Barack Obama's bold endorsement of gay marriage has been picked threadbare for its motives (savvy electoral calculation?) and its possible outcomes (political suicide?). But there is no denying that the U.S. President has been on the right side of gay rights for quite a while now. He has backed legislation that upholds the principle that the federal government should give gay and lesbian couples the same rights and legal protection as heterosexual ones. He was instrumental in the repeal of the ‘Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law that barred openly gay and bisexual people from the U.S. armed forces. His presidency, in fact, has been marked by a consistent and muscular support for sexual minorities, reflected in his campaign for equal treatment for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders all over the world. It was only on same sex marriage that he had staked out a somewhat ambivalent position, maintaining his opinions were “evolving”. He was criticised for being indecisive and vacillating; in contrast, Mitt Romney, his Republican rival in the 2012 election, is clear and unequivocal in his opposition to gay marriage and is likely to mount a divisive campaign on this issue.
In strict terms, the step from supporting equal rights for gay couples to endorsing same sex marriage is a small one. The hesitation in taking this stems entirely from the fact that people continue to view marriage as a sacrament, something performed by a religious body and, ipso facto, not a function of the state. Even if same sex marriage becomes law, it is unlikely that the church, which is autonomous in religious matters, will be persuaded to marry gay couples; civil unions may continue to be the only option for them. But there is a real victory for the gay movement here. It lies in having a government on its side, one that is willing to send the signal that it is opposed to any discriminatory policy on the basis of sexual orientation. The President's endorsement comes at a time when there is mounting American opinion in favour of same sex marriage, confirmed by a recent survey that showed 50 per cent in favour of it. At a time when globally, there is growing acceptance that sexual minorities must be accorded equal rights, it is truly shameful that the Indian government is unable to take a firm position on decriminalising homosexuality. Although the Delhi High Court held Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code to be unconstitutional insofar as it criminalised consensual homosexual acts, an indecisive Centre remains in the thrall of moral obscurantists and arch-conservatives who are opposed to the change.
Keywords: gay marriage, US gay rights, Don't Ask Don't Tell law, same sex marriage, Indian Penal Code, Section 377
I am so happy to see this debate happening in India. It's been a long
time coming. My greatest, most precious power is the freedom of expression. It doesn't depend on where we're born, what ideas we possess and what your code of morality is, we all deserve the right to think for ourselves and lead our own lives. But this freedom is also a responsibility: we owe our fellow citizens the same inalienable right to think for themselves and lead their lives the way they want. We would we committing grave injustice to humanity if we begin to pass judgment on other people's personal decisions, be it motivated by culture and biology.
In the same vein, we cannot hold on to the dangerous idea that we're always right, and that our answer is always the ONLY right one. Neither can we attempt to decide how other people should lead their lives: What one chooses to eat, do in their bedrooms, who they love constitute his/her prerogative alone. Please let's do us all a favor and live and let live.
Barack obama's agenda of giving equal status to homosexuals is a guided step ensuring equality to all humans. I personally feel that every individual on this earth has the right to live on his own terms and condition. If we are giving context of our society we must think that where our society has headed, i mean we need a Aamir khan's show to evoke us against female foeticide which was not given this hype by our society. Moreover if opposite sex is a prerequisite of a successful marriage then all these divorce would not be curtailing in our society. All i mean is that, a social reform is needed which may bring an end to exploitation of a living being by another.
Kudos to The Hindu for taking a bold stand on the issue of same-sex marriage. The Hindu is truly ahead of its (The) Times!
Jay Ravi is Wrong. He is just reflecting his ultra conservative thoughts like the extreme right here, in the US. I know this - Things like 'wrong', 'against the institution of marriage' are just mutterings of the far right. Is this then, a issue of 'left vs right'? Not at all - the separation of church & state is something that the constitution guarantees in the US. That the religious fundamentalists in the right believe that it is 'an act against God' that 'homosexuality can be cured' are mutterings that show pure ignorance, hatred and the belief that the US should be a theocratic state, and not a secular democracy. Obama has taken a very bold step - that too in an election year. He might alienate states like Ohio, & North Carolina - & even lose them. That said Obama is a principled politician - he means what he says. To him it is not just about winning the election, but supporting same sex marriages and rights of gay people. It's pure and simple as that.
Mr. Obama did the right thing in endorsing gay marriage. This action
by Obama shows he is truly principled leader. He achieved a lot even
in the face of irrational Republican opposition. Gay marriage issue
is actually a human rights issue. I believe everyone has right to
live with whom they love, regardless of caste, religion, sexual
orientation etc.. I am yet to hear a clear rational explanation why
gay marriage should not be allowed. I do not think this announcement
by Obama will affect his election compaign negatively since many
people already knew he is in support of gay marriage and he is for
gay/lesbian rights. He is a good president and may become a great
president if he is elected again. As a straight guy thinking of moving against caste based arranged marriage, this confirms I am doing the right thing.
