LGBT ideology

"LGBT ideology", "gay ideology"[1] and "gender ideology",[2] are anti-feminist and/or anti-LGBT phrases used by opponents of LGBT rights.[3][4]

Definition

Underlying the evolution of the pejorative, 'LGBT Ideology', is an ongoing disagreement over whether being homosexual (lesbian/gay), bisexual or transgender is an act of volition, or is an innate, and therefore involuntary orientation discovered by LGBT individuals as they mature. A 2017 YouGov survey of Britons found that 1/3 of Britons believed sexual orientation to be a chosen attribute, rather than a characteristic bestowed by Nature.[5] Political and religious factions such as the American Family Association and the Family Research Council, who consider being homosexual, bisexual or transgender to be a personal choice, and thus a 'perversion', argue that the acronym 'LGBT' is therefore ideological and normative. Organisations such as NARTH and the now defunct Exodus International have offered a disputed 'reparative therapy' to convert homosexuals into heterosexuals. While some LGBT individuals have themselves reported a change in their sexual orientation at some point in their life,[6] and others declared this to be a choice they made,[7] a sizeable majority of LGBT individuals believe themselves to have been 'born gay'.[8] Supporting this view of immutability, Lady Gaga evangelised the self-empowerment of protected class racial and sexual minorities in her 2011 hit release, Born This Way. In his paper, Homosexuality, Biology, and Ideology, researcher Günter Haumann argues that "Biological knowledge of homosexuality obtains its legitimacy from science and its relevance from political ideology."[9]

History

In 2018 Graeme Reid of Human Rights Watch wrote that the term "gender ideology" was introduced by the Holy See "decades ago" in reference to an alleged movement aimed at the subversion of traditional families and traditional social values led by gay and feminist activists.[3] It points to a longstanding conflict between Religion and LGBT people, in particular the Roman Catholic Church and other Christian orthodoxies, although there are many other religious views, including those of LGBT-affirming religious groups.

During a sermon on August 1, 2019, Archbishop Marek Jędraszewski called "LGBT ideology" a "rainbow plague" and compared it to the "Red Plague" of Communism.[10][11]

In June 2020, Polish president Andrzej Duda drew attention when he called LGBT an "ideology" and a form of "Neo-Bolshevism".[12][13]

According to Stanley Bill, a lecturer at Cambridge University who studies Poland, "Scaremongering about ‘LGBT ideology’ has almost become official policy in Poland with often nasty insinuations from members of the government and public media now the norm".[14]

In July 2020, the European Union announced it will not provide funding to six Polish towns that have declared themselves 'LGBT-free zones',[15] after nearly 100 local governments, a third of Poland’s territory, declared themselves “free from LGBT ideology,” leading ILGA-Europe to declare Poland "the most homophobic country in the European Union."[16]

Criticism of the phrase

A 2016 study found evidence that some "sexually prejudiced laypersons" view homosexuality and "pro-gay ideology" as pathogens.[17]

According to Krakow Post, a Polish newspaper, "LGBT is not an ideology... The phrase 'LGBT ideology' makes about as much sense as 'redhead ideology' or 'left-handed ideology.'" So while many LGBT people and their allies support increased LGBT rights, they have differing political views,[12] spanning from Anarchism and Radicalism to Nationalism, Conservatism, Socialism, Feminism and Capitalism.

Support

Monika Białkowska of the Polish weekly Przewodnik Katolicki writes: "Firstly, being homosexual is not an ideology. Secondly 'LGBT ideology' exists. Thirdly one can support the social changes proposed by the LGBT movement and not be homosexual. Fourthly, one might be homosexual and not profess the 'LGBT ideology'".[18]

Patryk Jaki defends the stance about the existence of the LGBT ideology by citing the words of Pope John Paul II: "There are other serious violations of God's law. I am thinking, for example, of the strong pressure from the European Parliament that homosexual unions should be recognized as another form of the family, which would also have the right to adopt. One can, and even need to, ask if there is also no other evil ideology at work here, deeper and hidden in a sense, even trying to use human rights against man and the family."[19] During the 2020 presidential campaign Polish president Andrzej Duda also cited these words.[20]

See also

References
  1. Santora, Marc (July 27, 2020). "Poland Considers Leaving Treaty on Domestic Violence, Spurring Outcry". The New York Times. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  2. Corrêa, Sonia (11 December 2017). "Gender Ideology: tracking its origins and meanings in current gender politics". Engenderings. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  3. Reid, Graeme (10 December 2018). "Breaking the Buzzword: Fighting the "Gender Ideology" Myth". Human Rights Watch. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  4. Kane, Gillian (30 March 2018). "'Gender ideology': big, bogus and coming to a fear campaign near you". the Guardian. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  5. Smith, Matthew. (22 February 2017). 'Nearly one in three Brits still think being gay is a choice'. YouGov.
  6. Wallis, Lucy. (17 April 2012). 'The stroke had turned me gay'. BBC. United Kingdom.
  7. Ambrosino, Brandon. (28 June 2016). ‘I am gay – but I wasn’t born this way’. BBC
  8. Malory, Marcia. (October 19 2012). 'Is Homosexuality a Choice?' Scientific American.
  9. Haumann, Dr Günter. (1995). 'Homosexuality, Biology, and Ideology', Journal of Homosexuality, 28:1-2, 57-78, DOI: 10.1300/J082v28n01_04. Taylor & Francis
  10. Scally, Derek (August 2, 2019). "Polish archbishop compares LGBTI community to 'red plague'". The Irish Times. Retrieved August 2, 2019.
  11. "Arcybiskup mówił o "tęczowej zarazie". Powstańcy oburzeni". TVN Warszawa (in Polish). TVN. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  12. Hoffman, Steven (20 June 2020). "What is 'LGBT ideology,' and why are Polish people talking about it?". The Krakow Post. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  13. Dellanna, Alessio (15 June 2020). "LGBT campaigners denounce President Duda's comments on "communism"". euronews. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  14. "Police fire tear gas and arrest dozens of far-right protesters attempting to disrupt LGBT+ march". The Independent. 28 September 2019. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  15. Pronczuk, Monika. (30 July 2020). 'Polish Towns That Declared Themselves ‘L.G.B.T. Free’ Are Denied E.U. Funds'. New York Times. Brussels
  16. Country Ranking. ILGA-Europe.
  17. Filip-Crawford, Gabrielle; Neuberg, Steven L. (November 2016). "Homosexuality and Pro-Gay Ideology as Pathogens? Implications of a Disease-Spread Lay Model for Understanding Anti-Gay Behaviors". Personality and Social Psychology Review. 20 (4): 332–364. doi:10.1177/1088868315601613.
  18. "„Dlaczego jako gej nie mogę mieć własnego zdania?" Spór o ideologię LGBT". www.tvp.info (in Polish). Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  19. Patryk Jaki. "Czy ideologia LGBT istnieje? "Skoro nie ma takiej ideologii, to czego uczą na całym świecie katedry gender?"". Retrieved August 6, 2020.
  20. "Duda odpowiada na "ideologicznie motywowane ataki" cytatem z Jana Pawła II". www.gazetaprawna.pl. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
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