Gay Rights ARE Human Rights
Posted on: March 19, 2012
Our Arab *allies* are not only returning to their old ways regarding women (did they ever really change?) but now they are beginning attacks on gay and lesbian citizens in Iraq. From recent reports up to 100 gay, lesbian or emos have been killed recently in Iraq. “Emo” is short for emotional hardcore and was a movement here in the U.S. in the 1980s. Here’s part of the definition from wiki:
Usually among teens, the term “emo” is stereotyped with wearing slim-fit jeans, sometimes in bright colors, and tight T-shirts (usually short-sleeved) which often bear the names of emo bands. Studded belts and black wristbands are common accessories in emo fashion. Some males also wear thick, black horn-rimmed glasses.
So apparently it’s a bit *odd* and the leaders don’t care for it. Oh my. In some parts of the country “moral panic” was stirred up by militias alleging that emo youth were Satanists, vampires and the like. Shades of Anne Rice and Lestat.
According to Gay Star News, in Baghdad “local media reported massacres of emo youth and LGBT people occurring in the districts of Sadr, Chaala, Albaladiat, Baghdad Al-Jadedah, Karadah and Kadhymia. The number of victims claimed ranges from 56 to 100.” And according to an Iraqi LGBTQ activist, there is apparently a *preferred* method to the murders “by hitting their heads and body parts with concrete blocks repeatedly until death.”. Another favored method is to push their victims of the tops of high buildings. Further, if the victims do survive their attacks there is no guarantee they will live as “five survivors were murdered inside hospitals according to a confidential witness.”
A report from in in-country activist :
…indicates that Jaish Al-Mahdi (Mahdi Army) and Asa’ib Ahl al-Haq (League of the Righteous) are at least partially responsible for the murders.An anonymous official in Sadr city’s municipal council affirmed that some people are recruited by extremist armed militias who carry lists stored in their phones with the names of emo youths and LGBTQ people to be murdered.
It has also emerged that some officials are actually behind the killings.
Colonel Mushtaq Taleb Muhammadawi, director of the community police of the Iraqi Interior Ministry, stated on 6 February that they had observed the so-called Satanists and emos. He added that the police have an official approval to eliminate emo people because of their ‘notorious effects’ on the community.
The colonel declared to Iraq News Network that: ‘Research and reports on the emo phenomenon has been conducted and shared with the Ministry of Interior which officially approves the measures to eliminate them.
So far the Iraqi government has neither acknowledged the targeted attacks nor condemned them. This is not acceptable.
However, what can we expect when the entire Muslim delegation walked out during a debate by the U.N. Human Rights Council on gay rights?
The 47-member state council was holding a session on sexual orientation-based discrimination for the first time after a historic resolution seeking equal rights for everyone was passed in June 2011, to the consternation of Muslim states.
On Wednesday, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Arab group and the African group made their opposition clear, by walking out during the meeting.
“Licentious behavior promoted under the concept of ‘sexual orientation’ is against the fundamental teachings of various religions including Islam,” Pakistan’s envoy said.
“From this perspective, legitimizing homosexuality and other personal sexual behaviors in the name of sexual orientation is unacceptable to the OIC,” he added.
No, again I will say: this…is…not acceptable!
Our government has the means and methods to *urge* other countries to stop the persecution of LGBT people. Secretary of State Clinton said that last year in a speech at the U.N. We need to follow up our words with actions.
To see the entire speech our gal gave last year, you can go here. The speech is about 30 minutes in length.
31 Responses to "Gay Rights ARE Human Rights"
March 19, 2012 at 8:39 am
“League of the Righteous” has a ring to it that would fit perfectly in some corners of this country.
March 19, 2012 at 9:11 am
For those of us who revere the concept of the “separation of church and state” these are truly rough times.
Fighting back against the religionists who dominate the dialogue is frustrating especially when accused of being “anti religion”. Forcing their belief system down the throats of those of us who prefer to believe otherwise is an exercise in futility.
These are people who believe they are better than the rest of us who see things through a far different lens.
When their personal beliefs manage to wiggle out of the church and into the public domain as proposed “law” then indeed, I do have a problem with it.
It has proven to be far more divisive than inclusive which merely sets the stage for the upheaval of society that we are witnessing today.
