Blog #10: Russian court rejects complaint from gay teacher fired for ‘immoral’ behaviour

Summary:

In Russia, a teacher’s photo was released all over the Russian social media due to an anti-gay activist from St. Petersburg releasing it on his profile along with the name of the individual and their place of employment. The teacher intended for this photo of her kissing another woman to remain private, as she made the photo inaccessible to the public. Somehow the photo got into the wrong hands, and with this, the release of this photo began to spread awareness to the parents, of the children who attend the school, of the teacher’s personal sexual life. With awareness of the sexual orientation of the teacher came complaint after complaint from the parents as well as eventual dismissal of the teacher. With reason of dismissal from the teaching position being discrimination of sexual orientation, one would assume that the court would be on the professor’s side, but this was not the case. The Russian court rejected the teacher’s complaint and the teacher is facing the consequences of being different from the dominant culture.  

Analysis:

This article is an interesting representation about how socialization can negatively impact an individual and the group they are a part of. It seems that people tend to be more accepting of homosexual relationships and acts based off how the laws are constructed and enforced. In this article particularly, Human rights groups have blamed a Russian law against “gay propaganda” or the increasing rate of homophobia Russia and I would have to agree. If a country is against a certain behavior, in this case homosexual behavior, they construct societies that reflect their beliefs. Laws and the addition of laws show where the country is heading to. Russia started off not approving of homosexuals and their practices and by enforcing more laws that prohibit the development and expansion of homosexuality, there are going to be more homosexuals “in the closet” as well as develop a society that discriminates homosexuality.

Karen Bent

April 24^th 2015

1:52PM

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/23/russian-court-rejects-complaint-gay-teacher-fired-immoral-behaviour

Blog #9 Egypt court backs deportation of ‘gay’ Libyan man

Summary:

Recently in Egypt a Libyan man, who was studying in the Arab Academy for Maritime Transport in Cairo, was deported due to solely being accused of participating in homosexual acts. According to the guardian, ever since the military overthrew the Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in July of 2013 the authorities of Egypt have been targeting members of the LGBT community. This has led to an acceleration of arrest rates for members of the LGBT community. This case of the Libyan man is an example of the many cases of homosexuals that have been targeted. According to the Egyptian media, the reason the judge ruled in favor of the deportation of the Libyan man was to “prevent the spreading of social ills.”

Analysis:

Throughout the search of gaining knowledge on the LGBT around the world for my blog entries, I have focused for the majority of my blogs on the progresses the LGBT community has been facing around the world. There are plenty of states and countries that are still causing strain on the LGBT community. Egypt is in interesting example of the hardship LGBT community members have to face. Egypt does not explicitly write out in their laws that homosexuality or participating in homosexual acts is illegal. Rather they passed a law that prevents those that are visiting to do something against public morality. As well, Egypt makes it illegal for anyone to participate in acts that resemble debauchery. With this Egypt has made life in Egypt for members of the LGBT community really difficult, as it seems that these laws only truly apply to homosexuality. This is an example of a country that is far behind on progress for the LGBT community. Due to the hidden meanings behind their laws they are making it really difficult for all members of their society to really understand their views on homosexuality. Because the judge who ruled in favor of the deportation due to the “prevention of social ills,” I would have to say that the lack of knowledge Egypt’s population has on homosexuality based off the judge’s statement and the laws itself, shows how much they truly are not willing to learn.

Karen Bent

April 17th 2015

2:12 PM

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/15/egypt-court-backs-deportation-of-gay-libyan-man

http://www.inquisitr.com/2017475/egypt-bans-homosexual-foreigners-from-entering-country-deports-for-homosexual-practices/

Blog #8: Russian LGBT Activists Describe Victimization, Repression … and Hope

Summary:

This article revolves around the LGBT activist in both London but mainly in Russia. Ever since there was a banned in Russia on gay “propaganda” in 2013 there has been a rise of homophobia in Russia to the extent that research has found that 68% of the population agrees with the legislation of banning gay “propaganda” and also 74% of Russians believe that homosexuality should not be accepted. This is a 14% increase from before the banned of gay “propaganda.”  With these statistic, brought by the Pew Research team, this is a lingering question of is there hope for the LGBT community in Russia?  To help gain acceptance of the LGBT community, activist in Russia seek knowledge in Russia to be able to get their voices heard in Russia. Hoping for a better life in Russia, London LGBT activist give them tips on what to say, how to look, stand, and sound as they prepare for the interviews that are sure to come as they fight for human equality amongst the LGBT community.

Analysis:

I have never thought about how countries could move backwards. It is this assumption that once the majority of people in a country have accepted a people and we are on our way to bringing equality that the next challenge is the minority of people who do not accept it, not the government. Homosexuality is not illegal in Russia. Though this may be true it seems like they are moving in a direction that is stripping them of all of their rights. To not be able to wear what they want or to be seen as a threat is not the way anyone would want to live. This is what they are facing in Russia right now. Luckily there are activist trying to help but with some many people failing to see hope, it seems like the LGBT community will have to wait quite some time before they will be seen as equals.

Karen Bent

April 10, 2015

12:23 PM

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/apr/06/russian-lgbt-activists-describe-victimisation-repression-and-hope

Blog #7 Tokyo’s Shibuya ward votes to recognize same sex marriage

Summary:

 

In Japan, as well as many places in the world, those who had a sex change are not recognized as the sex they truly defined themselves as. With countries not recognizing transsexuals as the sex they believe them to be, they face the same laws as homosexuals including marriage. With a locale in Tokyo, Japan known as Shibuya giving same sex partnerships equivalent rights as heterosexual who are married allowed Fumino Sugiyama, who is legally recognized as a female, to be able to marry his girlfriend of four years. Though the same sex marriage ordinance is only recognized in Shibuya it is not legally binding and will be effective in July. With many Japanese members in the LBGTQ community hiding from fear of the community, this ordinance allows members in the LBGTQ community to finally be able to feel accepted.  

Analysis: 

To hear about a country such as the United States or Europe or Canada to legalize same sex marriage in a section of its country is something we all tend to expect. We are moving in a direction that shows humans are equal. To have a place in Tokyo, Japan to be the first locale in Japan to recognize same sex partnership as the “equivalent of a marriage” is a positive change in their laws, as well as progress for the whole world to learn to be accepting of same sex partnerships. The more we are exposed to same sex relationships the easier it will be for us to realize that homosexuals deserve the same benefits as heterosexuals. 

Karen Bent

April 3, 2015

9:22PM

http://globalnews.ca/news/1913137/tokyos-ward-votes-to-recognize-same-sex-marriage/