Blog #10

In Amsterdam on November fifth, the Dutch foreign minister on Tuesday denounced Russia's law banning same-sex propaganda of minors, he then went on to say that, "the violation of gay rights could be grounds for asylum in the Netherlands. The Diplomatic relations between Russia and Amsterdam are under a lot of pressure. This pressure has lead to a "sharply worded" letter from Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans to parliament. This could make the situation even worse. In the article Timmermans is quoted saying, " The anti-homosexuality propaganda law has a stigmatizing and discriminatory affect and contributes to a climate of homophobia." He also went on to say that people who are found to be treating those of the LGBT community inhumanely, could be grounds for asylum. This is an ongoing battle between the two countries and shows no sign of ending anytime soon. In fact Russia has been beaten down on due to their beliefs of homosexuality and laws before it host the 2014 Sochi, Winter Olympics.

This article is the first that comes bearing good news over the course of my blogging experience. Readers who come across this article might think it silly that two countries are arguing over this. For one might believe that no country has the right to tell another what to do. On the other hand another reader might believe that another should interfere when it comes to humanity and human rights. Readers might also look over this article and feel as if Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans is doing the right thing, and should stand his ground. For the entire LGBT community needs all of the support they can get. While the other reader may feel as if Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans is putting his nose in places that it does not belong. The reader who is for the LGBT community might view this a big step in helping those in Russia. If one country is willing to stand up for them, then other countries should be able to do the same. However, this should not lead to the two countries fighting and seizing hostages as seen in the article. The reader on both sides of the spectrum might find this to be extreme. When fighting for one's rights one should not take away another person's rights. Then there is that one reader who believes both parties are wrong, and there should be peace and acceptance of all.


Maria Shropshire
SOC-202
4:42 PM 11/15/13



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/05/russia-gay-violations-asylum-_n_4218140.html

Blog# 9

In the month of October, fifty-two African ministers signed a declaration stating that their national laws take precedence over international human rights norms. This declaration was in regards to human sexuality and public health. However, some gay rights activists have taken this as a rejection to nondiscrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. This declaration stemmed from the African Conference on Population and Development held in Addis Abba. This conference was meant to fulfill health and development goals. The international community understands that in order to achieve these goals there has to be an implementation of human rights. According to the article, author Damian Ugwu states that, "international human rights law does not accept national legislation as a legitimate justification for the limitation of rights." The human rights law requires that all discrimination to end immediately, no matter the national laws. However, with this awesome news comes the downfall, at the African Conference on Human Rights, thematic ways were adopted to condemn violence and discrimination against the LGBT community. This was said and happened in both 2009 and 2013.


As a reader begins to read this article they might feel as if Africa is giving up on their beliefs and stance on LGBT rights. However, as the reader continues they see that the gay communities rights are excluded from this declaration. The reader also sees that not only are the excluded, but reasons are found as to why violence and discrimination are accepted. The reader might also think that in order to truly accomplish what the ministers and African conferences want, they will have to accept the gay community. The overall health and development of a country is also dependent upon the gay population. However, the reader might also read this and think that the gay population of Africa or anywhere around the world makes that big of an impact on their country. This reader might also agree with the fact that no one else should be discriminated against except for the gay population. Religious readers might view this as something God would approve, for he does not condemn homosexuality. However, there are those readers who are religious and believe the opposite, that God loves all, and love is an equal opportunity for all, no matter your gender or race. There are mixed beliefs and emotions on this topic as always, however, it feels as if the negative reader always wins when it comes to LGBT rights and acceptance. No matter what the readers stance, I believe all find it unjust to enforce violence, unless they are willing to go to the extremes.


Maria Shropshire
SOC-202-03
9:12 AM 11/8/13


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/damian-ugwu/african-conference-out-of_b_4221274.html

Blog # 8

In New York City, a gay rights group protested the 2014 Sochi Olympics. As Olympic gold medalists stood on a stage in New York City's, Times Square, chants started to be heard from only fifty feet away.   According to the article written by Rachel Cohen activists were chanting, "Homophobia has to go," and went on further to state, "Don't Buy Putin's Lies." A ski slope was set up by the U.S. Olympic committee to bring attention and excitement to the Winter Olympics, which is only one hundred days away. This event not only attracted Olympic enthusiast but the gay rights group, Queer Nation New York. The Queer Nation of New York spent the time protesting the Sochi Olympics. Russia should repeal their law and see their harshness of in acting such a law. Olympic athletes stood and did not respond to the chants, one even said that part of him wants to not tolerate it, but that the other part of him understands their beliefs. Hopefully in the future the Olympics continues to bring the nations together and not divide us. On the other hand there are olympians who are against the laws passed in Russia, yet they remain voiceless as well.


