We all know that people across the world face terrible persecution across the world for their political beliefs, their religious stand or just because they are the wrong colour or ethnic background.
I wanted to highlight something specific.
In over 80 countires worldwide, homosexuality is still illegal. Some people are fined money they can ill afford because they are being themselves. And most of the time - we are not talking about just a slap on the wrist from some officer and a fine. People are dying, just because they love someone of their own sex. And where is the outpowering of horror? Gay rights are often ignored because of the political agenda held in most countries. Oil, business', religious fundementalism and votes are at risk - and no governments going to stand up to some country that is going to mean putting a person, especially a (shock horror) GAY person before oil - are they?
In bangladesh, singapore, Nepal and the Maldives a person can gain life imprisonment for being gay and homosexualisty, and in bagladesh it is held equal to _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _(can't mention an unmentionable on collarme but if you can play hangman - you can guess).
On the Fiji Islands you can be given 14 years for living as a homosexual couple, and be described as doing ''something so disgusting it would make a decent person vomit''.
In Pakistan - death by stoning.
In India - men are arrested for - handing out safe gay sex leaflets.
The middle east is infamous for its anti gay oppression.
A few years ago, 5 men were convicted of homosexuality in Afghanistan and sentaced to death - by having a stone wall collapsed upon them.
This year, over 100 men were imprisoned and sentanced to flogging.
In the United Arab Emirates and Iran, punishment is death. In the UK this year, a young Iranian commited suicde, rather than return home to imprisonment, after his request for asylum had been refused - despite the fact he had already been in jail their, flogged, beaten, scarred and persecuted.
In Cameroon, 15 gay men and two lesbian women are waiting trial after they were arrested in a gay club, which is legal.
Outlawed in 2001 in Nambia because its 'too white and not a part of black culture'(President Sam Nujoma)
Nigeria - death by stoning.
In Cuba - dont wear pink - in fact dont wear anything that could be considered as effeminate - sarongs - nope - a kilt would be pushing it. Its illegal to wear any clothing that may percieve you to be gay.
Gay sex will get you 10 years in Jamacia, Trinidad and Tobago.
Homosexuality was criminalized in Nicaragua in 1992.
In Egypt - it isnt illegal, but homosexuals can be prosecuted for 'offenses against public morality'. Tony Blair had his holiday in Egypt at the same time while the autorities were rounding up homosexuals for punishment.
And in the USA - gay sex is still illegal in Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri (although it is made more impossible for conviction following a US supreme court ruling)
However, George W Bush supported the states anti gay laws in Texas when governer, stating that such laws were a ''symbolic gesture of traditonal values'' He blocked legislation which would have assisted homosexual against hate crimes and as president hes supported banning same sex marriages.
Thats not even going through the discriminating employment laws.
So next time you pick a destination for that romantic holiday - just remember that there are people dying for Love.
Peace and Love