I do not expect any firm position from Indian politicians on any issue. They are only looking for votes and they lack principles.
The criticism that President Obama had been 'indecisive and vacillating' on the issue of same-sex marriage is unfair. It was a momentous decision that was going to challenge the time-honoured belief that marriage is a sacrament and should be between a man and a woman. It is just as well that he took his own time to make that decision. Republican candidate Mitt Romney may be 'unequivocal in his opposition to gay marriage.' What else can one expect from a man belonging to a religious cult that accepts polygamy as normal? In spite of opposition from various religious groups, attitude towards homosexuality is rapidly changing all over the world and more and more countries are recognizing same-sex marriage. As such, the Indian government's reluctance "to take a firm position on decriminalizing homosexuality" is really surprising. Why can't it read the writings on the wall and be among the pioneers in this historic revolution? The revolution is irreversible.
Very sad twist and turn in human values and moral code of society; well, marriage is a sacrament between members of opposite sex only; same sex folks can stay together in partnership, IF they have different tendency BUT their union cannot be called marriage - coin a new word, 'unionage' or 'partnage' etc. and give them such privileges as deemed fit; IF we allow such gross violation of our time tested principles, tomorrow, a man may have implanted breasts (only) and call himself a woman or man as per his convenience (vice versa too!) Do you want it? Time better counsel prevails in the society and long cherished system of marriage is NOT abused or misused for other benefits; Govt can attend to other important problems of common man and leave this social problem to be solved by public themselves !
Same sex marriage is anti-nature. It is a perverted thinking which
justifies the same sex marriage. It shows the degradation that has taken
place in our society. God is no fool to create two sexes if one is
enough. The Indian Government has taken a correct decision vis a vis the
same sex marriage. If the Hindu thinks it is progressive, revolutionary
and bold to come out in support of same sex marriage, it is sadly
mistaken.
Hail Obama! At least somebody has the guts to openly say things,
whatever be the reason. Marriage is supposed to be the union of two
souls. How does gender come into picture?
There is nothing despicable in Obama endorsing or Delhi Hight court
finding it legally not wrong(not the subtle difference here and this is
not endorsement). I second with the author but hold that time is not
ripe in India to decriminalize the homosexuality as most of the Indians
have deep rooted antagonism for it.
Hats off again to The Hindu to support civil and legal rights for gays and lesbians.
President Obama´s endorsement of gay marriage and their civil and legal rights come to the right time.
President Obama is a strong defender of minorities and in my point of view it has nothing to do that there will be presidential elections this year in the United States.
He is raising his voice because of his liberal convictions and of course he wants to win the votes of minorities.
It is important to consider the gay movement and their long and peaceful fight for equal rights in the United States.
The history of gay rights, known more commonly as LGBT rights is rife with buzzwords that have emerged into the popular lexicon to describe lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) causes and movements
Many argue that the LGBT rights movement was born out of a gay liberation struggle that emerged more than forty years ago, culminating in the Stonewall riots of 1969 in the United States where LGBT patrons at a New York bar resisted arrest during a police raid. The event gave birth to the gay pride movement, and a host of organizations were started to advance LGBT rights. Many organizations also sprung up in the 1980s and early 1990s in reaction to the HIV/AIDS crisis, which profoundly affected the gay community during that time. As they grew, some organizations placed more of an emphasis on direct action and political resistance, while others borrowed the language of civil rights to portray the LGBT movement as more mainstream. Today, LGBT advocacy groups continue to debate the most effective approaches to outreach, communication, and activism.
Contemporary LGBT rights encompass a wide range of issues. Nearly a dozen countries and several U.S. states have passed legislation granting marriage rights to same-sex couples, while twenty-four nations have integrated their militaries to allow openly gay and lesbian citizens to serve. LGBT citizens have successfully litigated cases in U.S. and international courts to secure the right to adoption, and have worked with governmental and public health groups to expand HIV/AIDS awareness education and treatment. Today, there are a multiplicity of issues and struggles being undertaken by LGBT activists and organizations throughout the world. The capacity of the global LGBT movement has perhaps never been greater, with issues pertaining to sexual orientation and gender identity sure to occupy a foremost position in American and international politics, as well as the broader human rights movement, for years to come.
One should be aware that the LGTB has been fighting peacefully for a long time.