As a reader one could be proud of the Queer Nation of New York for standing up for their beliefs.  One should stand up for what they believe in and not stand there in silence in fear of what others believe. Olympians especially should speak up, especially if they are against Russia's stance and laws on gay marriage. If an Olympian stands there in silence, one might believe that they fear they will not be allowed to compete in this winter season Olympic games. Therefore the reader might come to the conclusion that the Olympians are more concerned with their appearance and not with what they truly believe in and know is right. On the other hand the reader might be agitated that the Queer Nation of New York took such a stance at an Olympics event. This ski slope was set up to get people excited and ready for the upcoming games in Sochi, Russia. The reader might think that this was not the time or place to protest such an event, especially if families were participating. Readers whether they are for or against gay marriage should both appreciate the use of nonviolent protesting. Even if the protesting was nonviolent the readers against gay marriage might still be agitated with the activist group and think that they are going overboard, after all Russia is not America. Then you have those for gay rights who believe that no matter where we are in the world, gay rights matter and should not be an issue we have to fight for. Either way as long as nonviolent protesting goes on the reader might not see the problem with protesting here in the United States against Russia, and its leader Vladimir Putin.



Maria Shropshire
SOC-202-03
11/1/13 12:13 PM

http://keepingscore.blogs.time.com/2013/10/29/gay-rights-group-protests-sochi-olympics-russian-law-at-usoc-event-in-new-york-city/

Blog 7

There are seven companies that do not support gay rights. These seven companies are Chick-fil-A, Urban Outfitters, Exxon, The Salvation Army, Purina, Boy Scouts of America, and Cracker Barrel. Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A's CEO came out publicly about his disagreements with LGBT rights. However, Dan Cathy is still a supporter if the family, if you are speaking of the family in a traditional way. Urban outfitters is not only against LGBT rights, but also only has two women on their board of directors. In 2008, the president and founder of Urban Outfitters, Richard Hayne, donated 13,150 to Rick Santorum's campaign. Everyone knows about Mr. Santorum. Exxon a gas station extended equal opportunities to same-sex couples. They did this not because they believed it to be right, but because they had too. The Salvation Army has publicly announced through radio that they believe that gay parents deserve to be put to death. According to the article, Purina the dog treat/food company does not, "Currently, the company doesn't provide a policy that protects gender identity or expression, nor does it offer health care coverage for partners of their gay employees." These same employees get a discount on products. The Boy Scouts of America have publicly announced their stance on LGBT rights, and they are against them. However, The Girl Scouts are pro-LGBT rights.

As the reader looks over this article he probably has issues with these companies. On the other hand another reader could support these companies and their stance against the LGBT community and their rights. I had my mother read this article and she stated that, "it is almost laughable that same-sex couples are denied benefits at Purina but they get a discount on their companies products." I also had my best friend read this article just to see what she would feel, and as a reader she stated that, " A place like The Salvation Army being so hateful in their choice of beliefs and words is so shocking!" I was able to gather what outside readers would gather from this article. Although I do not have opinions from those who would agree with this article, one might think that these companies are entitled to their beliefs. The reader might also believe that these companies should not even hire LGBT people, especially since they do not reap the benefits anyway.


Maria Shropshire
1:02 PM 10/26/13


 7 Companies The Don't Support Gay Rights

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/16/anti-gay-companies_n_4110344.html

Blog 6

There are homophobic views everywhere around our world. The anti-LGBT community has received much attention including violence due to Russia and the approaching Winter Olympics in Sochi. While we focus our attention solely on Russia for the past couple of months, we fail to see that these issues are everywhere, including here at home in the United States. There are more than seventy countries where being LGBT is illegal and five countries the death penalty exist for those of this community. Only a few months ago, LGBT activist Eric Ohena Lembembe was tortured and murdered in Cameroon. The peaceful meetings of LGBT communities in Uganda have been disrupted on numerous occasions. Here we take a look back at Russia when the article states that, "Attempts at pride parades in Ukraine have been met with violence." While there is also violence and those against the LGBT community, there are those who take a stand for this community and what they believe in. Around the world LGBT activist are voicing their right to peacefully assemble.

When reading this article the reader can see that violence is not only being used in Russia against the LGBT community. The reader can also see that violence happens around the world, and that there are numbers of countries who have striped the rights of the LGBT community. Russia is not the only country to blame or the only country that partakes in violent ways of "handling" the LGBT community. I believe as a reader no matter what your views on the LGBT community, one can see the harm and inhumane practices of countries around the world. The reader no matter what their beliefs would want this to end because violence is not the answer. According to our lecture violence is anything that can cause harm to someone. More importantly violence is not the answer and can be damaging to ones life. Those who believe that violence is wrong and a disgusting act would be against this act of cruelty, no matter their beliefs. However, there are those who are willing to back this countries based off of their religious beliefs, or personal feelings.