March 19, 2012 at 9:34 am
Pat, so true. Sadly religion has become distorted. I’m not a religious person today, but back in my youth I recall a Sermon on the Mount, much of which is reproduced in the Qu’ran. Seems that the religious don’t really care much for Jesus’ teaching.
Church and state should remain separate – for infinity. I cannot understand why the religious want to grab power and force the rest of us into a mould that they deem acceptable. To heck with them. We let them worship as they see fit, so they should leave the rest of us alone – yeah I know, in my dreams.
Fredster, excellent post. I was listening to the radio yesterday (CBC of course) and they had a segment on the murder of emo children in Iraq. Apalling, truly disgusting.
March 19, 2012 at 9:41 am
HT, once they receive “the call of god” they can never let well enough alone.
The Inquisition was a perfect example of power grabbing. “Convert or die!” We did it to Native Americans and every country we ever invaded.
The “mission” has never actually been to democraticize these countries as to ultimately convert them.
The creeping crud of the Dominionist theory is slowly finding its way to the surface.
March 19, 2012 at 10:40 am
Pat, it’s not slowly finding it’s way – it’s an express train out of control. Witness the Uganda anti gay bill. Now here’s a couple that espouses views that will curl your hair – and they are relative youngsters – early thirties. Their views make me ill, and they are involved with indoctrinating young people. One section stood out for me:
“When I ask Patricia about the issue of “wifely submission,” Molotov jokingly interjects: “Silence!… I will speak on her behalf. She’s very happy and very free.”
But it’s clear the question makes Patricia somewhat nervous. “I submit to my husband,” she says. “I think it’s a delicate balance because it doesn’t do him any favors if I agree with everything he says. He wants me to tell him what I think about things. Why would he marry me if he didn’t value me, right?”
“Duh, ’cause you’re smokin’ hot!” Molotov replies.”
Yeah, cause men are totally subservient to their penis, and women are doomed to be the receptacle. Their views on LGBT are just as frightening. Ignorant jackasses. If you have the stomach for it, here’s the link to an article about this influential right wing mentally ill couple. Stomach churning to be sure, but it pays to know the enemy, particularly the up and comers.
http://www.good.is/post/new-dominionists-meet-the-christian-couple-behind-the-right-s-most-viral-videos/
March 19, 2012 at 11:02 am
It wasn’t until *after* I got done with the post, scheduled it, etc. and *then* thought about the title. I should have taken it from Hillary’s statement “Gay rights are human rights…” when she spoke at the U.N. Afraid to change it now since the tweets have already gone out. However, the bottom line is the same: If you aren’t going to allow LGBT people live, period, let alone live without fear, then we need to hit them economically.
March 19, 2012 at 11:25 am
HT@9: Well that’s what she mentioned in her speech so now we need to take action on it.
March 19, 2012 at 11:27 am
I decided to go ahead and change the title. It works better.
March 19, 2012 at 12:03 pm
What a mess when even a woman Nobel Laureate defends anti-gay policies while Tony Blair keeps his mouth shut. Screw these people.
The Nobel peace prize winner and president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has defended a law that criminalises homosexual acts, saying: “We like ourselves just the way we are.”
In a joint interview with Tony Blair, who was left looking visibly uncomfortable by her remarks, Sirleaf told the Guardian: “We’ve got certain traditional values in our society that we would like to preserve.”
Liberian legislation classes “voluntary sodomy” as a misdemeanour punishable by up to one year in prison, but two new bills have been proposed that would target homosexuality with much tougher sentences.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/mar/19/nobel-peace-prize-law-homosexuality
March 19, 2012 at 12:44 pm
ralphb@12: Well Ms Sirleaf, let’s see what $$s we can stop sending YOU!
I wonder what the much tougher sentences are? Bashing people in the head with concrete blocks?
March 19, 2012 at 12:51 pm
Completely off topic but (from nola.com):
The biggest free agent on the market, quarterback Peyton Manning, has signed with the Denver Broncos, according to multiple reports.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is also reporting the Broncos will try to trade Tim Tebow.
Manning, according to Schefter, send a message to Broncos president saying he was looking forward to play for him.
Bolding mine and tee-hee!
March 19, 2012 at 12:55 pm
Perhaps then Tim will be free to play fullback, which is probbly his natural position.
March 19, 2012 at 1:12 pm
chat@15: If he accepts that idea. I just hope Peyton knows what the hell he’s doing.
March 19, 2012 at 1:59 pm
Does Rick Santorum really want to win the nomination he has declared a war on PORN!
