction of human life in my country. I’m not writing about elsewhere, even though I appreciate influences. Who are the perpetrators of murder, manslaughter and physical assaults? Why? Next time.
Ponder well…
1*) OK Dave, confident that you are unlike the fellow who approached you on Regent Street, I’ll “expand” on why I never even give a thought to leaving the land of my birth – now a relatively blighted place – to become a citizen, on paper, of anywhere else on the planet.
I did, you know, imply same when I strained to list what’s still good about this place. Look out for it soon. Has to do with a lack of ambition, pride at being born here, a real “belonger” – and sensing how others can still “love their country” from – or after being – abroad! Coming soon.
*2) How’s the government building at High and Princes streets coming along? After years?
*3) Who burnt down the Ministry of Health HQ?
*4) The PNC Reform-One Guyana must not snigger too loudly about real or perceived homosexuality in high places. You could guess why.
’Til Next Week!
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