IS GAY MARRIAGE A CHOICE FOR GUYANA?

In a landmark 5-4 majority decision which was felt across the world, the U.S. Supreme Court, redefined and broadened the traditional concept of marriage. The Supreme Court’s decision represents a major victory for the gay rights movement in its struggle to end discrimination against lesbians, gays, bi-sexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. This is a significant disappointment for members of the religious community which believes in the sanctity of traditional marriage.
No one should be surprised with the U.S Supreme Court’s decision because the writing was on the wall a long time ago for everyone in society to be politically correct and not disrespect the rights of others.
The role of the courts, in secular societies such as the Unites States, Guyana and several other countries, is not to rule on the morality of an issue. Courts are to interpret the law and, on this basis, make a determination of cases based on the rule of law. The role of religion, on the other hand, is to address the morality of an issue based on interpretation of the religious word.
While advocates of religion have the freedom to stand up and defend what they believe is morally right, they have no right under the law to impose their will or views on others. Democracy dictates that people are free to make their own decision as to who to marry or not marry.
It is said that when America sneezes the world catches a cold. Therefore, for as much as Guyanese are overwhelmingly against gays, lesbians and same sex marriage, it will only be a matter of time before they follow the great United States of America and recognize same sex marriage and the rights of LGBT, even though those rights are against their religious and moral teaching.
The churches have a critical role to play in showing compassion or empathy to people who have chosen a different sexual orientation, for whatever reason, and to extend love to all individuals no matter their differences in lifestyles. The church should not be on the defensive and feel that to uphold its traditional values is appropriate. The saying “different strokes for different folks” holds true.
Surprisingly, Guyana is a rather tolerant society to human differences, even in sexual orientation. Many in the workplace are known homosexuals and this has not altered their professional respect straight people have for their gay colleagues. The problem some people have is the bravado—in-your-face and flaunting behaviour of some LGBT activists.
To shore up support for gays in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said in 2013, “If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord, and has goodwill, who am I to judge?” The Pope’s enlightened and unbiased attitude goes against church policy that has existed for thousands of years and against his predecessor, Pope Benedict, who in 2005 called homosexuality “an intrinsic moral evil,” and that those with such tendencies should not become priests.
If Pope Francis who has all the priests’ sexual abuse scandal to deal with can soften his stance on gays and lesbians, even though the church has not officially recognized gay unions, then why are the churches and some Guyanese continue hold on to their archaic views of not recognizing that gays are entitled to be accepted for who they are?
Rejection of gays by the local clergy is an antiquated attitude that puts them out of step with the reality of a changing world as more and more countries are legalizing gay marriage. Will the APNU+AFC Coalition Government follow in the footsteps of the United States, Canada and France, among others, and legalize gay marriage?
Everyone is entitled to choose his/her lifestyle without being fearful of being discriminated against, so why not give the same rights as everyone else to gays and lesbians? In short, give them the same rights enshrined in the Constitution that every other citizen of Guyana enjoys.