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OCTOBER 20.2007 • Q-NOTES ACROSS THE A G, E S concerning contagion — and in this way the HIV/AIDS pandemic has been used as a tool to prevent, slow or reverse progress toward LGBT equality in ^ many parts of the world. Throughout the early years of the disease, commg out as gay and serving as ' ”' ' an activist meant the difference between life and death. In a hypothetical world free of the virus, it is possible that many places only just now tee tering toward tolerance or acceptance would have done so a generation ago. Western Europe versus the Middle East Western Europe and the Middle East are homes to mature nations that have experi enced several cycles of expansion and reces sion. The United States by comparison (at only 231 years old) has not yet existed for as long as a dynasty in these nations — the Valois family alone ruled Erance for over 260 years. We are, developmentally speaking, cultural teenagers and this is a main source of tension throughout the world regarding our intrusive relations with older countries. If Europe and Asia have recovered from wars, epidemics and invasions, why does Western Europe foster so much more tolerance for LGBT people than the Middle East and other Islamic nations? It isn’t because Christianity is more accepting of LGBT people than Islam. Europe experienced the fall of Rome, the Crusades, several bouts of Black Plague, multiple inquisitions, varied religious wars, industrializa tion and Colonialism. The Middle East missed out on some of that, but not most; however, his torically, Europe has a much wider influence in the development of world events because of Colonialism and the wealth it brought Europe. The Middle East suffered economically when Emope came to power, became entrenched in religious fundamentalism and is now largely suffering the effects of being trapped in a sort of medieval mindset. The Middle East is decades (and in some places centuries) behind Western Europe, in terms of the modern cultural development that results in a separation of church and state. Why? There are three reasons: The Inquisition, the Reformation and the Holocaust. , Many Western Europeans are weary of reli gious zealotry and are suspicious of anything resembling fimdamentalism or theocracy. As nations they have seen untold millions of peo ple murdered horribly over the centuries in the name of religious behefs. Add that to the living memory of World War II and you have a situa tion where people are willing to re-examine their behefs and, as a result, are more likely to tolerate difference. By contrast, the president of Iran pubhcly calls into question the reality of the Holocaust and the existence of LGBT peo ple in Iran. How could tolerance for LGBT peo ple be reahstically expected in that context? Equality and legislation around the world With these devdc^ments in Western Europe and the Middle East in mind, it is interesting to look at wfliere LGBT rights have developed and \diere they have lagged Not surprising. Western Europe offers the most consistent high levels of LGBT tolerance in the world, as does Canada. Oceania is an open place by comparison and the Americas are catching up (although parts of the Caribbean and Latin America are particularly hostile). Some parts of Asia are coming along, but Africa in geiiei^ and the Middle East in particu lar are deadly for LGBT people. One might be shocked, however, to learn that gay marriage and protection from discrimination are built into South Africa’s constitution — whether it is enforced or hot is another question. The areas most dangerous to LGBT people are those suffering poverty, enduring ultra conservative political regimes or being gov erned by law codes based on monotheistic reli gious doctrines. However, human rights abuses do not go imnoticed, and economic repercus sions can be motivating. Capitalism may very well buy the egalitarianism that common sense and a humanitarian spirit can’t afford. As technology shrinks the world and the cultural lines separating ideas and customs become more blurred, LGBT communities around the world will gradually come to places of greater esteem and parity. The boulder of inevitability has been rolling with increasing momentum for nearly 4() years — within our lifetihies we can expect that our rights and families will be afforded, on a far broader scale, the respect and dignity they deserve. There is still work to do, but the goal is in sight. I — Jack Kirven holds an M.F.A.from UCLA, and his research there focused on issues con cerning LGBT culture, history, identity, art, per formance, political activism and the politics of gender expresssion and sexual identity. Real Estate Re-Defiued: Location. Location. Relationship. Looking for an agent who thinks like you? Who advocates for you? Who helps sell your property for the best price and buy at the fairest price? Let's Talkt Brooks Gravitt Realtor® Cell: 704-264-5503 BGravltt@weichert.com Ted Wilson Realtor® Cell: 704-604-1313 TWilson@weichert.com Weichert, Realtors* Rebhan & Associates Independently cwiied and opeialed 6000 Fairview Dr., Suite 104, Charlotte, NC 28210 Office: 704-553-7777 • Fax: 704-553-7767 New People, New Friends, Great Times. Gastonia’s gathering place... Gastonia s Premier Gay & Lesbian Night Spot 420 West Main Ave. Gastonia 704.866.7333 www.nightowlsofgastonia.com Open; Wed - Sun. 6 p.m. - 2 a.m. (Please Call For Directions) Best Entertainment in North Carolina! October 27th IWWWWTWf IRi IflWfT WWIT Costume Contest $200 cash prize Drink Specials Entertainment provided by the House Cast of Night Owls Wednesdays Pool Tournament $2.00 Pitchers of Draft Thursdays Open Mic Night Fridays The Tracy Morgan Show Join us again October 31st for our Halloween Encore Party! Saturdays Kasey King’s Drag Showcase Sundays Kings and Queens Show - 10:30 p.m. Karaoke after the show! October 19th Miss North Carolina USofA at Large Pageant Featuring Miss Paisley Parque - Miss NC USofA @ Large 2005-2006 *For pageant and talent show Details contact Teresa at 704-740-6115 or shamrock49@charter.net or visit www.nightowlsofgastonia.com
Q-notes (Charlotte, N.C.)
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