Ruminations on religion
In popular rhetoric, particularly in relation to marriage equality, religion and non-heterosexuality are constructed as antithetical.
This polarising debate, however, obscures the fact that for many people in the LGBTI community, there is an interconnection between their sexuality and their faith.
So how can we begin to reconcile these allegedly conflicting set of ideas?
We have to begin by acknowledging that faith is not necessarily institutional or homogenous. In the recent Uncloseting Discrimination consultation on faith and religion, some participants identified that faith was a shifting set of beliefs, organised within a particular historical and cultural context.
Often we are quick to condemn religion, even ridicule those who have faith, but what is at stake in such a politics?
In recent administrative decisions in NSW, we have seen the expansion of discretionary exemptions for faith-based organisations providing public services. While the scope of religious faith is disparate, differing between denominations, the policy response to this seems keen to broaden exemptions rather than eradicate discrimination.
Currently, anti-discrimination exemptions are automatic, permanent and not broad. Even if freedom of religion could be used to justify exemptions, why do they lack any specific justification, or even transparency?
The answer seems simple: the reputational damage for advertising something to the effect of ‘No gays’ would be disastrous.
More subtly, however, the automatic nature of an exemption sends out a problematic social message that all religions, even if they are not, are effectively homophobic.
What emerges then is a confusing double bind. On one hand it discourages individuals from accessing public goods run by faith-based organisations, such as aged care or foster care, for fear of discrimination.
However, it simultaneously positions all faith-based organisations as anti-gay, even if they are inclusive and welcoming to sex, sexuality and gender diverse people.
Too often the debate on religion seems to collapse into evangelical rhetoric claiming to speak on behalf of a diverse group of people. While not ignoring the trauma and shame that many people endure due to a particular religious dogma, we must also be careful not construct religion as the obstacle to our human rights as sexual and gender minorities.
On the contrary, religion for many in the LGBTI community is a site of freedom — to b[e] who they are. Dialogue and respect must replace fear and dogma.
By SENTHORUN RAJ, NSW GLRL
An excellent article about a situation completely taken for granted in our community. Very interesting and certainly instigated some rather involved personal debate.