Is Asia " lagging behind" in accepting homosexuality?

Question

According to a comment on Current.tv, Asia is lagging behind in accepting homosexuality; and wanting to "protect" their image.

Agree or disagree?

Answer 1

Islamic countries (most of which are in Asia) are 'lagging behind' as you say, because it is against their religion. They are a very macho society and homosexuality, while it most certainly exists, will never be out in the open in Islamic countries.

Lorne: Iran is in Asia.

EDIT: The guys giving me thumbs down. If you disagree, maybe you could educate me as to which continent Iran is in. Whether, it's Middle East, Far East or the Indian sub-continent, it's still Asia.

Answer 2

Not in comparison with Iran.

Answer 3

I think I've got to challenge the statement- where is 'Asia'- are we talking Middle East? Far East? Indian Sub-continent?  A lot of different things could be happening, even within any one of these areas.

Secondly, I just don't know. You could write a 16,000 word graduate thesis on your question, and you may still not know for sure when you'd finished. I don't have time to look into it, but broadly speaking, I think society works in spheres and groups, some of which will exclude each other, but some won't mind. Let's say you were talking about traditional Japanese society- there would be an accepted image that nobles may try to conform to, but lower classes wouldn't have time to bother even trying with that, they'd be struggling too hard to survive to bother if Uncle Hiroshi and Uncle Yoshitaka were co-habiting. At the same time, even in the high court, certain things could happen 'behind closed doors' between nobles, as long as the public face was protected, it probably wouldn't matter too much. I need to study more on that obviously, but you get what I'm driving at.

Society and culture is hard to understand, especially if you're looking from the outside- a public acceptence in Western style may hide a lot of private resentment, whilst a public polished image may be a front behind which anything goes.

Let's flip it- can we say the West is really forging ahead? Civil partnerships are a great step for homosexual couples, if you are sacked for homosexuality, you have a legal basis to sue your boss, attitudes seem quite laissez-faire... and we admit AIDS is a problem, and seem to be working on that, some Asian countries don't seem to be doing that. Maybe I shouldn't make a g*y-AIDs link? but maybe it's there...

Here's an anecdote a workmate told me- I asked her about the Notting Hill carnival, and if she'd ever been. She said she didn't really like it, because afterwards g**s went into bars, got drunk, and then beaten up by the locals who hated them for acting so promiscuously in the carnival.

"The majority of Asian is Muslim- need I say more?' Yes, actually, you do have to say more.

Answer 4

You make 'lagging behind' sound like being backward. You might as well ask if Asia was lagging behind in becoming reprobate or stupid. The answer to all would be a resounding 'Yes'.

Answer 5

Not at all. Asia was where the gang bang was created.

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.

Answer 6

I don't know about "wanting to protect their image", but they're definately lagging behind. It's just because of how religious most people are in Asia. A lot more people in the West have more relaxed religious views or just come across homesexuality more and have no choice but to be tolerant.

Answer 7

No one has to "accept" homosexuality. Therefore, Asia cannot be lagging in "accepting" homosexuality.

Answer 8

not all of asia

ever heard of 'lady boys'?

male child prostition is rife.... i'm sure not all of their clients are from overseas....

Answer 9

What image do they have to protect? Can you answer that?  The majority of Asian is Muslim - so - do we have to say more.  There are the same number of g**s - male and female in Asia - poor buggers - as there are in the rest of the world per capita. Just they have to hide their sexuality and live a life of secrecy and fear.

Come on now  - Let's start a campaign - humanise Muslims - and the downtrodden.

Freedom of Asian g**s

Dont you agree out there?

Answer 10

Agree.

Answer 11

I thought they were the first to practice it. Just shows, you can learn a lot on here. Practice may be the wrong word but you know what I am trying to say.

Answer 12

Well, from a historical stand point part of Asia was one of the first safe havens for homosexuals. Feudal Japan was a supporter of homosexuality, influenced by both the Bushido texts and other, more direct works. European travelers, repressed for their love of the same gender all tried to reach and live in Japan, to be accepted.

I do agree, however, the the majority of Asia is indeed lagging behind.