Category: Rights Gays and Otherwise
Rights, Gay and Otherwise, Introduction
Secular humanism has a long, proud history as a champion of the human rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons. As Ronald A. Lindsay notes in his introductory article, in the West the focus of that activism has shifted over decades from protecting the mere legality of homosexual behavior to fighting for—and often …
Humanism, LGBT Equality, and Human Rights
Secular humanism has been identified with support for gay rights for decades. The Council for Secular Humanism was founded in 1980 in part to counter the influence of religion on law and public policy and to promote fundamental human rights. In the context of sexual relations, this agenda resulted in a commitment to work to …
The Case for Civil Unions for All Couples
Those who oppose gay marriage believe deeply that marriage is sacred and divine, a blessed sacrament between man and woman as ordained in the Bible. If they are right, then the entire concept of marriage has no place in our civil society, which recognizes the separation between the sacred and the secular, between church and …
Homosexuality in Africa
In Africa, issues concerning sex are treated with utmost secrecy. Talking openly about one’s sexual life is taboo. Discussing sexual feelings, acts, and experiences in public is frowned upon. Little or no sex education takes place in African schools or homes. Parents and teachers are reluctant to teach children about matters relating to sexuality because …
LGBT Rights in Malawi
Malawi is a landlocked country situated in Southern Africa and bordered by Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia. When Malawi became independent of Britain in 1964, its constitution enshrined a bill of rights. However, when the country reorganized as a single-party state two years later, a new constitution was promulgated, and the bill of rights was removed. …
The Next Level: LGBT Equality in South Africa
Since its emergence from the clutches of apartheid, South Africa has attempted to insert itself back into global politics without raising eyebrows. The “legacy” of apartheid is not so much a memory as it is the nation’s current condition. All too often, political promises are defined by their failure to bear fruit; disappointment remains constant. …