Maria Shropshire
SOC-202-03
9:10 AM 10/18/2013

Beyond Russia: LGBT Rights Are Human Rights Around the World
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/randal-mason/beyond-russia-lgbt-rights_b_4108901.html

Blog 5

Russian lawmakers will meet in February to discuss a bill that could take children away from their homosexual parents. This debate will likely take place with the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. These winter games have already been boycotted. This bill was published on Russia's Duma lower house of parliament, this states that a state can strip parents of custody of their children. The bill also states that this will happen if anyone if found practicing non-traditional sexual relations. These "non-traditional" sexual relations are termed homosexual relations to the Russian government. The Russian gay community has feared this horrendous possibility since President Vladimir Putin signed the gay propaganda law in June. Singers such as Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Stephen Fry have all heavily criticised the law. When explaining the parenting bill, lawmakers said it was in line with the "gay propaganda" law. This note also stated that, "Harm to the child's psyche is great if one of the parents practices sexual contact with the same sex."

Readers could take this article differently according to their own personal views and beliefs. One who is against gay-marriage could believe that the LGBT community should not be allowed to have kids. On the other hand another person against gay-marriage could believe that a child needs a home and as long as the parent loves and provides for them it is ok. One who is for gay-marriage could be disgusted by this law and question why it was even brought up. Why would one need to feel to take away a child from their parents, no matter their sexual orientation. If a child is in need and someone of the LGBT community is willing to raise and love the child, and has the means necessary to provide a healthy lifestyle, then the sex of the parents should not be considered. One could also say that a child is in risk of being raised in a unsafe environment by being raised by homosexual parents. They believwe that the children will not be fully provided for in a way that a heterosexual couple could. There are many different opinions that readers could have after reading an article such as this one. I believe that many no matter their opinion would think that Russia is taking their hate against the LGBT community too far.



Maria Shropshire
SOC-202-03
10/11/13 10:52


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/09/russia-gay-parents-debate-_n_4072968.html

Blog 4

In the article LGBT Rights in Africa: A Step Forward, it tells the reader that the African culture is filled with hostility. This hostility is towards the LGBT community, this culture makes its way into the social, political, and judicial realities of various countries in Africa. The African politicians use hate to sway people into voting them in. They also use religion as an excuse to do so. Some politicians even go as far as to legislate a law that could potentially put LGBT people to death. When the president of Ghana visited Kennesaw State University he stated that laws, especially on LGBT rights were controversial. President Mahama also said that it was a difficult situation, ending with the statement that, "People have a certain cultural hostility towards it, but I believe that laws must prevail." The LGBT community is ostracized and the reason for this is simply that to many Africans they are "un-African." The president of Ghana did not openly say that he supported the LGBT community, but he did in a way state that what was happening to them was unlawful. This statement should not be take lightly and could possibly have started something in condemning what is happening to those of the LGBT community. 

After reading this article the reader I believe would feel as if something had been accomplished. Even though the horrible acts being imposed on the LGBT community are not being resolved, you can see that the president thinks what is happening is wrong. Although he did not state his support for the LGBT community, one can infer that he condemns the actions being taken towards them. If the reader was against gay rights and read this article they might think that this is horrific and that such extreme actions should not be taken. Even though they do not support LGBT rights, they do not believe that such atrocities are the answer. However, someone else who is highly religious might think that this is the path that must be taken. If the reader supports the LGBT community and the fight for their rights, he/she might see that this is a path to something better, no matter how small of an impact it might have had. The reader might simply just take peace in hearing that someone of an authoritative position thinks that the punishments are too server and unlawful. This article might give someone hope that one day these laws will change and that the LGBT community will not live in fear of their lives. Even if their rights are not given, at least they will feel safe being who they are. To someone who is against this they might feel as if the punishment is too extreme, and that the LGBT community should just simply have their rights remain to be taken away.

Maria Shropshire

SOC-202-03

10/4/13 9:39 AM

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/udoka-okafor/lgbt-rights-in-africa-a-s_b_4033638.html

Blog 3

Pope Francis recently announced that, "Catholics should stop judging gay people and focusing incessantly on sexuality" (The Significance of the Pope's Interview). This announcement made my Pope Francis is said to be a new hope for the LGBT community. In the article it states that, "the real significance of the pope's interview is that it stands to return to the nation a moral vocabulary that the religious right has stolen and twisted for over a generation, depriving us of the capacity to think and act clearly about a range of moral issues."  This statement is simply saying that over the generations people of the religious right have been using their religion to dictate politics. These politics have focused on gay/lesbian rights for a long time now. Although Pope Francis made this announcement it does not mean that the Catholic church will simply begin to accept and abandon their beliefs of gay-marriage and equality. Pope Francis also makes a great point when saying that when we talk of sexuality we have to talk about it in context. Pope France's words were significant when he stated that, "Otherwise even the moral edifice of the church is likely to fall like a house of cards," when speaking of finding a new balance. 


