'Sodomy Laws' Rooted In British Colonialism

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 22 (IPS) - Although 66 countries signed a statement at the United Nations on Dec. 19 affirming that human rights protections extend to sexual orientation and gender identity, activists note that dozens of nations still criminalise homosexuality and seven impose the death penalty.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch says that the oppressive legacy of British colonialism is at the heart of many of these laws that penalise consensual sexual activity among adults of the same sex.

Read the whole story here.

Comments

[Bitsko]

As an Irish-American I believe all ills stem from the British, colonial or otherwise.

[KarateKid]

India/Pakistan and Palestine, to name two.

[DontSpin]

Get in on the discussion about abortion: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-sedaei/on-abortion-pro-choice-is_b_152744.html.

[harriettubman]

Whatever two consenting adults do should not warrant their death. How antiquated is this?

[islandchris]

I suppose the US laws against sodomy derive from British Colonialism as well?

I think the article misses the point entirely by trying to attach responsibility for such laws on external parties. Every independent nation is free to repeal outdated laws. That they have not done so is a result of contemporary societal problems. Consider the infamous Texas anti-sodomy law that was only struck down by the Supreme Court in 2003. Remember all those Republican politicians arguing IN FAVOR OF KEEPING THE LAW!

If you want a better correlation between nations with such laws look at their RELIGIOSITY. In a 2007 PEW survey of global attitudes (http://pewglobal.org/reports/pdf/258.pdf), 57% of Americans said you needed to believe in God to be moral. On average only 20-30% of Canadians and Europeans had the same attitude, whereas 70-90% of Africans surveyed required God for morality. 'Nuff said.

[messy]

ALL things are derived from British Colonialism.

[Denmark2]

The sculptures of Khajuraho in India (9th or 10th century) have quite a bit of explicit homosexual acts carved in stone for all to see. Early versions of the Kama Sutra was written in 2 or 300 BC. Other texts of India go back to 1500 BC and sex in general was cosidered a divine act with early mythologies describing gods "having fun".
So much for Victorian puritanism and hypocrisy. The "original sin" problem is still around in the US today!

[MissingAmerica]

It's sad that there is such ignorance and hatred in a supposed age of enlightenment. Hopefully, intelligence will eventually win the day!

[NoSillyName]

"Supposed age of enlightenment"? I beg to differ.

[messy]

why? It hasn't yet after 30,000 years.

[Tatiana]

How can they prove homosexuality? Unless it's out in the open or they get caught by someone who rats them out.
Isn't what happens in the bedroom, stays in the bedroom.
Using the Vegas marketing slogan.

[harriettubman]

Because you have some like the ones in this country who want to out others or come out themselves. Why I don't know.

[markinaz]

Ironic, considering the British navy which went out to conquer the world was a hotbed of buggery.