Homosexuality – a Human Right or Indecency

M.Vatsov,12grade
The homosexual relations are undoubtedly some of the most commented moral-related aspects in our society today. This kind of sexual contacts shows a great deal of discontent in most of the nations around the world. The idea of equality between homosexual people and heterosexual ones is literally unimaginable in some patriarchal communities and nations who used to be or still are under socialistic control. However, in this century of democratic prevalence and humanity we are all obliged to respect the rights of all people notwithstanding their differences.

In my country the homosexuals and their activities are widely rejected by the community. Although we are not a religious society a lot of the Bulgarians think that such behavior is immoral and degrading as well. There were several gay parades in Sofia and they were all sabotaged with acts of violence and humiliation by anti-gay activists. The majority of the elder people in Bulgaria was influenced a lot from the socialistic regime before 1989 and disapproves the homosexuals, even in their own families. The religious activists are also ill disposed towards the gay people and claim them sinners, but it is interesting to see what the Holy Bible says about this issue:

Leviticus 20:13 If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltiness is upon them.

Romans 9:26"It will be that in the place where it was said to them, 'You are not my people,' There they will be called 'children of the living God.'"

This practically states that the Bible is rejecting the homosexual activity, but not the homosexual orientation. The reason for the Bible’s stand is to protect the people from harmful behavior. Homosexual sexual activity is known as a major risk factor for HIV infection, and homosexuals have been some of the main groups suffering and dying from AIDS. Another relating and interesting quote from the Bible gives us a lot to think about:

Samuel 1:26 "I grieve for you, Jonathan my brother; you were very dear to me. Your love for me was wonderful, more wonderful than that of women."

Hereby I mention a comment made by B.A. Robinson:

In the society of ancient Israel, it was not considered proper for a man and woman to have a platonic relationship. Men and women rarely spoke to each other in public. Since David's only relationships with women would have been sexual in nature, then he must be referring to sexual love here. It would not make sense in this verse to compare platonic love for a man with sexual love for a woman; they are two completely different phenomena. It would appear that David is referring to his sexual love for Jonathan.

Today, living in democracy we must honor the free will of everyone around us as long as they do no harm to us or the society. Everyone has the right of his own likes and dislikes and the sexuality is a part of them. I think that we have to be able to accept the sexual diversity as far as it is not imposed to us in an indecent way. Let’s see what the procedure in Europe is. I made a personal inquiry in the site of the European Court of Human Rights and this is the text which concerns the sexual discrimination:

Protocol No. 12 to the Convention for

the Protection of Human Rights and

Fundamental Freedoms

Rome, 4.XI.2000

The member States of the Council of Europe signatory hereto,

Having regard to the fundamental principle according to which all

persons are equal before the law and are entitled to the equal protection

of the law;

Being resolved to take further steps to promote the equality of all

persons through the collective enforcement of a general prohibition of

discrimination by means of the Convention for the Protection of Human

Rights and Fundamental Freedoms signed at Rome on 4 November

1950 (hereinafter referred to as .the Convention.);

Reaffirming that the principle of non-discrimination does not prevent

States Parties from taking measures in order to promote full and

effective equality, provided that there is an objective and reasonable

justification for those measures,

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1 . General prohibition of discrimination

1 The enjoyment of any right set forth by law shall be secured without

discrimination on any ground such as sex, race, colour, language,

religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association

with a national minority, property, birth or other status.

2 No one shall be discriminated against by any public authority on any

ground such as those mentioned in paragraph 1.

Nowadays when it comes to the homosexuals more and more countries adapt their laws to the context of this Protocol No.12. It is a matter of time for the gay orientation to get accepted in the societies, which in my opinion would be the next milestone in the social development of the humankind.