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Homosexuality - Britain, China
& the Western Isles
Recent figures released by the British government have shown that one
in 16 Britons is homosexual, bringing the country's total gay or
lesbian population to 3.6 million. However a spokesman for the
Department of Trade and Industry said that the figure was based on a
number of studies by different interest groups, as "fundamentally there is very little
reliable information about the size of the lesbian, gay and bisexual
groups."
The government has estimated that by the year 2050 around 3.3 percent
of homosexuals aged 16 and over will be in registered civil
partnerships, compared with a third of the heterosexual population who
will be married.
A new law allowing gays and lesbians to build partnerships is to take
effect in Britain this week (December 21st) . The law gives homosexual
couples the same
property and inheritance rights as married heterosexual couples and
entitles them to the same pension, immigration and tax benefits.
In other parts of the world there is not much enthusiasm for such
liberalisation. Despite a long history of
homosexuality in the nation Chinese police have halted the country's
first gay festival and councillors in Scotland's Western Isles have
decided to outlaw the new geidh
marriage ceremonies.
Below
is taken fron the Sunday Times 18-12-05
Liu Chunxiao and his partner were calm when police shut down the
opening of China’s first gay and lesbian culture festival yesterday. Mr
Liu may be 19 but he is more than familiar with sexual discrimination.
Organisers had planned to hold their festival of films, plays,
exhibitions and seminars on homosexuality at one of the trendiest
artistic communities in China. The venue was to be the studios and
warehouses at the 798 complex of converted factory buildings in
northeastern Beijing. Most of the capital’s hippest and most happening
events take place among the grey concrete blocks, fashionable French
bistro-style bars and industrial pipes of 798.
Police notified studio owners that the event would not be allowed to
proceed. Li Yinhe, a distinguished sociologist from the prestigious
Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, had been invited to address the
opening, but had to stay away.
The group of about 30 participants bold enough to reveal their
sexuality in China’s conservative society were undeterred by the
cancellation. They decided to move their ground-breaking event to
On/Off, a Beijing gay bar.
Police swarmed around the bar even before the group arrived. “This bar
is temporarily closed for review,” police told would-be festival
participants.
A few gays and lesbians retreated to a nearby hotpot restaurant. One
man who gave his name as Mr Sun said: “There is no reason for the
police to stop us. We are doing nothing to disturb social stability.”
The members of China’s gay community had little doubt as to why On/Off
had been closed. Mr Cui, a film student, said: “The attitude in China
is still very conservative. They say it’s illegal, but what’s illegal
about wanting to understand more about these issues?”
The police were clear. “They didn’t have permission to hold this
event,” said an official.
Homosexuality has not been listed as a crime on China’s statute books
since the 1949 communist takeover. However, homosexuals were routinely
arrested under a “hooliganism” clause in the law until a reform in 1997
removed this provision. Then, in April 2001, the biggest single advance
in gay rights came with the declassification of homosexuality as a
mental disorder by the Chinese Psychiatric Association, meaning that
rather than being officially treated as a “perversion” requiring
psychiatric care, it was re-categorised as something similar to an
“identity crisis”.
Homosexuality is frowned upon in communist China’s puritan society but
was far from unknown in imperial eras. One common name for homosexuals
in traditional China was “broken sleeve”, referring to an incident in
which an emperor in ancient times sliced off his sleeve on which his
adored male concubine was sleeping so as not to wake him.
But today there is much less understanding. Mr Sun’s father said he had
accompanied his homosexual son to the event to try to understand him.
He said he had set up a hotline in the northeastern city of Dalian to
help “parents of comrades”.
The word comrade — more usually associated with communist Party members
— has become in some circles a term for homosexuals in China.
He said: “The family of a homosexual comes under social pressure and
just the curiosity of your neighbour is enough to drive you crazy.”
Liu Chunxiao had travelled from Inner Mongolia and his partner from the
northeastern coastal town of Qinhuangdao to attend the festival. The
young men smiled shyly, explaining that they kept in touch every day by
internet. But Mr Liu, a student, said he was very discreet. “I make
sure other people don’t know because the atmosphere isn’t very open.”
