As Africans, we need to know that not only
must we set our political and economic compass, but also standardize our moral
compass. The ‘Gay’ issue is a very important one, and thus, I contribute some
input as Nigerians wait for our president to sign the same-sex bill into law.
Firstly, there are important items to note
on regulations and legislature. It is pertinent we recognize that there is no
global union or governing body of thought that has the authority to determine (including
via intimidation) what individual states decide on this sensitive religious and
cultural issue.
On marriage issues, some nations decide for
or against (the right of choice for) polygamy for instance, as others decide
for or against same-sex marriage. These are territorial choices and not subject
to regulation under any global authority.
The existence of an international
regulative system on issues of marriage and moral social behavior only obtains
under cultures and the religions, Christianity, Islam and the like.
Very importantly, under no situation should
there be public violence against the Effeminate and same-sex attracted.
Now with respect to the conversation on Gay
rights, here is a compilation of some very important facts and features:
1. The common header, ‘Gay rights’ presents a false premise. Most of
the conversation is actually about ‘privileges,’ and not ‘rights.’ A right is a
thing inherent and ‘inalienable,’ whereas a privilege is an additional ability
granted by authority.
2. Another popular misconception is of being ‘born gay.’ Medically you
cannot be born gay. Sexuality is ONLY determined at puberty. Suggesting
homosexuality at birth is erroneous and misleading. Puberty is associated with
the release of the sex hormones on which we depend for our sexuality
determination.
CONCLUDING PART AFTER THE BREAK. PLS CLICK ON READ MORE BELOW
3. Biologically there are only two sexes. Male and Female. In Biology
today, the presence of a ‘Y’ chromosome automatically confers the ‘Male’
status. The lack of the ‘Y,’ makes you female. Having extra ‘X’ chromosomes,
but possessing a ‘Y’ predicts effeminate behavior in a Biological Male. Sex at
birth can only be qualified biologically as based on a determined—or effects or
absence of effects of a ‘Y’ chromosome.
4. Genetic determination of Homosexuality, though often sought and
referenced, is not particularly relevant to the conversation. This is simply
because, even if/as genes are found that link Homosexual behavior; this
isolation of related genes does not demonstrate/translate to normalcy. Genetic
linkage has been discovered in disorders like Diabetes, Hypertension, even in
Obesity, Smoking and Cancer. These genetically linked conditions are still
public health concerns.
5. Regardless of what we want to think, the anus is not a sex organ; as
also the mouth isn’t. This is important as regards discussions of sex within
and across sexes. Sex organs are equipped with cellular barriers, lubricants,
natural immunity defense systems and other safety tools that preserve health of
individual and society with prolonged sexual use. As regards anal sex, Coprophilia
is also to be considered.
6. Effeminacy happens. Under no circumstance should effeminate men be
beaten up. Same sex attraction (SSA) is also a normal occurrence. These things
happen and are related to deficiencies in hormonal level, along with other
complex social-cultural and nutritional prevailing conditions. SSA must always
be distinguished from male-sex-male (MSM), Lesbianism, etc.
7. Lewdness, promiscuity, randiness, fornication, sodomy; all sexual
tendencies are strictly the citizen’s private business and MUST always remain
so. ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell.” Under no circumstance should any one, Gay or
Straight wear T-shirts that say- ‘I like to have sex with such and such.’ This
is your private business. As far as the state is concerned—being a public
health matter—sex is only encouraged
under marriage unions.
8. Sad facts prove that male-to-male sex is the most risky sex;
currently in the United States, men engaged in male-sex-male (MSM) are
consistently responsible over the years for up to 70% of new HIV infections;
are likely to die young; have high levels of other sex related diseases and
even psycho-social problems. Whoever (in his private life) decides to engage in
this risky sex should take extreme precaution for self and society. Promiscuous
heterosexuals also at high risk, must also take precaution serious and the
advertisement of such behavior—in music videos for instance—should be strongly discouraged.
9. The Bible condemns homosexuality (as deserving death) rather
unambiguously (Romans 1:26-27). It even goes as far as condemning those who
support it (Romans 1: 32).
10. Islam likewise strongly condemns homosexual acts. But Islam as
related in a Hadith does not direct the effeminate to be beaten or killed; however
it regards them as ‘cursed,’ and directs them to be ‘turned out of Muslim
houses.’
11. Economics of state plurisexuality: Moral and cultural obligations aside,
developing nations, already financially decrepit, cannot bear the economic
implications of an official plural sexual society. Disease and other health
stresses are well documented as referenced above and will further stretch thin
an over stretched health care system. The additional costs—usually not
considered—include educational costs and even public and private facility costs.
Plurisexuality has its burdens; in Ireland, 234 million Euro’s was sought for ‘loo's
for us too,’ separate toilets for the different sexes. The same is being tabled
in many U.S. states. And these societal burdens promise to continue to unfold
with increasing privileges and comfort.
12. Some prominent Medical specialists and groups maintain an alternate explanation
and believe in therapy for homosexuality. Controversial NARTH, (National
Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality) is one of the largest,
consisting of over 3000 scientific and religious experts in North America,
including the guy who sequenced the human genome and former presidents of the
American Psychiatric Association. NARTH
presents alternative information and research than what is popularly in the
media.
13. How it may or may not affect you: The long-term herd-psychological
ramifications of MSM, Lesbian, Transsexual, and the like societies (long-term
psychological impacts of straight men for instance, being savored and stalked by
men) is something that has not yet been studied in detail, as official
recognition of homosexual relationships is new even in western societies. There
are prospective studies and retrospective (historic) cohort studies; understanding
how it affects us, falls in the latter category and can only be determined
after years of prevalence. Until results come out, it is not advisable, for
instance that children are taught that ‘a marriage (or family) is a union
between a man and a woman, man and man or woman and woman,’ or taught, as
obtains now in many western societies, not to use the words, ‘dad,’ and ‘mom,’
any longer.
This discussion is obviously condensed for article palatability. For
an expansive discussion on any of these points, or for additional references, you
may email drbrimah@ends.ng. To read more
on these points, you may email me for a copy of a book I wrote on the far from
simple subject, ‘Homosexuality Why Not.’ Book can be seen here: http://homosexualitywhynot.org/.
Dr. Peregrino Brimah
http://ENDS.ng [Every Nigerian Do Something]
Email: drbrimah@ends.ng Twitter: @EveryNigerian
http://ENDS.ng [Every Nigerian Do Something]
Email: drbrimah@ends.ng Twitter: @EveryNigerian
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