Just as in the United States, France
has had a political dialogue regarding the rights of gay citizens in recent
years. During President Francois
Hollande’s campaign, he made promises to entitle all of the same rights
afforded to heterosexual couples to same-sex couples. Shortly after his
election, a bill was drafted that if passed, would provide a huge push towards
rights for the homosexual community. Inter-LGBT,
a gay, lesbian, and transgender rights organization in France declared that
legislators had a “unique opportunity” to grant long overdue rights to
homosexuals.
This campaign has been met with intense resistance, primarily from the French Catholic Church, but also from other religious groups and unassociated conservative citizens. In an attempt to garner support against gay marriage, on January 13, hundreds of thousands of people marched through the streets of Paris. A CNN iReporter Oluwasegun Olowu-Davies who attended the march (and shot video of it) stated "I do not personally agree with gay marriage as I am a Christian and believe what the Bible says about marriage being between one woman and one man for a life time." He went on to say "If your lifestyle doesn't allow you to conceive, there is a reason.”
The fact that President Obama mentioned gay’s rights in his inauguration address parallels this issue. In my opinion, it is highly discriminatory to keep rights from homosexuals. Also, to Oluwasegun Olowu-Davies’s point, I would argue that a barren heterosexual would not be able to conceive either, but obviously they should not be discriminated against.
This campaign has been met with intense resistance, primarily from the French Catholic Church, but also from other religious groups and unassociated conservative citizens. In an attempt to garner support against gay marriage, on January 13, hundreds of thousands of people marched through the streets of Paris. A CNN iReporter Oluwasegun Olowu-Davies who attended the march (and shot video of it) stated "I do not personally agree with gay marriage as I am a Christian and believe what the Bible says about marriage being between one woman and one man for a life time." He went on to say "If your lifestyle doesn't allow you to conceive, there is a reason.”
The fact that President Obama mentioned gay’s rights in his inauguration address parallels this issue. In my opinion, it is highly discriminatory to keep rights from homosexuals. Also, to Oluwasegun Olowu-Davies’s point, I would argue that a barren heterosexual would not be able to conceive either, but obviously they should not be discriminated against.
I completely agree with you, Harrison. Rights should not be kept back from homosexuals. They are humans just like everyone else and there is no difference between us. I understand that the Bible does not agree with same sex relationships however, in Leviticus 21:17-18 (a Bible verse very close to those about same sex relationships) it talks about how if a person has a birth defect or some sort of a special need, that they should not be allowed to come to the alter and receive Jesus' body. Also, in Leviticus 20:9 the Bible says that anyone who talks badly about their parents should be put to death. Surely, a good portion of our population wouldn't be here right now if this was strictly followed just like the "law" about same sex relationships.
ReplyDeleteI also agree. There's no reason that people that are homosexual/bisexual/etc. should have any less civil rights than other humans. They're people, as well. I was watching an interview with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the President of Iran, a few months ago and it amazes me how there are people in power that discriminate against these groups of people. It baffles me how so many governments are still oppressing people because of something they have no control over, and it makes me glad to see that countries other than the U.S. are starting to have these conversations.
ReplyDeleteI agree as well. I wrote about gay rights last week, and it really does amaze me at how so many people discriminate against homosexuals. The fact that people degrade them so much is very disappointing. They're humans just like us and should have the same rights as us. I would like to see the whole world make a push to start giving homosexuals fair treatment.
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