Meanwhile nearer to home Scotland on Sunday reports:
Western
Isles takes moral stand against 'geidh' couple ceremonies
The Gaelic language has at least half a dozen words to describe
homosexuals, varying from merely impolite to obscene. Such is the lack
of a non-judgmental term for gay people that the BBC's Gaelic radio
service was recently forced to invent a word: 'Geidh'.
It is hardly surprising then that councillors in this deeply
traditional society, where the hold of strict Presbyterianism remains
stronger than anywhere else on the British Isles, have voted to become
the only part of the country to outlaw so-called gay "wedding
ceremonies", which are to be held across Britain starting on Tuesday.
For many islanders, the move is simply an affirmation of their
determination to hold back the onset of 21st century secularism, and to
preserve their belief that marriage should only involve a man and a
woman.
But the move has triggered a backlash from gay campaigners, who are
threatening a human rights appeal against the council to ensure gay
couples on the isles can have the same rights as those elsewhere.
More than 150 gay couples across Scotland are preparing to take part in
the ceremonies from Tuesday morning, when the law comes into force. In
England and Wales 700 couples are expected to follow suit when the law
is enacted the following day, including Sir Elton John and his
long-term partner, David Furnish.
It follows the passing of the Civil Partnerships Act at Westminster
last year, which will allow gay couples to obtain the same rights as
heterosexuals in areas such as employment, pensions and inheritance.
All registry offices will be legally obliged to perform basic
registrations, at which gay couples will sign an official civil
partnership document in front of two witnesses. Councils are also
offering to conduct ceremonies, similar to normal civil weddings, so
the occasion can be marked.
However, at a meeting of the Western Isles Council's Policy and Finance
Committee last Thursday, councillors decided to outlaw such ceremonies.
It followed complaints by the council's registrars, who said they would
be unwilling to carry them out. Consequently, any gay couples on the
island will have to make do with legal registration.
The ruling is thought to be unique across the British Isles. While two
Scottish councils - Highlands and East Renfrewshire - had voiced doubts
about conducting the ceremonies, they have agreed to offer them to
couples, following pressure from the Scottish Executive and gay rights
campaigners.
But the Western Isles council is showing no willingness to compromise
on the issue.
"It is a practical decision: our officers don't want to do them so we
didn't even go into the debate [over morality]," said Angus Campbell,
the chairman of the policy committee.
The move will place fresh scrutiny on the isles, home to 24,000 people,
where the influence of the Free Church of Scotland on the northerly
isle of Lewis, and the strength of the Catholic Church on the southerly
isles of South Uist and Barra, is powerful.
Supporters of the move insist the registrars are simply exercising
their rights.
The Rev Tim McGlynn, of the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing) in
Scalpay, said: "To try and force them [the registrars] to do something
they think is immoral would be unjust. But that is what is being
advanced by people who are what I call bigoted secularists."
He added: "The position on the isles is that the people in positions in
power are far more likely to personally have a faith which is guiding
the things that they do."
However, gay people living on the islands claim that the heavy-handed
Christian influence has left them living in a climate of fear.
One gay man, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "I can't give my name
because the islands are the kind of place where you just can't and it
would cause a huge fuss. You would be regarded as bringing shame on
your village and your island." He added: "I am very unhappy about what
they have decided, but in a way
I'm not surprised, we are years behind the rest of the country.
"This is discrimination. How come these ceremonies will be OK in
Glasgow and not in Barra? It is absolutely wrong. I can imagine someone
just having a ceremony on one of the beaches and defying anyone to stop
us."
Calum Irving, director of the gay charity Stonewall Scotland, said the
Western Isles council's move could trigger an appeal under European
human rights law.
He said: "I received an assurance from the Scottish Executive that any
couple wishing to have a registration and ceremony in Scotland would
receive one, so it is very concerning that the Western Isles have taken
this stance. "I would hope that if a gay couple did come forward
seeking a ceremony
then the council would have the good sense not to spoil that happy
couple's big day."
