Help stop gay people being tortured & killed in Iraq

[BlueStar]

Human Rights Watch has reported a campaign by Shiite extremists and Iraqi militia of torture and murder against anyone suspected of being gay (or simply 'not masculine' enough). Hundreds have already been killed and tortured in the most grotesque ways imaginable. I will spare the details, as the report made for distressing reading.

It is believed that certain members of Iraq's security forces have been working with the militias, "colluding" to spread fear about the "feminisation" of Iraqi society and promoting only one remedy: eradicating homosexuality.

The Human Rights Watch report, entitled They Want Us Exterminated, categorises much of the violence being perpetrated against homosexuals in Iraq as being part of the gender-based violence that is found throughout the country but is usually reserved for penalising women based on so called "honorable motives". The report establishes a link between violence against gays and the perception of "unmanly" men in Iraq, which is seen as a key feature of Westernisation thought to have been brought to the country by occupying forces.

Essentially, the claim that homosexuality appears to indicate a man lacking masculinity is the main focus of these attacks; not the victim's actual or perceived sexuality in and of itself. If this is true, the apparent hatred against homosexuals runs deeper than mere disapproval, but speaks to the very foundations of Iraqi society, exposing the strict gender norms that are enforced in the country and ties to the Women's Rights situation in the country also.

The report vociferously condemns the lack of action from Iraq's authorities, and compels the United Nations to co-ordinate with Iraq's government to create "rapid resettlement" plans for endangered Iraqis.

Please Sign this petition urging President Obama to apply pressure on the Iraqi government over the human rights violations Iraq's gay citizens face.

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Done.
This brought me to tears, from both my heart and eyes.
As I had written in signing the petition, situations such as this leave me wondering where is the 'Humanity'?
Rory, when I've written of 'darkness' it is often situations such as this that I am referrring to. These situation are a 'darkness' upon our species, and the earth. If we have no respect for human life, how can there be respect for any Life anywhere?
Anyone who may read this, I am gay and have AIDS. Do you believe I should be tortured and killed???
If not than PLEASE sign this petition.
Do you feel you are Human???
If so than PLEASE sign this petition.

It All truly makes me wonder...
Thank you very much Rory.
[As I wipe the tears from my face.]

[Lion Spirit Walker]

This world is so very unreal.
When existance of a species is in direct contradiction to LIFE itself, the Universe often resolves the contradiction through extinction.
...Ignore my words. But remember there is a Universal Justice...

[Kiran]

Signed and sent my friends. No-one has the right to dictate to another how they live!

Love you both very much!!

[BlueStar]

Thanks for signing guys. Yes, Michael I was very upset when I came across this and happened to read some of the details. I was distraught and horrified at the new and grotesque ways people are coming up with to hurt and kill other people. As someone who goes out of my way to avoid killing flies even, it's just more than my mind can handle. Sadly this petition is a long way short of its target. Maybe because Iraq is a remote place, maybe because people see the word 'gay' and their own conscious or unconscious prejudices take hold, maybe it's not as glamourous as other campaigns.

I stand by my assertion that dehumanisation is the biggest evil in this world - slap a label on someone and you no longer see a human being, a sacred spark of the one Divine consciousness; all you see is a distorted image and story created in your mind. It's an insane way to relate to others and the world.

But, awareness is rising. Turn back the clock only a few years and the majority wouldn't have batted an eyelid about such things. Now the tide is turning and more people are becoming aware. It's slow, as with any evolutionary process. But it is happening - this board is proof enough of that and our all being here.

[Rana]

if i start i wont stop because as we all know the hate crimes against humanity by humans past and present is enough to make us more insane than those who create it .
i will sign this without a whim ..

