blog 10: LGBT vs. Guyana

Much like Uganda, Guyana has let its same-sex bias determine how they govern their people. They have been criticized countless times on their lack of protection provided for the lgbt community. Recently, Guyanas judge ruled that cross-dressing is legal so long as it is not for "improper purpose". However, there was no clarification on this phrase. As a consequence, the people of Guyana remain conforming in prejudiced society for fear of prison or death.

Luckily, the lgbt community of Guyana has finally come together with a plan: Society Agaikst Sexual Orientatiok Doscrimination. This is a human rights organization that intends to provide assistance and act as a spokesperson for those discriminated against. Their most recent interest is the Specification of the new cross-dressing rule. This group could pave the way for great social progress in the community for Guyana. A member of the group, Nhojj, said that there has been some talk of helping the lgbt community by creating jobs and more economical action in Guyana. He elaborates, "There are just so many things that Guyana is missing out on because of their bias. It is time to look past these petty differences and put the well being of our community as a whole first". Many people are confident, as am I, that this group could greatly improve the overall attitude Guyana has towards its newcomers, which could in turn increase the population and economy stimulation as well.

Blog 9: One Step Closer or One Step Back for the LGBT Community

Summary: A few months ago the Supreme Court ignited some anger in the LGBT community when they  rejected Delhi High Court's decision to decriminalize gay sex among adults. Even more recently, the apex court decided to give the label of a third gender to transgenders.

Analysis: The LGBT community has become offended over this. They feel as if they have been shorted because the LGBT community as a whole was not getting the change they wanted. Some of the activists believe the community did not fight hard enough, that they were rightfully overlooked. Activist Ashok Row Kavi elaborated, "When we should have made concerted efforts to get Parliament to repeal or amend Section 377, we started celebrating and getting into complex questions abut patriarchy and marriage". However, the more positive of the LGBT community believe that this is progress either way. I personally reside with this argument, that this turn in the LGBT community's favor will evoke many more future turns in their favor. This could be just the beginning to their journey to equality, one step closer to a more equal place.

Blog #7 Dream Town Realiy Takes a Stand

Summary: Recently, Dream Town Realty decided to make a big change in their sale tactics. Starting on Friday, the firm will be advertising its new group, Pride of Ownership, which will specifically be focusing on real estate for the LGBT community. This will make the company controversial, sure, but rare as well. It is seldom that you find a company marketing for the LGBT community to such an extent.

Analysis: From a business perspective, this is a risky endeavor to say the least. It is not often that business target a certain demographic group, for obvious reasons. The LGBT community is still currently a very hot issue for the nation, making the move that much riskier. Easily this is how I view their change from a sociological conflict perspective. However, I believe that this serves better as an example of the functionalist view. Founder Yuval Degani elaborates, "It's not just about a pink rush," Degani said. "We're trying to create resources." Sometimes, taking such a stand on something controversial could help consumers to gain respect for a business. Showing that your values are more important than financial risk is admirable.

Blog 6. The Westboro Church does it again...or does it?

Summary: Fred Phelps, the founder of the infamous Westboro Baptist Church, has not been in the best condition. He has been hospitalized, probably due to his over enthusiastic shouting of vulgar obscenities about the LGBT community, for quite some time now. The spokesperson of the Satanic Temple, Lucien Greaves, recently announced that he will be leading a "Pink Mass" on Phelps' grave in order to make him gay after death. Lucien elaborated, saying that this is more than a publicity stunt, it is the vengeance of Phelps many victims in the LGBT community.

Analysis: At first, I had no idea where to begin with this analysis. At first glance, this just seems like an outrageously played out shenanigan to match the outrageous Westboro Baptist Church. I did not see vengeance or any justice in this plot by the Satanic Temple. I just saw two equally enthusiastic organizations taking an eye for an eye.

As I delved into the sociological analysis of the principles these two are using to support their actions, I recognized two things easily. One, these organizations may be opposing opinions, but they are far from different. They both handle their opinions in belligerent, childlike manners. Two, more importantly, they are using the LGBT community as a toy. Throwing their ideals around to entertain themselves. If either group really cared about the well-being or religious pathways of the LGBT community, they would set aside their games and try to help the situation. They could become activists in the community. Whether it is exposing more of the LGBT community to religious guidance from the Westboro Baptist church end, or the Satanic Temple representatives merely befriending the community and furthering their knowledge of the people they claim to support.

Blog 4: Things are Looking up for Boston

Summary: Boston has had a ban on gay organizations for 20 years now, but has recently decided to allow the LGBT community into their annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The deal was fairly strict. They can participate under certain condition. For example, there can be no referencing of their sexual orientation (clothes, signs, etc). This is big not only because it has long since been a huge representation of Bostons most prided groups, but also because it is sponsored by the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council. Now, even the gay military veterans can march among them. 

Analysis: The parade once held much controversy over the allowing of the LGBT community to march. In 1992 and 1993, the state courts cracked down on the sponsors. They were to allow for diversity, or live without a parade. In 1994, the sponsors decided to cancel the parade out of spite. It's amazing to see that this was less than 20 years ago. Progress has finally been made, and as a society we are beginning to understand the value of togetherness and equality. Sociologically speaking this makes for a much more functionalist society; less focus on the discrimination can lead to more focus and work towards our real problems.

Blog #2 Ugandas big decision on bail 2/14/14

Summary: So recently, Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni has made a hugely controversial proposal. The proposal is to deny bail to anyone that may be having sex with someone of the same sex. If there is reason to believe a certain person is homosexual, they are to be locked up immediately with no chance of bail until they go on trial. Basically treating consensual gay sex as rape.

Analysis:  If an act is consensual, why is it treated as otherwise? If I hit someone in the face, is that really wrong if the other person wanted me to? And that analogy is if you were to see gay sex in a negative light (comparing it to hitting someone). Gay sex is becoming looked at as criminal behavior, and I am not sure how. If being homosexual implied any type of criminal behavior I could understand, but it doesn't. No more than being heterosexual. Why is this double-standard allowed to poison our justice system?

googles bold statement on the LGBT community

Summary: So recently Google put a quote on its home page, "The practice of a sport is a human right Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play." As we all know, Google consistently updates its page according to current events, holidays, and other random celebrations. This quote was beneath a giant rainbow Olympic-themed logo put up for the Sochi winter games. Clearly the rainbow is in relationship with the quotation, the rainbow long since being the symbol of equality for the LGBT community.

Analysis: As we all know (especially being college students), Google is extremely popular and, as a consequence, highly influential. Putting such a bold statement was very controversial. What does this tell us? A lot about the companys character, or at the least what kind of image they want to display. Obviously they chose to promote the (by debate) the less popular opinion, which is admirable. Knowing the expense it could cost their company, they chose to stand by their opinion. On the other hand, from a business standpoint, I suppose you could say it was a stupid move. It is subjective to how you value a number of things. Religion, equality, business ethics..there are more than a few.