While studying the complex and rich world of sociology, there is much to be learned through comparing how different cultures approach the same issue. Comparing and contrasting diverse ideologies towards the same subject allows us to evaluate differences in cultural perspectives, and gives us a further understanding of the nature of social groups.
In light of the recent United States discussions on the treatment of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community- both through discourse on the possible repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” as well as the ongoing debate surrounding the concept of gay marriage, there is much to be discovered by studying the treatment of this minority across cultures.
The inspiration for this review is an article entitled the “Testimony by FannyAnn Eddy at the U.N. Commission on Human Rights,” (Beyond Borders, pg. 394). In Eddy’s testimony, she pleads for attention to the inhumane manner in which the GLBT community is treated in Sierra Leone. The article details the fact that gay or transgendered individuals may be arrested or put in jail simply for their sexual orientation. In addition, GLBT individuals are disowned by families, or marry members of the opposite sex in order to conform to the demands of society. This is a tragedy not only for the individuals that must hide an aspect of their identity, but also for the entire community- the speaker cites that the Lesbian and Gay Association in collaboration with Sierra Leone has found that “90% of men who have sex with men also have sex with women… Of that group, 85% said that they do not use condoms,” (Beyond Borders, pg. 395). Considering that the Population Reference Bureau and UNAIDS found that 55,000 people in Sierra Leone were living with AIDs in 2008, this poses a crucial problem to the community. Eddy claims that one of the largest contributors to this problem is the fact that African leaders do not like to address this minority, or even acknowledge their existence. This approach is reminiscent of functional theory, in which parts of society have a function or role that is meant to maintain stability of the whole- in this case, entering into heterosexual relationships, procreating, and refusing to acknowledge downfalls in the way people are treated. Another problem raised in this article is status position- if African leaders are not willing to acknowledge or address this discrimination and inhumane treatment of a minority, it is possible for people to be arrested or treated in a subhuman manner because they do not have the status that politicians and law makers have.
The unfortunate and horrific treatment of the LGBT community is not limited to the United States and Sierra Leone- this is, in every way, a global issue. According to a recent report by the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, more than 80 countries retain laws that criminalize LGBT individuals. For example, gay men in Nigeria can serve up to 14 years in jail for their sexual orientation if they live in Christian areas of the country, and can even face death by stoning if they reside in areas that practice Sharia law. In Kuwait, 14 people were arrested due to a new law making “imitating the appearance of a member of the opposite sex,” in 2007, (IGLHRC, 2009).
Due to the extreme nature of the penalties put forth worldwide by diverse cultures towards this minority, we are forced to consider the sociological drives behind these acts. One obvious component is the idea of values- “socially shared conceptions of what is good, desirable and proper, or bad, undesirable, and improper,” (Parrillo, pg. 24). Countries with predominant religious ideologies that condemn anything differing from the expected heterosexual behavior may justify punishing those who do not adhere to their socially constructed set of values and beliefs. This is further enforced by norms- set codes of behavior that, when violated, may result in discrimination from those who adhere to the norms of a society.
In addition, the facts force us to consider the concepts of assimilation and pluralism. Eddy’s address to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights displays some of the very negative concepts that can emerge from assimilation, by emphasizing the practice of gay men marrying to fit into mainstream culture, while continuing on in their sexual orientation on the down low. Pluralism is also present in the fact that LGBT individuals band together and form commissions and networks of support to create an environment and cultural group which allows them to find support, as well as speak out against discrimination.
In conclusion, the treatment of LGBT groups remains an issue experienced across the globe. It is crucial to study other cultures in order to examine our own- for example, Eddy’s testimony states, “African leaders use culture, tradition, religion, and societal norms to deny our existence,” (Beyond Borders, pg. 395). Are these not the same aspects we use within the United States to prevent gay marriage, and protect “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”?
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