My Response:
Really what folks don’t Realize about Rick Santorum’s so called war on porn is it is how the NAZI’s started out standing up against porn and obscene literature and art. This is a First Amendment Issue. Frist its the porn then soon its The Republicans going after Strauss, Mahler, Chagall and Hannah Arendt and other degenerate and Jewish artists…sorry I will keep the music and the porn I love my freedom of speech! This must stop this is America! What sill we do when Leger’s, Picasso’s, Kandinski’s and Pollack’s works all come down off the Museum Walls because they offend Santorum’s and his ilks Conservative Sensibilities?
Now dont you all go after me for being so Anti-Santorum I also posted this because I am “A Gay Who Cares”:
Attention Democrats in Open Primary States You Can vote Republican in the Presidential primary I suggest you do since our Nominee has be chosen in the Incumbent. Vote Rick Santorum help the Democrats in November by giving them Santorum in Tampa in August!
March 19, 2012 at 4:20 pm
That’s called ‘playing with fire.” Or maybe, “Just asking for it!”
March 19, 2012 at 5:09 pm
(sigh) I just wonder if anyone anywhere is making a ruckus about the poor kids in Iraq. I haven’t checked the S.O.S. site but I’m going to do so later.
March 19, 2012 at 6:20 pm
I cannot believe it we pour like 1/2 Trillion into Iraq and this is how they repay us?
We wanted a secular government in Iraq I want my money back. Islam the religion of peace, unless you are gay, a woman, or not a Muslim, Then you are a second or third class citizen….
Islam as it is practiced by their fundamentalists sucks as much as Christianity as practiced by our Christian Fundamentalists.
March 19, 2012 at 6:59 pm
fuzzy@20: Oh yeah! Iraqis: You may not *approve* of LGBT people but damn, at least don’t kill them for nothing other than being gay. No more funding for them for anything ! 
March 19, 2012 at 7:20 pm
Fredster, thought you’d be interested in the article on the emo murders in Iraq. The source is Al Arabiya
http://english.alarabiya.net/articles/2012/03/10/199751.html
March 19, 2012 at 7:38 pm
Thanks for the link HT. The sad this is these are kids who are being…kids! Sadly they are being lumped in with LGBT people.
At least one religious leader is advising against this reign of terror.
However I don’t know what to make of the other one’s statement that
it should be everyone’s religious duty to advise “Emo” youth.
What the hell does that mean?
March 19, 2012 at 11:32 pm
Sirleaf can drop dead for all I care.
Here’s another doozy. Read it and weep.
March 19, 2012 at 11:35 pm
Would there be change in the world if wealthy nations cut off all funds for nations where women, gays, and any other group oppressed because of misogyny are not respected, equal and free?
Would there be a change in the discourse if women stopped having sex with Republican and Catholic men?
March 19, 2012 at 11:55 pm
@DYB: My God. 
Sophie: a: possibly b: definitely!
Sophie: check this out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysistrata
March 20, 2012 at 12:15 am
Sophie – Lysistrata should live, but some women are just too indoctrinated to take notice. Why they live the way they do and worse still insist other women live by their rules is beyond me. I got out of an abusive situation and raised my two chitlins by myself – granted not all women have the job and the wherewithall I did, however when it’s over, it’s dead and gone and better to leave than remain behind. Yet these women do not ever recognize that they are being abused. Santorum’s wife – prime example. They are so indoctrinated that they insist that every other woman should follow their example. Not a healthy situation.
March 20, 2012 at 3:12 am
Fredster, excellent post, but so sad. Horrible about the killings of Gays and Lesbians and the Emos. HT, thanks for the link and info.
March 20, 2012 at 4:25 am
Socal@30: Thank you. I do hope we can do something as S.o.S. Clinton said we could.
Comments are closed.
March 19, 2012 at 8:31 am
This stuff does not exist in a vacuum. Slap the “religion” label on these actions then watch the haters line up. It makes then feel good, standing around applauding as some poor soul is harassed, intimidated, threatened, abused, and killed at the hands of self righteous assholes with “god” on their side.
The practices of Fred Phelps has invaded the culture of most countries where freedom of expression is on the side of “do gooders” carrying out some corrupted version of “god’s will”.
Contemptable people carrying out contemptable acts in the name of religion are more dangerous than ever.
Excellent post, fredster!