Friday, November 1, 2013
Are Gay Rights, Human Rights??
Now here is the thing about gay rights, they are the exclusive rights granted to homosexuals. These inadvertently protect homosexuals from discrimination, attacks against them among others. Gay rights are similar to women's rights, children's rights and animal rights they are exclusive to a targeted and specific group. That in itself does not make gay rights any less human rights because what they do is protect a certain group of people in this case gays and lesbians. Understanding the definition of Human Rights is of utmost important. Human rights are universal and inalienable. All people in the world are entitled to them. They cannot voluntarily be given up, nor can others take them away. As stated in Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948 enshrines all universal rights which all humans are subject to. Article 1 of the Declaration states that:-
“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
Certain cultural groups have chosen not to acknowledge gay rights as human rights or as any right at all, this however is not subject to criticism. Gay rights are human rights there is no compromise on that one, but what we have to understand is that human rights are not a one size fits all deal they differ from place to place. Irrespective of this there are universally and unanimously accepted characteristics these are, “All human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and interrelated. Human rights are said also to be inalienable.
No matter how inhuman you act or how inhuman you are treated you are still a human being and therefore you are a human rights holder. Human rights are human rights as long as the next person’s liberty is not infringed on.
Universalists argue that certain practices violate norms of human culture yes that is true. As I pointed out earlier human rights are not a one size fits all and forcing them on people is questioning the autonomy of the recipient.
Human rights are relative and socially constructed on the basis of needs. This is evidenced by difference in opinion by states on issues like homosexuality. Most African states are against whilst the West argue it is A human right. Difference in culture, religion and values within given states makes the issue of human rights differ from place to place but there are certain rights that are uniform like the right to shelter, life, food, property, protection among others.
Gay rights are Human Rights but because we choose not to acknowledge them because of our values, principles and beliefs does not make them any less of human rights……………………………
More is to be discussed on the issue…….
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