When the United States made same-sex marriage a constitutional right, I celebrated alongside thousands in the global community by changing my Facebook profile to the colours of the rainbow.
In four landmark rulings between the years 1996 and 2015, the US Supreme Court invalidated a state law banning protected class recognition based upon homosexuality, struck down sodomy laws nationwide, struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, and made same-sex marriage and adoption legal nationwide.
Following the latest landmark ruling on 26 June, Facebook’s newly created rainbow profile quickly went viral. It’s been an opportunity to both celebrate the end to discriminatory laws against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, as well as make people aware that there there are still 79 countries which have anti-homosexuality laws.
Supporting the LGBT community
Criminalization of homosexuality and HIV transmission fuels stigma, discrimination, and violence against LGBT people.
When I saw the link that would convert my profile picture into rainbow colours, I thought it was interesting that I could support ‘pride’ with the American LGBT community. It is a great way to express that; yes we are here from Bangladesh to support this historic movement.
But it hurts when some people comment, and send inbox messages and phone calls saying: “You’re wrong. Change it now’’. The experience was not so good, having to read and listen to hate comments. Also, I’ve realised that it’s common in our society, it’s our regular nature, to protest any change.
Many people in Bangladesh think only those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender can wave the rainbow flag.
But my concern is am I doing something really wrong? If you are against animal killing or cutting down trees, does it mean you are an animal or tree? To support LGBT rights doesn’t means you have to be from that community.
The fight for equality
It should take no compromise to give people their rights and ability to live a happy life. It should take no money to respect individuals and their sexuality. And it should take no political deal to give people freedom and think about their dreams.
The victory of legalising same-sex marriage in the US should be shared by the entire LGBT community of the world. But the fight for equality, for the dignity of LGBT people to live their lives freely is far from over. The key issue here is that the Supreme Court’s decision couldn’t have happened without the support of straight people.
People are now choosing to love and accept LGBT people in their everyday lives. For those that have previously known hatred, been rejected and discriminated against by their friends, family and community just for being themselves, this is life changing. The world is changing rapidly and the thinking of people is also changing. But until we are all free to wave the rainbow flag, until we are all free in every country around the world to marry whom we choose no matter what our sexual orientation, then there is still much to fight for.
Learn about life for a sex worker and watch Nicole’s story: decriminalise me