John Hein, editor of ScotsGay magazine - who says he has several
subscribers to his magazine in the Western Isles - added: "How
extremely miserable and mean-spirited of them. It is exactly what you
would expect. What a dreadful place to live."
However, the ban remains superfluous for now - as no gay couples on the
Western Isles have registered their intention to get 'married'.
Elsewhere in Scotland, dozens of ceremonies are planned for Tuesday and
the rest of the week. The first to sign a civil partnership are
expected to be John Maguire and Laurence Scott-Mackay, a Scots couple
based in Washington DC who are returning for their ceremony on Tuesday
morning.
Neil Fletcher and John Stewart, two Liberal Democrat councillors in
Aberdeen, are also preparing for their big day on Tuesday, having
booked Kings College Chapel, Aberdeen University.
History
of Chinese homosexuality
(taken from Shanghai Star)
Formal historical data provided by ancient records dealing with male
homosexuality in China can be dated back to the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th
century - 11th century BC), according to Li Yinhe in her book History
of Chinese Homosexuality.
The term "Luan Feng" was used to describe homosexuality in the "Shang
Dynasty Records". Interestingly, there are no record of lesbianism in
Chinese history.
Historical traces of male homosexuality persist through dynasty to
dynasty from ancient times and never disappear. It was in full swing
during the Spring and Autumn and the Warring Periods, at which time Mi
Zixia, favorite of the Monarch Wei, and Long Yang, favored by Monarch
Wei, were the two best-known figures.
The greatest influences and achievements back then, however, belonged
to the famous poet Qu Yuan. It is said that his love for the monarch
Chu can be felt in most of his works, for instance his "Lisao" and
"Longing for Beauty".
Prevailing among emperors
Li claimed that during the powerful Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD) the
homosexual activities of emperors and ministers were frequently
preserved in the historical records. According to the "Historical
Record" and "Han Dynasty Records", almost all emperors of the Western
Han Dynasty had lovers of their same sex.
There was a much-told story about Emperor Ai, whose name was Liu Xin,
and who reigned from 6 BC to 2 BC. Unwilling to awaken his male lover
Dong Xian, who had fallen asleep on his robes, Liu cut off his sleeves
instead.
After the Han Dynasty, the general attitude was tolerant, so long as
homosexuals fulfilled their filial duties by getting married and
continuing the family line.
Remarkably, a calm and dispassionate attitude to the homosexual
phenomenon was always prevalent in ancient China. There was neither
eulogy, nor criticism. It seemed to do no harm in maintaining
traditional family ethics.
Male prostitution
The years 1573-1620 marked the most flourishing period of the Ming
Dynasty (1368 - 1644). With great developments in industry and trade,
luxurious life-styles also proliferated, according to Li's book.
Prostitution was a common practice at that time, due to the moral
concept which advocated the acceptance of natural sexual needs, an
approach promoted by the neo-Confucian philosopher Wang Yangming.
Male prostitutes (gigolos) were widely available to meet their clients'
specific requirements.
Confucianism was canonized during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), with
emphasis put on strict obedience to the social order. That is to say,
both wife and husband should always remember their correct
relationship, but homosexuals went directly against such rules.
Restrictive decree
Then, in 1740, the first anti-homosexual decree in Chinese history was
promulgated, defining voluntarily homosexual intercourse between adults
as illegal. Though there were no records on the effectiveness of this
decree, it was the first time homosexuality had been subject to legal
proscription in China.
During the cultural revolution (1966 - 76), homosexuals faced their
worst period of persecution in Chinese history. The government
considered homosexuality to be a social disgrace or a form of mental
illness.
The police regularly rounded up gays and lesbians. Since there was no
law against homosexuality, gays and lesbians were charged with
hooliganism or disturbing public order. Since that time homosexuality
has remained in closet.
Acceptance and tolerance
With the replacement of the 1989 edict - which defined homosexuality as
a "psychiatric disorder of sexuality" - by the new "Chinese
Classification and Diagnostic Criteria of Mental Disorders", released
this March by the Chinese Psychiatric Association, China took a step
closer to WHO policies, with homosexuals also benefiting from a general
loosening of social restrictions.
