As
citizen of a state, we have the right to live as well as a right to freedom of
expression. Why then should these rights be limited to some people? Where does
freedom end and moral restriction begin?
Usually,
when something out of the ordinary occurs for the first time, it is considered
an oddity. However, when this same thing occurs frequently and people get a
chance to ‘get used to it’ as well as accept it, it becomes a norm. Although homosexuality
has been in existence for ages, the phenomenon becoming a norm, especially in
our part of the world seems rather farfetched.
‘Same
sex marriage’ is a sensitive and controversial subject that begs attention.
People argue that same sex marriage is not ‘normal’ and should remain illegal.
Society’s definition of normal is a man marrying a woman and procreating. This
could be why the idea of a man and a man or a woman and another woman
exchanging vows and walking down the aisle together riles the dogmatic head of
society.
I ask, who decides what is normal? One answer
would be the majority. In this case, the Majority consisting of the moral
dictators, their receptive subjects, law makers and homophobes. The Minority
consisting of the homosexual, sexually ambiguous, and their sympathizers. In a
society where the Minority’s wishes are subdued, how is everyone represented?
Looking
at this from the eyes of a homosexual, one would think “It is not my fault. I
was made this way, I cannot be a mistake, and it is not just me. This is what
comes naturally for me. Why am I not allowed to live with equal rights? I am as
human as the next man. This is not a choice I made, I just AM”. In the mind of
a disgusted onlooker, “How is this not a mistake, this relationship bears to
fruit, has no natural order and is not normal!”.
Due
to the problem of some deeming homosexuals people with a disease that need to
be cured, human rights are being trampled. Homosexuals are forced to suppress
their natural instincts and remain ‘in the closet’, commit to unhappy marriages
with the opposite sex that results in divorce, survive in loveless homes and go
through life frustrated and hiding.
Same
sex marriage cannot be legalized without the preamble of acceptance of
homosexuals. A surface look at our society here in Ghana might leave one to
think homosexuality is not worthy of discussion because we are a band of heterosexual
people. A closer look into specific circles reveals otherwise. A growing army
of homosexuals who are fueled by other culture’s acceptance are gradually
gaining ground and might eventually amass a voice as loud enough as a majority.
With
homosexual content running wild on the internet and other forms of mass media,
it appears this might eventually morph into a norm. The question of whether
this ‘oddity’ would be given the chance to make it into the walls of a church
and be blessed makes some shiver for tomorrow. Although considered a sin in
many cultures and religions, the basic fundamental human right should not be
ignored and waved aside. Everyone should be treated as equals despite their
sexual orientation. Being homosexual does not make one less of an human and
this is a truth that I believe should never change.
