Press Release From National G&l Task Force

[santafeross]

April 19, 2005

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

On the Election of Joseph Ratzinger as Pope

"Today, the princes of the Roman Catholic Church elected as Pope a man whose record has been one of unrelenting, venomous hatred for gay people, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. In fact, during the reign of John Paul II, Cardinal Ratzinger was the driving force behind a long string of pronouncements using the term 'evil' to describe gay people, homosexuality, and marriage equality. As a long-time Catholic from a staunchly Catholic family, I know that the history of the church is full of shameful, centuries-long chapters involving vilification, persecution, and violence against others. Someday, the church will apologize to gay people as it has to others it has oppressed in the past. I very much doubt that this day will come during this Pope's reign. In fact, it seems inevitable that this Pope will cause even more pain and give his successors even more for which to seek atonement."

- Matt Foreman

[davethailand]

So?

Whats your point?

[santafeross]

So?

Whats your point?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Good question and the same thought crossed my mind, after I posted this article that a friend emailed me.

I guess what I was hoping to read was the reaction from the expats in Thailand to the current move by organized religions toward outright hatred, discrimination and prejudice directed toward GLBT persons.

In two weeks I will be heading back to the LOS to further explore a place to move to. I currently live in an oasis in the American sea of growing intolerence for persons who don't fit the Christian-right mold.

I also was hoping to hear some reassurance that the acceptance and tollerence I have so far experenced in Thailand is reflective of the entire country and not just the major and tourist cities.

Ross

[bkkmadness]

well the fact they are predominantly Buddhist and very few Catholics and Christians here means it should be ok for a while to come.

[PeaceBlondie]

Agreed: the election of this Cardinal as Pope will not help GLBT rights or causes. He's already 78 and was the prior pope's right hand man, doing about as much damage then as he can do now.

It's not likely, in the foreseeable future, that this denomination will show much love for gays.

[peter991]

Matt: I can understand your concern. Not only is a large part of Thailand's economy dependent on tourism (although some of the time you would not think so), it is also predominantly a Buddhist country.

Thai people seem to have a 'live and let live' philosophy. From my personal experience your sexuality is of no concern to them. They are very tolerant of gay people, even in small remote villages, far removed from what I call TT (Tourist Thailand).

So long as your actions are not 'in your face' passionate embraces with another male, they could not care less. The same goes for male farang and Thai women. Thais are basically shy people and it is rare to see public displays of affection.

I suggest you read through as many posts on ThaiVisa as possible before you arrive here. I hope you enjoy your visit and try to get off the beaten track where possible. Hopefully you will meet a nice Thai guy and visit his village and you will see what I mean.

Peter

[Ijustwannateach]

Well, at least he's old and probably in ill health... And in Thailand his decisions will not affect us so much.

If you hang out closely and regularly with *one* young Thai man, it will be assumed by all who deal with you that the two of you are boyfriends, whether you like it that way or not...

"Steven"

[orchis]

Is there a way to be de-baptised officially?

[jerry921]

As I understand it (I'm not Catholic), Ratzinger's previous job (or position) was sort of chief doctrine defender. So it was his job to oppose all changes in thinking within the church. Someone I know thought that now that he's Pope he might mellow his positions a little. If not the guy is bad news all around -- he's even spoken and written against "ecumenicalism" (establishing ties between the catholic church and other Christian denominations such as Lutherans, Anglicans, Russian Orthodox church etc), let alone ties with Jews, Bhuddists, or (gasp) Muslims. If the Catholics can't even accept other Christians as non-heretics, gays are in the not-until-######-freezes-over category.

A gay Fillipino friend of mine (they're pretty much Catholic by default) once told me half the Catholic priests are gay. Obviously an exageration, but there have been gay Pope's in the past (pederast Popes too). So change is possible, but I would look for the rest of society to drag Catholicism kicking and screaming into the twentieth century before I'd expect them to change their attitude toward gays.

Even the Anglicans, one of the more liberal protestant denominations, are being torn apart by the crowning (or whatever they call it) of an openly gay bishop.

Isn't there a recipie for de-baptism in Huck Finn? Something about dead cats and graveyards? Or was that for curing whooping cough? :-P

Edited April 25, 2005 by jerry921

[bossman]

Matt: I can understand your concern. Not only is a large part of Thailand's economy dependent on tourism (although some of the time you would not think so), it is also predominantly a Buddhist country.

Thai people seem to have a 'live and let live' philosophy. From my personal experience your sexuality is of no concern to them. They are very tolerant of gay people, even in small remote villages, far removed from what I call TT (Tourist Thailand).

So long as your actions are not 'in your face' passionate embraces with another male, they could not care less. The same goes for male farang and Thai women. Thais are basically shy people and it is rare to see public displays of affection.

I suggest you read through as many posts on ThaiVisa as possible before you arrive here. I hope you enjoy your visit and try to get off the beaten track where possible. Hopefully you will meet a nice Thai guy and visit his village and you will see what I mean.

Peter

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I find that this lack of public affection is starting to change. I see many young thais embracing in public places. Maybe still as not as much as in the west but it's not uncommon. I believe gay public affection might be more frowned upon though. The Thais are tolerant but I think in their own ways they frown on any behavior not in the norm. I think some thai girls shy away from public displays with a farang male because they don't want to be seen as a prostitute.