Year 2000 to 2009: Bahá'í LGBTs on the Internet,
seeking for full acceptance
Sponsored link.
The conflicts between the Baha'i faith and LGBTs (lesbians, gays, bisexuals,
transgender persons and transsexuals) are unlikely to go away anytime soon.
In reading some of their sites, one is struck by the level of anxiety and
fear experienced by LGBTs in this faith. That is a real pity, because the Baha'i
faith should liberate people from fear and make their lives whole, not trap them
in a closet and make them pretend to be what they are not.
Gay/Baha'i Website:
The webmaster of the Gay Bahai website is not a member of the Baha'i Faith,
but is in a relationship with a member. He founded his website on 2000-MAR-19.
He describes it as:
"The only Gay Baha'i web site. Here Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and transgender Baha'is can chat and know that they are not alone." 1
He writes about his partner:
"My boyfriend has felt alone and in constant fear that someone might find
out and his life would be destroyed. It is sad, Jews, Muslims, Christians and
many other faiths have several gay organizations making the gay community
visible and accepted (though not always). It is time for Baha'is to have this
sense of 'Not being alone' that I am sure most of you out there have
experienced. You are not alone, I know of at least four other Gay Baha'is and
I guarantee that there are many others." 2
Petition to end discrimination:
Amanda Respess has created a petition titled: "Speak Up Against Baha'i
Discrimination Against Homosex" [sic]. She writes:
"The Baha'i Faith, a world religion
that espouses many beautiful, forward thinking ideas, also unfortunately
overtly condemns homosexuality and
teaches that it is a spiritual 'handicap.'
Gay Baha'is face the loss of their Baha'i
administrative rights if they are open and honest about their sexual
orientation and lifestyle."
"Recently, the Baha'i community of Uganda participated in an interfaith effort
to deport an American journalist for covering a
LGBTI human rights event called, 'Let Us Live in Peace.'
The Baha'is of Uganda also advocated the arrest
of all LGBTI individuals in Uganda for their 'immorality'. ..."3
"Baha'is who disagree with this blatant discrimination face administrative and
spiritual 'sanctions' from their religious authorities."
"It is time to speak up." 4
5
Mavaddat's videos on You Tube:
"Mavaddat" has posted a series of videos on You Tube on the topic of the
Baha'i faith's discrimination against lesbians and gays. You can find them on
You Tube by searching for "Bahai Faith
Discriminates on Homosexuals." 6
Gay/LesbianBaha'i Story Project:
The purpose of the story project at http://www.gaybahai.net is: "To tell, listen to, and reflect upon stories of Gay/Lesbian Baha'is and their supportive friends/family."
Their goals are to celebrate Gay/LesbianBahai's, to educate the entire Baha'i community, and to create dialogue toward love and reconciliation, eradication of prejudice, and justice for all. They post personal essays, generally written by lesbian or gay Baha'is or ex-Bahai's.
