'Equality more than passing laws'

Mmegi Editor | Monday December 6, 2021 06:00

The courts have also made life easier for the LGBTQI by ensuring that there is equality and justice for all. It is the small victories that inspire the community or any supporter of the movement to walk with their heads held high.

In a sane society it should have been made clear that everyone is free to honor their identity and sexuality without any fear of victimisation or even in instance of the gay community being criminalised for choosing to be who they are. It took an effort for the gay community to make sure that the government and the Constitution protect their rights.

It was not an easy fight since they had at times taken the legal route. They refused to be bullied into silence and never allowed themselves to be victims of their surrounding especially in a society that believes in morality and Christianity and values that being gay is not natural.

The society needs to recognise that times have changed and that there is civil equality for every person whether heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.

It is imperative that every human being’s freedom and human rights are respected. As the American singer Lady Gaga once said, the gay community has fought and continues to fight a war of acceptance, war of tolerance and the most relentless bravery, it is the definition of courage. The recent victory at the courts is a reflection of the relentless bravery the LGBTQI community has displayed and continued to show. In law, equality means that law should be passed to protect the community but in essence it means more than passing laws, it means the implementation of those laws and in all also the minds of the community to open and accept those laws, that’s what will count as change.

The important thing is not to object to laws meant to protect all. From a religious point of view since we claim to be a Christian nation, God says he is love and such love should transcend to all.

The gay community in its continuous fight believes that if God hated homosexuality and considered it a sin then, it is for him to judge not another human being. The passing of laws that protects the LGBTQI may not completely cease prejudice but in all it’s a good start. As communities we need openness and inclusion to co-exist in a harmonious way. Cheers to the new beginnings for the LGBTQI community in Botswana, be good and be heard.

Today’s Thoughts

“You don’t have to be gay to be a supporter—you just have to be a human.”

-Daniel Radcliffe