Thank goodness we're spreading peace and freedom around the world!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/7/05 at 1:33am

Someone explain to me - S L O W L Y and with patience, please - why I'm supposed to be contributing to this with my money and by national association?

I am ready for the revolution.


Article. Updated On: 10/7/05 at 01:33 AM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/7/05 at 2:23am

Is gay marriage really an issue in Palestine? I wouldn't think they would have enough openly gay couples to create a political movement, especially in a place where dancing is considered immoral.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/7/05 at 2:25am

Marriage is only being evoked because it's the 'buzzword' of the moment. In effect, it's all gay interaction that is condemned - like it is in many other Arab and African countries.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/7/05 at 3:01am

I figured that was why, I just thought it was really odd that the issue was brought up in the first place. Considering how strict the culture is, it seems the answer would be pretty obvious, but they probably wanted a quote to go with it.

It's pretty strange that people here in American complaining about how conservative and homophobic our government is, when places like Africa and the Middle East are infinitely worse and rarely get as much attention. My high school boyfriend was from Nigeria and he literally couldn't understand why everyone was okay with my friend being openly gay. He wasn't homophobic, it was just a culture shock to go from being raised in a place where everyone saw gay people as "a minority of perverts and the mentally and morally sick" to the level of acceptance here in America.

I was at this symposium earlier this evening and the speaker talked about how important it is to learn about other cultures through their eyes and not your own, so I'm trying to think about this more from a sociocultural standpoint. I'm not trying to justify their homophobia, I just don't think it's fair to judge other cultures for not being as socially progressive as America currently is.

Um, yeah, end of soapbox moment.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/7/05 at 3:03am

Orange - I actually agree with you.

The thing is, it's especially galling as we stomp around the world promoting OUR sense of rightness.

And being a member of the minority in question - no matter how mild the discrimination - makes me a little sensitive to the subject.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 10/7/05 at 3:11am

I totally understand what you meant. I wasn't speaking about you specifically, just kind of talking my way through potential arguments that could arise from these statements.

As for America promoting its own sense of righteousness, even though I'm a conscientious objector, I'm just glad we're the ones with the better weapons and not them.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 10/7/05 at 3:19am

"As for America promoting its own sense of righteousness, even though I'm a conscientious objector, I'm just glad we're the ones with the better weapons and not them."

Hehe. That's an entire degree's worth of discussion there, so I'll leave it alone

And I really didn't take anything personally - I actually really appreciated your thoughtful and well presented post!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 10/7/05 at 9:41am

a minority of perverts and the mentally and morally sick

Well, sure, but only if you do it right.