[planetlove]

Forgive them for they know not what they do or say !!!!!!!!!!
V

[Kiran]

Forgive them for they know not what they do or say !!!!!!!!!!
V

And then some of them know exactly what they do!! But I do feel what you are saying honey

[Lotus Flower]

Have signed it.

bless be

[Kiran]

Have signed it.

bless be

Welcome home honey...good to see you here again
HUGS

[BlueStar]

Thanks for signing guys

[Lion Spirit Walker]

It is not up to any of us to forgive those who act with such careless destruction and disregard toward Life...

[Logio]

Sorry folks, truth hurts but...just because Obama is a Dem, do not think he is going to concern himself with this particular human rights issue...not even Hillary would involve herself, because she would know of its futility; one would have to irradicate that religion and gain control of that state before that is even attempted.

Nathan

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Pardon me for debating this here.
I do not believe that what is required is the irradication of a religion and/or the control of any country. In actuallity, I believe what you are referring to is very much what occurred to Tibet. And I am STRONGLY opposed to such actions, by anyone. It is Never the right answer.
What is being done here is allowing Our Voices to be heard. No one should be silenced.
p.s., did you sign the petition???

[Logio]

Pardon me for debating this here.
I do not believe that what is required is the irradication of a religion and/or the control of any country. In actuallity, I believe what you are referring to is very much what occurred to Tibet. And I am STRONGLY opposed to such actions, by anyone. It is Never the right answer.
What is being done here is allowing Our Voices to be heard. No one should be silenced.
p.s., did you sign the petition???

Take the gun away from a murderer and you still have the murderer.
I do not advocate the eradication of peaceful religions or states - only the dismantling of the ones that kill in the name of their religion, or states for their virulent ideology. This is the antithesis of what the Chinese government has done in relationship to Tibet. My blessings are for Tibet.

[Lion Spirit Walker]

Nathan, you are a friend to me. Please have no doubt of this.

In the statement you made above, you've in effect brought down ALL states and All theologies and ideologies.
And I noticed you hadn't answered with regard to whether or not you had signed the petition.

[Logio]

Nathan, you are a friend to me. Please have no doubt of this.

In the statement you made above, you've in effect brought down ALL states and All theologies and ideologies.
And I noticed you hadn't answered with regard to whether or not you had signed the petition.

Absolutely untrue. Each sect has its own theology. And to say that the line of reasoning: that some states are like all states....is logically invalid and therefore not good reasoning.

I have not signed the petition, not that I don't agree with it, but I deem it to be ineffectual, because it does not equate with the nature of the Obama administration.

[Lion Spirit Walker]

The only time that we are ineffective is when we do not try.

With regard to the issue of muderous states, theologies, and ideologies.
Name One Person (let alone state, etc.) Who Has Not Cotributed To The Destruction Of Life Upon This Planet Earth. Name just one.
As you stated, taking a gun from a murderer doesn't change their murderous intent.
How do you like knowing You are a murderer???

[Logio]

The only time that we are ineffective is when we do not try.

This a good ideal, but not necessarily true.

With regard to the issue of muderous states, theologies, and ideologies.
Name One Person (let alone state, etc.) Who Has Not Cotributed To The Destruction Of Life Upon This Planet Earth. Name just one.

This is a very philosophical statement...you might be referring to Ghandi eating a harmless plant.

As you stated, taking a gun from a murderer doesn't change their murderous intent.
How do you like knowing You are a murderer???

hmmmm...I don't quite understand this statement...but...
If you are referring to me being a murder indirectly by my not signing the petition, I don't agree.
If you are referring to those who kill because of their ideologies then it must be stated clearly, that some don't consider religious execution murder.

I don't think you should let my personal opinion get you upset; there are plenty of people who will agree with you.

Respectfully,

Nathan

[Lion Spirit Walker]

I honestly could not care less what anyone thinks of me.
The fact is that Anyone alive upon this planet at this point in time is a contributing factor to the destruction of All Life upon the Earth, without exception. And if no one acts to change the 'system', the system continues it's prosession to complete destruction.
These are facts.
You have a good heart. Don't allow yourSelf to be confused by delusions.