Cultural Snapshot. by Yatin Singla https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t Made with charm en-us 2017-04-20 21:43:45 UTC 2024-10-28 22:58:50 UTC hello@padlet.com Introduction: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167708138 1. Second Interview.

2. Countries that Struggle with Homosexuality.

3. What about their Emotions.

4. Religion

5. More on Religion

6. Human Rights.

7. QPOCA.

8. GIESORC

9. Decriminalization.

10.Definition of Transgender.

11. Audio Clip.

12. Behind the Scenes.

13. Charlie.

14. Rainbow Flag: Symbol and Pride of LGBT Community.

15. More on Rainbow Flag: Symbol and Pride of LGBT Community.
]]> 2017-04-23 20:26:41 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167708138 Audio Clip: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167708145 The person I interviewed wishes to remain anonymous and respecting his wishes I cannot reveal his identity.
The main purpose of this interview was to gather as much insight as possible in a short span of 7 minutes from a person who is against the people who belong to this sub-culture. 
The interview went really well in this term as I was able to gather the person's thoughts and beliefs about the topic, moreover, how he handles the matter in his own day-to-day life. The first question was specifically aimed to collect and comprehend the mindset of a person who's ideas conflict with the action of people belonging to this subculture and to get the flow going. The second question was based on the fact that, according to CNN more than 92% of the people say that the primary source of their information comes from media, so is the media to blame for the formation of beliefs/opinion of the people of America, sub-consciously? The following question was based on the answer I inferred from the previous question. The next two questions reflect the heart and soul of the research conducted for my research paper, that is, how aware people actually are about this sensitive topic. How they feel when they come across instances of hate crimes taking place in the nation. What are their views on the legalization of same-sex marriage? The last question of the interview had to do with how will legalization affect the society and the lives of other people which has been long forever brought up in protests against the legalization of same-sex marriages.]]> 2017-04-23 20:26:51 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167708145 Behind the Scenes: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167710723 A question that I couldn't ask the person during the actual interview was:
How would you react to a situation when you witness an occurrence of hate crime or discrimination taking place right before your eyes against gay people?
The question was purposed to find out how aware the people are and how would they deal with a certain situation irrespective of their beliefs.
Anonyms Interviewee:
If possible, I'd take picture/video of the offenders and I'd cautiously intervene and try to stop them. If it gets a little dangerous I'd back off and be on my way to the police station to fill out a witness statement. If the person being targeted is there I'd talk to them and let them know that if a straight Christian can accept them, then they'll be able to find far more people who will accept them and they can't let the idiocy of the weak minded get to them. In reality, though I'd just have my student government power threaten them and if they get aggressive I'd say I'm a state employee and the university will sue them if they touch me but that's not a practical answer says, anonymous interviewee.
After listening to this answer made me feel like "good" and light of hope in this world still exists as long as people like the interviewee are among us and we all together can put an end to the hate crimes and discrimination against homosexual people for good.]]> 2017-04-23 21:12:01 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167710723 Rainbow Flag: Symbol and Pride of LGBT Community. yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167736106 The rainbow flag is a worldwide symbol of the LGBT community but its birthplace is in San Francisco. Its creation is thanks to a man named Gilbert Baker he moved into San Francisco as a retired army officer in 1970. It was there that he became acquainted with Harvey milk and the gay rights movement. After sewing many banners for gay events and marches the San Francisco gay and lesbian pride parade commissioned him to design a symbol which could be used for years to come. So rainbow flag was what he came up with. 
Gilbert said in an Interview that the rainbow is a beautiful part of nature. All of the colors and even the colors that we can't see are represented by it in an imposing exquisiteness. “That really fits us as a people because we are all of the colors, our sexuality is all of the colors, we are all the genders, races, and ages,” said Gilbert. 
Each color represents something different, Pink for sexuality, red for life, orange for healing, yellow for sunlight, green for nature, turquoise for art, indigo for harmony, and violet for the human spirit. The flag later evolved to have 6 strips. Turquoise was swapped for blue and pink and indigo was taken out. Decades later the flag can still be seen waving proudly from nearly every pride parade and march all around the world.]]> 2017-04-24 03:58:13 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167736106 More on Rainbow Flag: Symbol and Pride of LGBT Community. yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167736186 Up until the rainbow flag in 1978, the pink triangle had functioned as the “kind of symbol” for homosexuality and gay rights but it was designed by Hitler, it was put on them in the same way that they would put on the Jews back in the day. There was a whole code of symbols that were used to oppress Jews, homosexuals, gypsies and many more. So they needed something from their own community. Flags say something, they are not just symbols, they mean something to people. Gilbert Baker thought that the community could have a flag, not like of a nation but something more like of a tribe. In his mind, it didn’t have to shout gay power or LGBT. He thought that they needed something that worked beyond words and so the rainbow flag was developed. It expressed their diversity in terms of gender, race, age and in all the ways they are different.  They took one of the most beautiful, magical, spiritual part of nature and made it as a symbol for their sexuality and human rights.
It had depth, with each color representing kind of element of everyone's life whether it was pink for sex, red for life, orange for healing and so on and so forth.
It is about the idea of the rainbow, all the colors on the spectrum no matter what the colors stand for. What hasn't changed is the thread that runs through every gay life, every LGBT person they all have their moments in their lives where they come out to themselves where all of sudden they are true themselves I'm gay/lesbian and that moment is what connects them to all the generations, all of our differences and that's the thread the rainbow flag is made out of. It is rightly said, “It is that single moment when individual claim their own truth is true power.” ]]> 2017-04-24 03:59:24 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167736186 Religion: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167742066 Religion has a major role to play in this matter. People who are against the legalization of Same-Sex Marriage usually are against it for the sole reason that their religious beliefs do not align with the actions of the people belonging to this community. What they don't realize is that humans are fallible creatures and humans learn from their past mistakes. What was said a century ago is not carved in stone. But, for some reason, people tend to hold on tight to their ideas even if they are clearly immoral. Among many, a couple of religion who are against homosexuality are Christianity and Hinduism. The photo is of god from Hindu Mythology named Lord Ganesha, the god of wisdom. ]]> 2017-04-24 05:48:56 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167742066 Religion: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167743332 What does the Bible say?
The Bible, as God's Word, reveals God's moral character and it shapes the morality of the Christian.  The Bible has much to say about homosexuality: 
1. Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." 
2. Lev.20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their blood guiltiness is upon them.” 
3. 1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals,1 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 
4. Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."
With such clear statements against homosexuality, it is hard for religious followers to imagine people going against the "God's word". Naturally, they turn into protestors and in some cases even resort to violence leading to hate crimes.  