When reading this article one could interpret it in different ways. Depending on one's religious views and beliefs this announcement by Pope Francis could either be enlightening or disheartening. In class the class readings one can find where most of the resistance to the change of the definition of traditional marriage is due to the religious institutions. Having read this it would be simple to conclude that one would be ashamed of Pope Francis's announcement, and feel as if he has gone against his faith. Another feeling one might take towards this article is anger, anger that someone held so high in prestige could have such thoughts and feelings towards this issue. In class we also read that, "Sexual orientation involves a person's feelings and sense of identity."When reading this article one might take a stance and say Pope Francis did the right thing, for religion has nothing to do with being gay/lesbian. One might also take a stance saying that one's religion should not give them the right to take away the rights of a certain group of people. One might say that your sense of identity is not something that can be turned off or on. Who you love cannot simply be changed overnight, however, one can disaffiliate from their church over the night. There are many different reactions one could have from reading this article, whether they are Catholic or not. 



Maria Shropshire
SOC-202-03
9/27/13 9:12 am


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nathaniel-frank/the-significance-of-the-p_b_3976667.html

Blog 2

Selena Gomez former girlfriend of Justin Bieber was turned away by Russian government officials due to her stance on anti-gay laws. The Russian government officials denied her visa, which is believed to be linked to stricter transit laws for foreign artists based on their views. According to John Becker, a petition author of the LGBT blogger at Bilercio stated that, "They're afraid to have someone like Selena Gomez come in and potentially use her platform to advance LGBT rights." On a German cite titled Spiegel concert organizer Jewgeni Finkelschtejn stated that, "the new rules would harm the country tremendously." Russia has been in the spotlight with their anti-gay laws lately, especially with its proposed bill that could potentially remove children from their homes, simply because their parents are lesbian or gay. Earlier in August Russian officials announced that celebrities such as Madonna and Lady Gaga had violated their visas while on tour in the country last year. Russian officials even went as far as to say that they breached the country's "gay propaganda law." Recently Cher denied Russia after being asked to perform at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics this coming February. Elton John being a member of the gay community himself, said that it would not stop him from visiting the country, that he cannot leave the people alone without helping them. Elton John did not mention whether or not he had a visa at this time.


When reading this article one might take a stance either for gay rights or against them. When taking the stance for gay rights one might say that homosexuality is not caused by the way a child was reared by his or her parents, or by having sexual experiences with someone of the same sex when they were young. They might also say that being gay has nothing to do with mental illness or them being abnormal. Taking this sociological stance one might then further state that the laws against homosexuality are insane, not valid, and that artist should be able to support whomever they please. When someone is advocating against gay rights they might say that, yes, we should turn away celebrities that could impose propaganda on our citizens. That they could influence the people of Russia, and even make them think that being gay is ok. One might say that turning away people who support gay rights is doing the right thing when it comes to protecting Russian citizens.

Maria Shropshire
Soc-202-03
9/20/2013 9:36 am


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/19/selena-gomez-russia-concerts-canceled-_n_3955167.html

Blog 1: Anti-Gay Laws in Russia and Olympics

This past week in the New York Times, Ben Rothenberg wrote an article titled, Russian Players Stay Out Of Debate Over New Law. Marat Safin a member of the Russian Parliament, and also a former United States Open winner was one of 436 members to vote yes to the Federal Law No. 44554-6. This law was put into place to protect children from information that could possibly promote the rejection of traditional family values. This law was signed by Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, and banned any public support of gay rights. Other Russian athletes are simply avoiding the law claiming to either not have known about, or say that it is not their place to voice their opinions on the topic. Ekaterina Makarova stated that people, "should respect Russian rules." Even though she stated this, she did not endorse the law either. Many other athletes have taken this approach as well by not speaking out against this law, or even for it. Many have agreed on the assumption that this is Russian law and it should be respected when you enter the country. There are many gay athletes out there, and they should feel comfortable living their lives and doing their jobs.

When reading this article one could have different opinions when it comes to this law. On one end of the spectrum one could feel outraged and disgusted with Russia and its people's views. One might even go as far as to saying the United States should protest their involvement with the Winter Olympics. One might also feel as if the Russian President is taking an almost "Hitler" approach to the gay community. On the other end one might feel as if Russia is doing the right thing for its country and people, that this law is protecting their well being. One might also feels as if this law does protect their children's sexuality and that being gay is "a catch able disease." Either way people are always going to ignore important matters such as this. One will see many people, like the athletes discussed in the article that turn their cheeks and say it is not their business. People will turn their cheeks if they support this law or not, one might feel as if this protects their identity.


Maria Shropshire
9/12/13 2:19 pm


http://straightsets.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/09/07/russian-players-stay-out-of-debate-over-new-law/?_r=0