Shanghai is one of the major cities where gays and lesbians are able to
live a more open lifestyle, with some musicians and artists being
openly gay. Bars are popular places for gays to meet, with weekends as
the best time.
Islam also has mis-givings about
homosexuality.
Below is taken from a Canadian website Religoustolerance.org
There are five references in the Qur'an which have been cited as
referring to gay and lesbian behavior. Some obviously deal with
effeminate men and "masculine women." The two main references to
homosexual behavior are:
"We
also sent Lut : He said to his people : "Do ye commit lewdness such as
no people in creation (ever) committed before you? For ye practice your
lusts on men in preference to women: ye are indeed a people
transgressing beyond bounds." Qur'an
7:80-81
"What!
Of all creatures do ye come unto the males, and leave the wives your
Lord created for you? Nay, but ye are forward folk." Qur'an 26:165
Both references relate to gay sexual activities; lesbian practices are
not mentioned in the Qur'an.
Lut is referred to as
"Lot" in the Hebrew Scriptures. This passage is an apparent reference
to the activities at Sodom and Gamorah. It seems to imply that there
was no homosexual behavior before it first appeared in Sodom. This is a
uniquely Islamic concept; it does not appear in Jewish or Christian
beliefs. The passage also links the sin of Sodom (the reason for its
destruction) to homosexuality. That linkage is contradicted by other
verses in the Hebrew Scriptures.
The Hadith and homosexuality:
The Hadith are collections of sayings attributed to Muhammad. Many
Hadiths (ahadith) discuss liwat
(sexual intercourse between males). Two examples are:
"When
a man mounts another man, the throne of God shakes."
"Kill
the one that is doing it and also kill the one that it is being done
to." (in reference to the active and passive partners in gay
sexual intercourse)
There is at least one mention of lesbian behavior mentioned in the
Hadith:
"Sihaq (lesbian sexual activity) of
women is zina (illegitimate
sexual intercourse) among them."
Traditionalist orthodox Muslims generally claim that the Hadith
literature contains the authentic sayings of Muhammad. Many liberal
Muslims doubt the authenticity of at least some of them. The latter
might point out that during the times of the first Caliphs, Muslims did
not know what to do with individuals guilty of "liwat or
lutiyya". No sahabi (companion) of Muhammad could quote a saying
or decision of Muhammad relating to this question.
Treatment of homosexuals within
Islamic countries:
According to a pamphlet produced by Al-Fatiha,
there is a consensus among Islamic scholars that all humans are
naturally heterosexual. Homosexuality is seen by scholars to be a
sinful and perverted deviation from the norm. All Islamic schools of
thought and jurisprudence consider gay acts to be unlawful. They differ
in terms of penalty:
• The Hanafite school (currently seen
mainly in South and Eastern Asia) teaches that no physical punishment
is warranted.
• The Hanabalites, (widely followed in the
Arab world) teach that severe punishment is warranted
• The Sha'fi school of thought (also seen
in the Arab world) requires a minimum of 4 adult male witnesses before
a person can be found guilty of a homosexual act.
Al-Fatiha estimates that 4,000 homosexuals have been executed in Iran
since their revolution in 1979. 10 public executions of homosexuals
have been performed in Afghanistan by the Taliban army.
Statment by the Islamic Society
of North America:
Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi of the ISNA said:
"Homosexuality is a
moral disorder. It is a moral disease, a sin and corruption... No
person is born homosexual, just like no one is born a thief, a liar or
murderer. People acquire these evil habits due to a lack of proper
guidance and education."
"There are many reasons why it
is forbidden in Islam. Homosexuality is dangerous for the health of the
individuals and for the society. It is a main cause of one of the most
harmful and fatal diseases. It is disgraceful for both men and women.
It degrades a person. Islam teaches that men should be men and women
should be women. Homosexuality deprives a man of his manhood and a
woman of her womanhood. It is the most un-natural way of life.
Homosexuality leads to the destruction of family life."
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