The leaders of the LGBT community have been campaigning all over the world for equal rights for its members, especially in countries in the Middle East. Not much progress has been achieved in that part of the world though as olden beliefs get in the way of change.
There are 5 countries that recently made progress in dealing positively with their LGBT citizens from 2017 to 2018.
India
On September 6, 2018, in a historic moment for the LGBT community in India, the country’s Supreme Court ruled out in favor of the LGBT community. The Chief Justice of India, Dipak Misra, stated that it is unconstitutional to consider LGBT sexual relationships as a criminal offense.
Previously, the laws of India mete out punishments for “carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal”. These included anal and oral sex; and gay sexual relationships.
In this unprecedented ruling, the court came to a consensus that the act of adults engaging in consensual gay sex in private is no longer a crime. According to the court, Section 377 violates the right to privacy and constitutional rights, and it’s also discriminative. Now, as long as the sex act is done in private by two consenting adults, it’s considered lawful.
Interestingly, in ancient India, transgenderism was very much accepted by the society and appears prominently in several ancient literature. It was only under the British colonial rule that this law was made. While the Brits left in 1947, the law remained. In a sense, you could that this was the true independence of the LGBT community in India.
But, India has still a long way to go with regards to implementing this rule and granting equal rights of LGBT individuals. The police and authorities concerned, especially in rural areas, are yet to undergo training and orientation. The rural areas may not even have heard of the court’s ruling yet. Likewise, gay marriages are still to be specifically approved of – legally.
India has taken that perilous step forward with regards to its treatment of LGBT persons. Gradually, the country would move forward to granting equal rights to LGBT members in all aspects of society. More and more countries are accepting LGBT individuals in their communities, and people who have wanted sex changes are no longer scorned at.
Thailand
In Thailand, sex change is popular, acceptable, and is big business. The LGBT community has taken active participation in the country’s economy. One significant members of the gay community in the country are the Kathoeys or Ladyboys. The Ladyboys are individuals, who had retained their male organ and gonads but have transformed themselves into appearing as feminine as possible.
Bangkok, Thailand is also second to Tel Aviv, as the friendliest city for gays. Nonetheless, gay marriage is still frowned upon by the locals. This 2018, the bill of civil partnership between gay persons is being discussed in parliament. Its approval would further grant additional rights to LGBT persons.
Reportedly, a bill about the Same Sex Life Partnership will be introduced to Thailand’s Cabinet in September 2018.
Australia
In Australia, parliament has passed a bill allowing gay marriages on December 7, 2017. Beforehand, Australians have approved of same-sex marriages with 62% in favor of gay marriages. The application process had started December 9, 2018 and by January 2018, gay marriages have already been practiced.
Marriage equality is finally being reinforced in Australia, and the Prime Minister said that it’s fair, and to get on with it. The government must have felt the sentiments of its citizenry.
Most probably in the future, Australia will protect the rights of couples to adopt a child through a medical process or through legal adoption. This is good news that gay couples can look forward to.
Malta
Same-sex marriage was legalized in Malta in June 2017. Dozens of people in Malta are Catholics but the parliament has approved of this law. This means that people have now a broader perspective of gay relationships. It’s considered as one of the gay-friendly countries.
In addition, gay couples have the right to adopt children since year 2014. However, surrogacy for gay male partners is totally banned.
Germany
The parliament of Germany had also made gay marriages legal on June 30, 2017. The issue was decided based on a winning vote of 393 against 226 votes in the country’s parliament. Reportedly, the right of gay couples to adopt children is not legally supported but it’s not banned as well. The couple would have to decide for themselves and act accordingly.
Yearly the number of German citizens supporting LGBT relationships is increasing. In a 2017 poll, it was discovered that 83% of Germans approved of same-sex marriages. This is a significant number that would soon be noticed by lawmakers. This may pave the way for more legal rights granted to the LGBT community.
These legal rights could include the right to adopt children, and the right to raise them as a normal family. Nowadays, normal families don’t necessarily have a mother, a father and children. Society’s perception of the family has changed into a broader and tolerant description: it could be two fathers and children, or two mothers and children. What’s most important is that love, happiness, peace and a sense of belonging can be found in the family.
There would be lesser teen problems as children would prefer to go home and be with their families than do drugs and alcohol – or worst – think of suicide.
A new hope!
These developments in these major countries indicate the ever-changing perception of the legality of gay marriages and the rights of LGBT communities. This increasing social awareness of society to the existence of LGBTs will be a key factor for young people who are gay to accept themselves. This would reduce the number of suicides, bullying and discrimination based on one’s sexual orientation.
More countries would surely follow suit as it would be tough to be an outsider in the circle of European countries with regards to LGBT communities.
If you’re living in a country that turns you into a criminal because you’re being honest of what you truly are; perhaps, it’s time to find a better place where you can be legally accepted. This should be a place where your rights as a person are not trampled on, and where you can find your ideal partner in life and be able to marry him.
Everyone deserves to be happy!