Nathan Elliott Contributing Writer
During a forum Wednesday night in the Starlight Terrace, a panel of international speakers described how lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals are accepted in some countries while persecuted in others.
The panelists from Spain, India and Switzerland agreed that acceptance of diverse sexual orientations differ greatly around the world, and everyone is responsible to change negative perceptions of homosexuality.
"I don't believe there is anything like a gay problem or straight problem, I just believe we all suffer from the same problem: a human problem," said Alan D'Souza, a recent agriculture education graduate.
D'Souza was a panelist at the Sexual Orientation Diversity Association' s meeting, which highlighted international perspectives of homosexuality. He has been away from his home country of India for three years but can still describe the gay community in his country, he said. Other panelists included Maya Joray, international studies graduate student from Switzerland and C.W. Cowley, international studies graduate student who spoke about Russia and Asia.
The panelists elaborated on the human rights violations committed against gays and lesbians to an audience of about 35 during the SODA meeting.
"Around the world, the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people are violated daily," said forum moderator Cowley, quoting the OUTfront network of Amnesty International.
Currently, 12 nations call for the execution of people convicted of committing homosexual acts, Cowley said.
In Afghanistan, six men convicted of sodomy were forced to stand in front of a stone wall while a tank was rolled on top of them, he said.
In Cairo, 52 men were arrested and imprisoned for "acts of debauchery."
Most recently, a journalist in Uzbekistan was arrested and tortured for an alleged homosexual act, Cowley said.
The stigma of homosexuality is far worse in some countries like Uzbekistan than in the United States, he said.
In India, homosexuality is considered "masti" or an occasional wayward behavior, not a sexual act, D'Souza said.
"The solution to homosexuality is marriage," he said.
India has an estimated 13.5 million gay males between the ages of 15 to 60, amounting to about 5 percent of the population, D'Souza said.
Although most religions in India do not tolerate homosexuality, most of the country's population does not care or ignores diverse sexual orientations, said D'Souza. Responses to the gay community are rarely violent, he said.
Joray said she has never encountered problems with her sexual orientation, most people just don't care.
"People [in Switzerland] are trained to mind their own business," Joray said.
Proposed legislation allowing for unions similar to marriage for homosexuals is in the works in Switzerland, she said.
Some students said they were shocked to learn about the violence the gay community encounters in some countries.
Chris Norfleet, interior merchandising junior, said learning about international perspectives on homosexuality was eye opening.
"Although we do have our problems (in the United States), there are also problems which are more serious in other countries," he said.
Norfleet said he was surprised at the level of acceptance of his sexual orientation in Oklahoma and the university through groups like SODA. Although there is still a lot of work to be done, he said.
Next Wednesday, SODA will hold its annual Hate Crimes Candlelight Vigil in the Student Union Ballroom.
---- Source: http://www.ocolly.com/new_ocollycom/archives/show_story.php?a_id=20040
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