Homophobia following path of racism and misogyny
Dr Leonardo Razonovich
(CNS) In the last of its current series of public lectures on gender and LGBT equality, the Truman Bodden Law School will be returning to the controversial subject of homophobia tonight. From burning at the stake to being welcomed in the church, Dr Leonardo J Raznovich believes discrimination against LGBTs is followed the steps of misogyny and racism in the west.
A lively and engaging first lecture in the Student Society’s series by Professor Robert Wintemute tackled the issue of legal rights and the dangers ahead for Cayman unless it addresses discrimination. On Thursday Razonovich will explain the methodology used to control three sectors of the population, and in some cases to annihilate them totally or partially, throughout the last millennium: women, people of African origin and gay men.
The second lecture last week given by the governor on gender equality steered away from the controversial issues raised by Wintemute but Raznovich will be stirring things up when he discusses tools that were used to control and in some cases to suppress blacks, women and gays, which he says are the result of defined policies enacted into laws that were made and enforced by white Christian, outwardly heterosexual men.
“The apparent shift of the Roman Catholic Church towards homosexuality has caused waves across the world of tectonic proportions,” Raznovich said on the eve of his presentation.
“The ‘Law and Equality’ lectures have sought to provide the audience with basic elements to understand such a change in order to be able to hold a more informed debate about homophobia; an overview of the laws of the Cayman Islands that promote gender and LGBT equality; and an overview of the European Convention on Human Rights and gay rights: Where we are now in the UK and the Cayman Islands.”
He said historical policies have resulted in the criminalization, pathologisation and segregation of the targeted members of the gay community as well as women and people of colour.
During the lecture he plans to explain the hypothesis that today’s homophobia is simply yesterday’s misogyny and racism.
“The lecture will focus on misogyny and racism: from the witch-hunt of pre-Renaissance to the current fight for gender equality and from the slave trade to today’s policies of positive discrimination that attempt to redress past wrongs,” he said.
The lecture will also focus on gay men but reference to lesbian women will be made as well in an attempt to explain the difference in their treatment
The free event, hosted by the Truman Bodden Law school students, will be held at the George Town courthouse in Courtroom One and begins at 6pm.
Category: Education, Local News
A statement from Alden McLaughlin??!! Don’t hold your breath. He has just spoken-up about rising crime this week – after a year-and-a-half in office as Premier!
The government has been tasked with changing the law in Cayman to redefine marriage. The redefinition seeks to say that a marriage is a union between two consenting adults rather than between a man and a woman. This will be specific to 2015 to coincide with the 2016 opening of the new gay-friendly hotel. Perhaps a statement needs to be obtained from Alden McLaughlin?
I believe it’s safe to say that no politician in Cayman would dare utter anti-gay sentiments publicly!
But there are many individuals throughout the world who are so weak and fearful that they align their identities with racial and religious politics led by those who gain power through dividing our families and communities. Such dividers, be they preachers or politicians, are evil.
But using the term “evil” also identifies you! I would replace evil with ignorance, that would be about right.
Opinions about Caymanians’ general attitude toward homosexuality have been largely exaggerated. Yes, some church groups have protested gay cruise ships but Cayman is very, very far away from attitudes of neighbouring Caribbean islands and other countries where gays are attacked and discriminated against for their sexual orientation. Truthfully, and in general, Caymanians are not hateful towards homosexuals. What is popular is the sentiment “I don’t care if you’re gay, just don’t bring it around me”, as in “don’t make advances to me”. That sentiment cannot be considered unreasonable. It would be good if that reality were displayed in media content as opposed to inferences that there exists broad and fierce anti-homosexual feelings throughout the community.
Nonetheless, the Law School’s lectures on this subject are encouraged and supported, as there should be no prejudice in any society. So any forum to continue to broaden people’s minds is welcome – especially as international human rights standards take hold in Cayman.
It is very encouraging to see a series of this nature being presented in Cayman. Far too long the Caymanian society has allowed hatred and violence to be a part of life in Cayman, when it comes to their attitudes toward the gay population. Cayman is a very educated island, but is very backward when it comes to the understanding and acceptance of gay people.