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Some History of LGBT Related Laws

History of LGBT-Related Laws


Taken From WikiPedia


Throughout history and across cultures, the regulation of sexuality reflects broader cultural norms.


Most of the history of sexuality is unrecorded. Even recorded norms do not always shed full light on actual practices, as it is sometimes the case that historical accounts are written by foreigners with cryptic political agendas.


In the earlier centuries of ancient Rome (particularly during the Roman Republic) and prior to its Christianization, the Lex Scantinia forbade homosexual acts. In later centuries during, men of status were free to have sexual intercourse, heterosexual or homosexual, with anyone of a lower social status, provided that they remained dominant during such interaction. During the reign of Caligula, prostitution was legalized and taxed, and homosexual prostitution was seen openly in conjunction with heterosexual prostitution. The Warren Cup is a rare example of a Roman artefact that depicts homosexuality that was not destroyed by Christian authorities, although it was suppressed. A fresco from the public baths of the once buried city of Pompeii depicts a homosexual and bisexual sex act involving two adult men and one adult woman. The Etruscan civilization left behind the Tomb of the Diver, which depicts homosexual men in the afterlife.


In feudal Japan, homosexuality was recognized, between equals (bi-do), in terms of pederasty (wakashudo), and in terms of prostitution. The Samurai period was one in which homosexuality was seen as particularly positive. In Japan, the younger partner in a pederastic relationship was expected to make the first move; the opposite was true in ancient Greece. Homosexuality was later briefly criminalized due to Westernization.


The berdache two-spirit class in some Native American tribes are examples of ways in which some cultures integrated homosexuals into their society by viewing them, not with the homosexual and heterosexual dichotomy of most of the modern world, but as twin beings, possessing aspects of both sexes.


The ancient Law of Moses (the Torah) forbids men lying with men (intercourse) in Leviticus 18 and gives a story of attempted homosexual rape in Genesis in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, the cities being soon destroyed after that. The death penalty was prescribed.


Similar prohibitions are found across Indo-European cultures in Lex Scantinia in Ancient Rome and nith in protohistoric Germanic culture, or the Middle Assyrian Law Codes dating 1075 BC.


Laws prohibiting homosexuality were also passed in communist China. (The People's Republic of China neither adopted an Abrahamic religion nor was colonized, except for Hong Kong and Macau which were colonized with Victorian era social mores and maintain separate legal system from the rest of the PRC.) Homosexuality was not decriminalized there until 1997. Prior to 1997, homosexual in mainland China was found guilty included in a general definition under the vague vocabulary of hooliganism, there are no specifically anti-homosexual laws.


In modern times eight countries have no official heterosexist discrimination. They are Argentina, Belgium, Iceland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, South Africa, and Spain. This full non-discrimination includes the rights of marriage and adoption. Two additional countries have marriage rights for same-sex couples, namely Portugal and Canada, but in Portugal this right does not include same-sex adoption, and in Canada it varies by jurisdiction (it is legal everywhere except in Nunavut and Yukon). The Canadian Blood Services’ policy indefinitely defers any man who has sex with another man, even once, since 1977. LGBT people in the USA face different laws for certain medical procedures than other groups. For example, gay men have been prohibited from giving blood since 1983, and George W. Bush's FDA guidelines barred them from being sperm donors as of 2005, even though all donated sperm is screened for sexually-transmitted diseases and even the most promiscuous heterosexual men are not barred from donating.


Appreciation to AGM for his contribution.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Everything Is Relative

As a Gay man living in America my perception of the Gay Rights issue is based on the discrimination and brutality I have encountered over the course of my lifetime up until now.


I had a conversation recently with a new friend I met online. We have talked about the similarities we share despite the years and miles that lie between us. I am of a different generation than he is and he lives on the exact opposite side of the world from me. We find each others tastes in many things familiar.

I have a partner of many, many years and a loving, supportive family and circle of friends. We live a comfortable life surrounding by love and acceptance with our beautiful beagles, cats and birds. My new friend remarked how he envied the life I had with so many wonderful people surrounding me. I told him I envied him because he had a son and I would not have been able to be a father in the traditional sense because I just can't pretend to be straight and make babies with a woman, lol.

This is when my eyes were opened about how good life really is for me and all Gay Americans.


He said that to avoid arrest he must pretend to be straight at all times. He goes with women even though he would prefer to be with men. He told me he did have a boyfriend but they could never be together the way I was together with my partner. In the country where he lives homosexuals are routinely arrested and sent to prison. The fear he must feel each time he has thoughts about a man must be difficult to endure. His life is completely controlled by his government. His freedom is dependent on his ability to fit into the straight world. I can't imagine living in such fear.


The next time I feel that the government is oppressing Gays by not repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell or by not allowing Gay Marriage I will just think about my friend who lives a life that is dictated by a hellish group of religious monsters who force their will on everyone in his country.


He lives in Singapore and if you read one of the earlier posts here on this blog you will get an idea of what is going on there.


Here's to you my friend!


Gideon



2 comments:

  1. wish i had the money and a way to move your friend and his partner to the states we we can live they way we choose until the government takes away our right as well

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you hwst4. In a perfect world everyone would be allowed to find their own happiness. We must live in this world and make the best of it by leaning on each other for support. Your support is very much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete