29 June, 2008

Gay folk in Latvia

Today I read about Maris Sants a gay activist in Latvia leaving Latvia because he is tired from the gay rights fight in Latvia. I am not surprised about this but I am disappointed. In fact Mozaika is a very disappointing organisation as its policy is too aggressive and causes people to close off their ears and get defensive.
It is common knowledge that Frontal attacks on society using scantily clad people waving flags will stir an oppossing force very fast. I have heard that Mozaika feels that parades are the way to get a voice in Latvia to make the rights issue a topic of conversation. So instead of us all talking about how smart the gay rights movement is working to bring understanding in Latvia - we are talking about the fight between gays and the church based protesters.
Now Maris Sants is exhaused from the fight the gay movement started and his skills are lost from society. Latvia is a poorer country for not being more accepting but if the Rights Movement ignores the sensitivities of broader society then I am sure that many people in Latvia are happy to ignore the loss of Maris.
What was wrong with planting grass and flowers in the barren areas around our streets and providing a calmer value adding voice for gay folk in Latvia. Why was media content not calmly influenced and 10 or 20 year plan adopted. Too often the impatient people want it to happen today and end up taking much longer to achieve an objective that all of Latvia deserves. When you have occupied a position in society there is responsibility to do it the right way and not just your own way.

No comments: