Our Readers' Opinions
March 15, 2013
Where does SVG stand?
Fri Mar 15, 2013
Editor: They say when America catches a cold the Caribbean gets pneumonia. Can the same be said for progress? While the United States and the current Obama administration is moving forward with equality and non-discrimination in public policy for equality in marriage regardless of sexual orientation, SVG is still struggling with homosexuality. {{more}}
Â
Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, South Africa, countries in South America and around the world have long since decriminalized homosexuality. Same sex couples can also legally marry in many countries now. How will SVG participate and be accepted on the world stage with such dichotomous views and discriminatory laws? Is the tourism and commerce industry in SVG ready to welcome married same sex couples, while they criminalize their own lesbian, gay and transgender citizens? This is contradiction at its best. Will SVG refuse foreign aid, on principle, from countries that donât discriminate against homosexuals? History will tell what side you chose to be on; social integrity versus a caste system.
The homophobes in SVG usually start off with the Bible as their defense of their deep rooted hatred. When that doesnât result in a rational, logical debate, as they negate other scriptures to make their own lives palatable, they try to demonize gay and lesbians as sexual predators of children. Itâs embarrassing to read such unfounded and baseless views in the local newspapers.
According to the American Psychological Association, gay men are not more likely to sexually abuse children than heterosexual men are. You never hear bigots branding all heterosexuals as pedophiles. Also the Child Molestation Research and Prevention Institute states that 90 per cent of child molesters target children in their network of family and friends. The myth of the strange, unknown gay man hiding in the shadows waiting to grab your child when you arenât looking is just that, a myth.
Mark Twain said, “never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the differenceâ.
Sean Macleish
Comments