And Obama´s presidency, in fact, in fact, has been marked by a consistent and muscular support for sexual minorities, reflected in his campaign for equal treatment for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders all over the world. He only staked out a somewhat ambivalent position on same sex marriage.
President Obama hesitated for a long time to support gay marriage because of the fact that Americans continue to view marriage as a sacrament, something performed by a religious body and, “ipso facto” not a function of the state.
Currently the gay movement can be seen as winner because it lies in having a government on its side, one that is willing to send the signal that it is opposed to any discriminatory policy on the basis of sexual orientation.
A recent survey showed that 50 percent of Americans are in favour of gay marriage.
President Obama´s support for gays and lesbians and for other minorities will strengthen democracy.
@JayRavi: "NO society anywhere accepts gay marriage", so what?! No society thought the earth went around the sun before it was pointed out by one rational person". All societies have historically oppressed women, so is it wrong to fight for women's rights and equality in workplace? Dalits were abhorred by the indian society for a number of reasons. So, is it justifiable that they not be allowed in temples, public places etc.? The point is just because the society abhors some group of people doesn't justify denying their rights. Gay marriage is all about love. The love of same-sex couples is just as real, strong and committed as that of married heterosexual men and women. Prohibiting same-sex marriage devalues and denigrates the love of lesbian and gay couples. It is certainly dehumanizing. You are so entrenched with bigotry and prejudice you don't even realize that you are being cruel to a minority just based on who they love. Please do introspect.
The recent support for homosexual consensual marriage in USA is a good move in the real applicability of the right to universal equality as envisaged in the Universal Human rights of the United Nations Organisation. The discriminatory action against the homosexual people is not a fair deal. The model law enactment by the USA will initiate such action from other countries of the world. Here we have to take into account the consensual relations and forced relations which may take place in the pseudo-protection under the law. The countries like India will sure take conscious decision and make suitable modification to suit Indian context. The Delhi High Court has already made clear its point for such laws that will ensure protection of interest of homosexuals.
The time has come to take action to ensure that laws are made to
protect the interests of the people not for harassing and embarrassing
the public. Our constitution guarantees the equality of status and it
should be reflected.
I don't know who finds it prophetic & on what specious reasons to proclaim that being gay or lesbian is height of immorality. Its egregious to suggest that one's all constitutional rights and entitlements stand cancelled because one has a particular sexual orientation. Please for God's sake don't swear on the social acceptance and non-acceptance of the gay marriage. Why one talks of this society which has developed a rhino skin on every issues and has many lips to speak variegated dialects, many legs to stand different positions and many masks to put different faces. by the same logic Mr. Balaji has given he must have discretion to understand that marriage is not a union of masculinity and femininity its about association of two human beings complimenting and complementing each other. Marriage is also not only an industry which is here to produce babies. Lets have respect for the conflicting choices of even if its embarrassing for us. One man's hero is others' terrorist. isn't it?
Sir It's quite humanistic and moral to accept our brothers and sisters who born differently with different sexual inclinations as citizens of this country with equal rights. Conservative mindsets and religious prejudices make many to view this issue as ethical. In fact it is a human rights issue rather than moral. Try to understand that there are diversities in human sexuality and there are differently-abled people than you and me, and these groups of minorities have different set of problems to face. Any rational democratic society can't cover-up such issues forever. The argument of religious moralists are in-effect is denying a section of our society their basic human rights to live, as they are differently-abled. It is just stupidity to think that people born with different inclinations are immoral. It is cruel to advise everybody must live as we do or they must suffer all their life in suppression and in social ignominy.
Moral values can't be defined and dictated either the diktats listed by the letters of Indian Penal Code or by the columns of isolated insensitive individuals of "The Hindu"' editorial board.Sorry to note that your editorial has stooped low with it's statement in the last line.
Yes marriage is a personal choice of two individuals,but every person is part of a larger public society which has agreed to a consensual civilized cultural code of conduct.Conservatism is not about dogmatic resistance to change, but caring to preserve the carefully crafted and codified tenets of human cohabitation over centuries.Marriage is not a mere any 1+1=2 combination,it's much more than that.If that's the case then we can add any two things and term it as marriage.
Another seemingly "populist" article -- but come to think of it, NO
society anywhere accepts gay marriage. The Delhi High Court and the
U.S Supreme court can call something legal but it is for the society
at large to accept anything that is "legal". It is the active
marketing of the gay lifestyle that angers the heterosexuals. Fighting
for rights is laudable but it is sheer hypocrisy and wickedness to
hijack a hallowed societal institution such as marriage while opting
for a lifestyle that is abhorred by much of the society for number of
reasons. It is disappointing to see Obama losing his political
astuteness -- even the Blacks are against gay marriage. Coming
elections promise to be interesting.
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