]]> 2017-04-24 06:07:54 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167743332 What about their Emotions? yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748098 It has been proven that a person is not homosexual by choice but is biological born that way. Therefore, I believe that it totally dismisses the opposition's claim of saying that we could revert them. We can make them realize the mistake that they are making. Science has proven that they do not make a conscious decision about their sexuality which renders argument of antagonists that they choose to commit immoral actions futile.
I would like to ask you, the reader, for once try and put yourselves in their shoes and imagine how they feel on a daily basis, being judged on the choices they make, how they dress, talk and what not. Try and put yourselves in their shoes and imagine you being denied to marry the one based on your and their gender identity, how does that feel?
In my opinion letting homosexuals marry doesn't affect anyone's life even if you consider it as a crime. It turns out to be a victimless crime. Marriage, a relationship, provides the emotional support that one needs in their lives. Which is exactly what homosexuals ask for by letting them marry. I mean should they even have to ask us for our permission? We have no right to tell how they should live their lives, as a matter of fact, we don't even have the right to tell them what should they wear let alone telling them what they can and can not.
It’s emotional for those who happen to be gay and who desire to be married.  It’s emotional for those who have friends or loved ones who are gay and want them to be “accepted”- part of that acceptance is having the opportunity to be married.  

Picture Credits: Moksha Singla]]> 2017-04-24 06:49:59 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748098 Decriminalization: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748154 People detained or imprisoned solely because of their homosexuality - including those individuals prosecuted for having sex in circumstances which would not be criminal for heterosexuals, or for their gender identity - are considered to be prisoners of conscience. People around the world face violence and inequality—and sometimes torture, even execution—because of who they love, how they look, or who they are. Sexual orientation and gender identity are integral aspects of our selves and should never lead to discrimination or abuse.]]> 2017-04-24 06:50:39 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748154 QPOCA and GIESORC United as One: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748209 2017-04-24 06:51:09 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748209 Definition of transgender: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748269 In all honesty, I believe that the definition of the word transgender is best given by the card in the photo, "Fearless in the face of discrimination".
Every day we come across hate crimes against people belonging to the LGBTQIA community, irrespective of that they come out with their true identities. They aren't ashamed of who they are or of their identity unlike many other people, which is true courage. It takes lot of guts to do that and we all, people who support them alongside people with who are against them, should support them because we have no right to bring down a person or ridicule him/her based on their actions, gender, race, or identity, that is for our legal system to judge.
]]> 2017-04-24 06:51:39 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748269 Countries that Struggle with Homosexuality: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748335 Image of countries that still struggle with this sensitive topic.
India and Pakistan are two predominantly religious countries where homosexuality is frowned upon. By law, it is banned to be homosexual which makes it extremely difficult for the people belonging to this community. I have never a met a single homosexual person in India for the past 18 years I lived there, the situation is so meek there or you could say that homosexual people are so fortunate not to be born in a country where being homosexual is illegal, which is a highly unlikely. To make the matter worse people have such orthodox mindset that if someone uses his freedom of speech to point something immoral happening in a religion they are hunted down and are murdered or they along with their families have to face serious repercussion.

