I have long argued that the far right and the Christofascists in particular eagerly support laws that discriminate against LGBT citizens because such laws allow them to point to the laws as proof that their religious based hate and bigotry is mainstream and correct. Hence the Christianist struggle against the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and opposition by "godly Christians" to every law that would ban anti-gay discrimination in the work place, in housing and accommodations, etc. The more the laws discriminate against gays, the happier the Christofascists will be. This same phenomenon carries over into the struggle for same sex marriage. While the National Organization for Marriage ("NOM") disingenuously claims it is trying to "protect marriage" the fact that NOM and its allies are increasingly pushing the "ex-gay" myth and the fraudulent work of Paul Cameron, the more clear it becomes that the agenda is something else far beyond "protecting marriage." It's about fanning homophobia and setting an atmosphere where anti-gay bullying is seen as perfectly proper. After all, if the law deems gays as inferior, then bullies can feel justified in their abuse of LGBT individuals. A piece in Huffington Post looks at how this legalized discrimination creates support for rampant homophobia and the deadly bullying that goes hand in hand with it. Here are some highlights which seem equally applicable in America:
On May 17 we marked the International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO). It reminded me of the president of Ireland's recent address, speaking at a youth conference in March. President Higgins spoke of the "appalling, destructive reality of homophobia."
President Higgins went on to state, "The idea that any young person could be driven, not just to lower self-esteem, exclusion, isolation, loneliness, but self-destruction itself, is an appalling blight on a society." His words are chilling. His words are true. The president was deservedly commended for his condemnation of the harsh actuality we face as a society. But we're missing something.
Bullying comes about through a lack of empathy inside, displayed outwardly as intolerance. Anti-gay bullying and the denial of marriage equality are not mutually exclusive in that sense. People are bullied because they're perceived as different. We blame the bully, possibly the parents. We want to hold someone accountable. But we need to look at the wider picture. We need to consider the fact that the law treats citizens differently. The law perceives some of us differently. The bullies aren't blind. Whose lead are they following?
The Constitution of Ireland sets out our bill of rights. Article 40.1 makes a guarantee that "[a]ll citizens shall, as human persons, be held equal before the law." And therein lies the problem. The problem is the fact that where the issue of marriage equality is concerned, the emphasis is placed on our gender, on our sexual orientation, whereas marriage laws should be about us as human beings, as "human persons," in line with Article 40.1.
The law doesn't embrace who they are, not fully. Article 40.1 becomes conditionally operational and is precluded from being relied upon in certain circumstances. The family provision, Article 41, goes one step further and even operates to deny a right: the right of marriage. What message is this sending down the line? It's a very strong message. It comes from on high. It comes from the top. It comes from the very document our heroes of history fought to establish, for Ireland, for the people, for all of us.
We're a progressive country. We pride ourselves on embracing all types of people. Why, then, do we stop short of embracing all types of families? How can we teach these youngsters to accept themselves when we know they're going to grow up without full acceptance from society, from the law? The mainstream, and indeed the law, is not reflecting equality. It's not reflecting reality. It's excluding certain people, and it is having a damaging effect.
As I said, the enemies of the LGBT community understand the importance of the law treating us differently. It sends a strong message in support of bigotry and discrimination. All based ultimately on religion. Something all of us are supposed to be able to practice as we wish. Until anti-gay laws are eliminated and marriage equality is allowed nationwide, the promise of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution remains a farce and America is a fraud when it claims to champion freedom of religion. It doesn't. It champions a fear and hated based version of Christianity.
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