A

ug. 12, p8

Individuals perceived and known as homosexuals have been the targets of social ridicule and discrimination for many years in many countries. Many people who are gay were thought to have a mental disorder and were given medical attention under the assumption that it could and should be cured.

It was only in 1973 that the US removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders, and Indonesia followed suit in 1983 and again in 1993. Our Health Ministry has stated that homosexuals, heterosexuals and bisexuals should not be seen as people with a mental disorder.

However, many still believe that lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders (LGBTs) are committing sinful acts.
 

Your comments:

Homosexuality is very common in Indonesia. I have been in gay clubs in Surabaya and Jakarta where there were several hundreds of people present. People need to be discreet because being outed can spell disaster for some.

Actually, this behavior is found in all races and all cultures, which strongly indicates that it is rooted in biology. We don'€™t exactly know how but some combination of genes and hormones in the womb seem to be at play. It is not a moral issue because it is rooted in biology and therefore natural for the people who have these desires.

Lasem Benny

Two of my close friends are gay; one of them has finally gained the courage to open up to others. I have got nothing against gay couples, but to me, gays in Indonesia can'€™t have their voices heard and have no place in society mostly due to the fact that'€™s how most people here perceive their sexual orientation.

Indonesians tend to judge others even if they aren'€™t doing anything wrong. However, in this case being gay is still seen to be wrong by the majority. That is why no gay couples here have had the courage to open up, for fear that they will be treated as outsiders in their own social environment.

Their sexuality is not a mental disorder, but somehow their sexual orientation is seen as a deviation from the norms and cultures of the people here, hence the ridicule starts upon knowing that someone is gay. When I talk to a friend of mine, it is obvious to me that he is just (another) normal person with no mental disorder.

Simba

Asyifa Putri writes, '€œThe US recently passed a bill allowing same-sex marriage, which generated mixed feelings around the world'€.

This is not true and the Supreme Court'€™s recent ruling that bans gay marriage is unconstitutional in every country. Aside from the error, saying that actor and comedian Aming Supriatna Sugandhi was '€œonly a spectator'€ [when attending a gay pride parade in the US] is disingenuous. He went in costume, regularly dresses in women'€™s clothing and is close lipped about his sexual orientation.

Honestly, he should come out of the closet. I understand that it'€™ll ruin his career and make him persona non grata back home, but it'€™s not as if it'€™s unknown. Gay rights in the West are the product of thousands, perhaps even millions of such outings all done in the face of shaming, expulsions, jail and even the threat of death.

It will not come to you by simply asking for it. Indonesian people are not yet ready to accept it. But can they be made to understand this? Yes, they can, anyone can.

It'€™s a matter of honesty, starting with people like Aming.

Danin

First, it is the cowards of our time who are falling all over themselves to bring comfort and aid to homosexuals. Yes, homosexuals are abnormal as there can be no purpose to their sexuality except self-pleasure. Scientific peer-reviewed studies indicate the usual introduction to homosexuality is through an unwanted sexual advance by an older homosexual adult.

A recent British study indicated 43 percent of those homosexuals surveyed suffer from some type of severe mental disorder. A German study conducted by a homosexual psychologist said that fidelity among gays was non-existent. In fact, study after study indicates that gays will have massive problems during their lifetime brought on by the gay lifestyle they live.

What was known about marriage until recent times was that marriage was between a man and a woman only! It has been that way since the beginning of marriage for thousands of years. Why was marriage one of the most important institutions in men'€™s and women'€™s lives? Because it was the fundamental foundation for the establishment of the family and the family ensured children would be taken care of properly. This was critical to the survival of the community as families guaranteed a continuous resupply of people to form the coming generations.

Fidelity was important to men because before DNA was known there was no scientifically acceptable way to determine biological relations with almost 100-percent accuracy. Women valued fidelity because it ensured that their man would stick around while the children grew up and they hoped he wouldn'€™t be tempted by other women.

Religions and communities developed social laws, and about 1,000 years ago a Catholic saint named Catherine of Sienna spoke of the evil of homosexuality. Please take the time to Google this information and open your eyes.

Dick Tracy

What are your '€œscientific sources'€? I would agree that gays are at a higher risk of mental disorders than the straight population. This is because of discrimination and intolerance from people.

Praytopesci
 

I personally believe '€œbeing gay'€ or '€œbeing a homosexual'€ is a false notion in the first place. I used to think I was gay but not anymore. Jesus has set me free from this lie.

I wrote a book about how Jesus set me free from this particular sexual sin, which you can download for free at notthesamelove.com.

Sihol Gianito Situmorang

I went to a school whose patron saint was St. Catherine of Siena. A number of the nuns were exceptionally beautiful people, and I can assure you that their greatest wish for you in life would be that you are happy, kind, contemplative, and have the wisdom and courage to challenge the ways of the world when need be.
I fear someone may interpret St. Catherine'€™s words without any contextualization.

Kate