What about the law and order you ask? It is because of the cops that the matters go out of hands as the cops in India can be bribed so even if something illegal happens in front of their eyes they just turn their heads in the opposite directions.

]]> 2017-04-24 06:52:14 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748335 Human Rights: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748526 The right of adults to enter into consensual marriage is enshrined in international human rights standards.

Article 16, Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during the marriage and at its dissolution.

Civil marriage between individuals of the same-sex is, therefore, an issue in which fundamental human rights are at stake. I believe that the denial of equal civil recognition of same-sex relationships prevents many people from accessing a range of other rights, such as rights to housing and social security, and stigmatizes those relationships in ways that can fuel discrimination and other human rights abuses against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

I oppose discrimination in civil marriage laws on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and calls on states to recognize families of choice, across borders where necessary. States should not discriminate against minority groups based on identity.]]> 2017-04-24 06:53:44 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748526 GIESORC: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748771 GIESORC is one amongst the many groups that provides support to the people of LGBT community. It stands for Gender Identity Expression and Sexual Orientation Resource Center. It believes in promoting education, empowerment, and engagement for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and ally.]]> 2017-04-24 06:55:46 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167748771 GIESORC yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167749231 2017-04-24 06:58:13 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167749231 QPOCA Group: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167749342 QPOCA is WSU club. It stands for Queer People of Color and Allies. They create a safe space for students, staff, faculty and community members to discuss the issues Queer People of Color and not of the Color encounter at WSU in a greater community. As a collective, they strive to educate, support and empower Queer People as well as enlighten their allies about the multiple ways that they can support people belonging to their community. They have their meetings on Wednesday from 7 pm onwards. I had a really great time going to one of their club meetings. The level of support they provide to their members is commendable. It feels good to know that there is someone who genuinely accepts them, tenders them, and gives them a room where they can share their feelings without being judged by the people. Society progresses at much faster pace with existence of such groups. With the help of these groups, I believe that one day we all will be more acceptive of these people.]]> 2017-04-24 06:59:12 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167749342 Charlie: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167749419 Charlie is a homosexual. His pronouns are he, his, and him. I was planning on interviewing Charlie and having his voice as the voice of someone from the community but he didn't wish to come forward. Charlie is wearing an apparel that represents LGBT community and is based on the works of the social activist Keith Haring.]]> 2017-04-24 06:59:53 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167749419 Second Interview: yatinsingla2 https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167765243 The first interview left a few questions unanswered, which is why I conducted a second interview.
The person wishes to remain anonymous. The interview was not conducted face to face but over social media. Below is somewhat of a transcript of telephonic conversation and texts.
The person has strong opinions about the topic and feels highly about it. As he says, he is representing the people who subscribe to Christianity.
The opening question like the first interview was to open up the person to get his authentic opinion.

Question: What is your opinion on the topic of homosexuality? And do you believe that homosexual people often try and make Bible agree with their agenda?
Answer: I stand against homosexuality, and believe that it is wrong. The truth is that God created man and woman, not man and man, or woman and woman.  Nevertheless, the Bible is a powerful book, and because of that the homosexuals often try and make the Bible agree with their agenda.  But it doesn't work.  The Bible does not support homosexuality. Unlike other sins, this sexual sin has a judgment administered by God himself he gives them over to their passions. This means that their hearts are allowed to be hardened by their sins.  As a result, they can no longer see the error of what they are doing.  Without an awareness of their sinfulness, there will be no repentance.  Without repentance, there will be no forgiveness.  Without forgiveness, there is no salvation says the interviewee.

Question: Should homosexuals be allowed to marry?
Answer: "Should a woman be allowed to marry another woman?  Should a man be allowed to marry another man? No, they should not. The Bible, of course, condemns homosexuality.  It takes no leap of logic to discern that homosexual marriage is also condemned." Adding to the conversation the interviewee says, homosexuality is not natural.  Just look at the male and female bodies.  They are obviously designed to the couple.  The natural design is apparent.  It is not natural to couple male with male and female with female.  It would be like trying to fit two screws together or two nuts together and then say, "See, it's natural for them to go together."

Question: How do you deal with Homosexuals in your day-to-day lives?
Answer: "Just because someone is a homosexual does not mean that we cannot love him/her or pray for him/her. Homosexuality is a sin, and like any other sin, it needs to be dealt with in the only way possible.  It needs to be laid at the cross and repented of.
We should pray for the salvation of the homosexual the same way we would for any other person in sin.  We should treat homosexuals with the same dignity as we would anyone else because, like it or not, they are made in the image of God.  However, this does not mean that we should approve of their sin.  Not at all. We should not conform or compromise our opinion for a politically correct opinion that is shaped by guilt and fear. Let the love of Christ flow through you so that the homosexuals can see true love and turn to Christ instead of away from him."]]> 2017-04-24 08:53:01 UTC https://padlet.com/yatinsingla2/l5c3fg47h36t/wish/167765243