Ongoing Battle Of Equality

Equality.

It seems to be a buzz word nowadays, with little real impact. Buzz words are like cliches. Cliches, clever turns of phrase, which have been used so often, they lose any impact they may once have had.

Like-wise, everyone and their neighbour, when the situation presents itself, demand and campaign for equality.

In our apparently civilised, western world, we believe we are safe. We believe that our rights are safe. We believe that there are laws and policies in place to ensure we can live our lives freely. But, it is an illusion.

Every member of society deserves to be treated equally. We all deserve the same opportunities. The same treatment.

People have fought for their civil and inalienable human rights for centuries, in one form or another.

In 1893 New Zealand became the first country to give women the legal right to vote. The UK waited til 1928 before granting women the same right. Bahrain only granted this right to women in 2001.

Most people would state the 60's American Civil Rights movement to be one of the greatest examples of people fighting for their freedom to be respected, as public and private citizens. Black people made a stand.

Rosa Parks will forever be a hero and icon, because she believed in her right to an equal life so fervently, that she would not accept being a second class citizen.

Now, in 2010, gay people are still not seen as equal.

There have been many steps in the right direction, some big, some not so big.

All over the world, homosexuality has been socially and politically controversial for centuries. Depending on where in the world and when in history, gay people would be sentenced to prison or executed. Many countries have legalised homosexuality. But many have not.

The Yellow Emperor, the first ruler of China, reigned between 2697 BC and 2597 BC, approximately. He was known to take a male bedmate, which was referred to as "the way of the cut sleeve". It seems ironic then, that only a few days ago, the first Chinese Gay Pageant was cancelled by police.

Homosexuality and homosexual acts have always been a part of the human experience. I won't provide a list of who, when and what, because it would be pointless. You can do your own research if you need any sort of "proof" or validation. I simply want to highlight that, in spite of what certain individuals would have you believe, being gay is normal. It is as normal as being straight.

Currently, in America, the battle for equality wages on, with Proposition 8 being high profile.
One word sums up this fight. Marriage. Marriage is, at the moment, a term given to the official union of a man and a woman. Prop 8, or the California Marriage Protection Act (protected from what?) is defined -

"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

Same sex couples cannot use this word to describe their relationship, regardless of how enduring, loving and comitted their relationship is. Civil unions are an alternative allowed to gay couples, in some areas of America, but they are not allowed the same rights or acknowledgement as would be afforded to those who are married. For example, a person who co-parents a child with their partner, would have no legal recognition of being a parent, without any biological link. They could not refer to their step children as step children. They would have no rights to custody if their partner died. How awful!

There are those people who would distress and scar people, and children, through their own fear and insecurity.

Not being able to use the word "marriage" to describe the same sort of relationship, regardless of the genders involved, is discrimination. Clear and simple. Yet there are those who would say there is no issue of discrimination.

I am in Australia. It is difficult at times to keep up with the events of another country. However, I will keep an eye on the developments over Prop 8, as these events will have a ripple effect throughout the world, for gay people, and all people.

If rights can be taken away from people in America, where they have a constitutional right to freedom and equality, then we should all be afraid.