What is political homophobia?
The debates about homosexuality have been of interest and causes of conflicts in many cultures across the globe throughout history. The rise of the Nazi in Germany was instrumental to politicization of homophobia.
Political homophobia can be described as the ways or strategies in which political figures, governments, religious and business organizations discriminate systematically on the basis of sexual orientation.
These organizations develop negative feelings and attitudes towards gay people, lesbians, bisexual, and the transgender (LGBT) people. According to Bosia’s presentation (October 3, 2009), homophobia is a toxic import.
Cases of homosexuality, bisexuality, and heterosexuality are misinterpreted by people depending on their cultural or religious groups (Bosia’s presentation 70). The victims of these cases face severe challenges considering that they are discriminated in their societies.
Individuals particularly the homosexual people come out openly to demand that their rights be respected. The three Yemen Men are punished because of having sexual intimacy.
For example, they demanded protection from the French government against assaults of sexual minorities. Many governments have adopted homophobic policies and language, and they have their reasons for doing it.
Why do some countries adopt homophobic policies and language?
Some countries adopt homophobic policies and language for various reasons. The major reasons include selfish political interests, religious attitudes, cultural beliefs, and pressure from other countries, among others.
Since the government figures are influential, they collaborate with other political giants and influence members of the legislature in adopting homophobic policies.
Some government statesmen politicize homophobia with intentions of arousing emotions to gunner votes from potential voters who are also homophobic. This is illustrated in Egypt after the fall of Mubarak. Some political figures used homophobia to gain votes from potential voters (Slackman 1).
Religious attitudes and beliefs are also instrumental to countries adopting homophobic policies and language. Most of the countries that adopt homophobic policies and language are dominated by religions that preach and teach anti-homosexual practices.
Despite the fact that there might be people who view homosexuality positively, most of the world religions are homophobic (Whitehead 477). The Christians condemn same-gender sex relations and base this on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.
The Catholic Church campaigns against the rights of LGBT. With religious people at the top government positions, it is easy for them to influence a country to adopt homophobic policies. Muslims also forbids homosexuality (Sanjakdar par. 2-4).
Since homosexuality is a criminal offense under the Sharia law, countries dominated by Muslims must adopt homophobic policies and language. Some Muslim communities particularly those in Afghanistan used to kill homosexual individuals under the Taliban regime.
After their fall, the government adopted similar policies and language. This led to fines and prison sentence punishments.
Cultural beliefs are also instrumental for countries adopting homophobic policies and language. Some governments particularly the North Korean Government are opposed to the Western gay culture and condemn it.
This clearly shows that, traditionally, homosexuality has been viewed as a vice in this country. Countries that are opposed to homosexuality argue that, before colonization, their citizens never engaged in homosexual acts.
The government figures of North Korea, Iran, Jamaica, and Uganda among others have always campaigned against LGBT rights (Chase 151). Countries dominated by people with cultural beliefs against homosexual relations are likely to adopt homophobic policies and language.
Some countries adopt homophobic policies and language because of pressure from other countries that are developed. Some underdeveloped countries, which greatly depend on established homophobic countries, are easily influenced to adopt homophobic policies.
The fear of losing support from them if they support homosexuality makes them adopt the policy.
Works Cited
Bosia, Michael J. “AIDS and Postcolonial Politics: Acting Up on Science and Immigration in France.”French Politics, Culture & Society 27.1(2009): 69-90. Print.
Chase, Thomas. “Problems of Publicity: Online Activism and Discussion of Same-Sex Sexuality in South Korea and China.”Asian Studies Review 36.2(2012): 151-170. Print.
Sanjakdar, Fida. “Educating For Sexual Difference? Muslim Teachers’ Conversations About Homosexuality.”Sex Education 13.1(2013): 16-29. Print.
Slackman, Michael. Islamist Group Is Rising Force In a New Egypt. 2011. Web.
Whitehead, Andrew L. “Gendered Organizations and Inequality Regimes: Gender, Homosexuality, and inequality within Religious Congregations.”Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion 52.3 (2013): 476-493. Print.