Lesbian Love
Belize Times,
October 17, 1999
No 3 Queen Street, P.O. Box 506, Belize City, Belize
FAX: 45757/31940
By Dickie Bradley
The British are very tolerant of homosexuals. So from a lesbian point of view it would
be expected that Belizeans as former British subjects would pick-up the habits and
attitudes of their former masters.
In Britain, homosexuals do not have to worry about the law, since this lifestyle is
quite legal. In Belize homosexuality is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment.
The only thing worse than imprisonment is the social stigma and ugly names that follow
homos wherever they go.
The attitude against homosexuals is well known and the big event that marked the
arrival of the "Leeward" ship to Belize is still recent enough.
By contrast Belizeans seem to be more tolerant of lesbians. A man who will loudly
condemn a homo, suddenly becomes soft spoken and understanding on the subject of lesbians.
Women are the interesting study on this subject. Some outright condemn, but most seem
understanding or are not prepared to be as hard-line as men are against homosexuals.
But most men take a different view, very few are hard-line and a number that have no
problem with females who are of a different sexual orientation.
Before we proceed let it stated that the Bible condemns these practices outright, or
should I say it definitely condemns homosexuality only. Leviticus chapter 20 verse 13
states, "If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have
committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon
them." I stand corrected on whether there is a similar passage in the Holy Book
concerning lesbians and though I recall how Moses wrote many laws on a wide variety of
matters, I am unable to recall his view on lesbians.
Maybe this is another reason for the sympathetic view many Belizeans have on lesbians.
Homos are condemned left, right and center, but not lesbians. Lesbians are such a
curiosity that quite a number of men are attracted to them.
Some of Belize's well known and not so well known lesbians rate high on any list of
sexually attractive women. This article would be much more interesting if we could call
names but we can't be like the irresponsible UDP news-sheet, and in fairness it is
absolutely unfair to be printing the names of lesbians in our society given the prejudice
that exists. And given the laws of libel that would be invoked in some instances.
Which reminds me, only two weeks ago the word was circulating in gang quarters that a
house off Fabers Road which has become a well known dance spot and meeting area for homos,
was going to receive gun shots because they too facey with their faggotry. Some well known
personalities in Belize whom it turns out are homos are regular visitors to this house. A
white cement house according to two neighbors who came to expose the affairs via the call
in radio show.
By contrast a house in the Kings Park area where lesbians are said to gather on a
regular basis is of no concern to anybody. Or could it be that lesbians are a bit more
discreet? In fact many men would want to receive an invitation to the Kings Park
gathering. Some men will tell your that lesbian lovers are the best. They are patient,
understanding etc. These same men will tell you that homosexuality is nasty and dem big
bat... man wahn somebody fi lash dem out.
The deeper the issue is prejudice. And if we can take our cue from party politics in
Belize, we will have a clearer picture of the matter.
Party politics in Belize borders on stupidity in many areas. People will dislike you
for no reason (so you can ignore how intense is the dislike when they think they have a
reason). A lot of party politics in Belize is about personalities because it is difficult
for our politicians to deal with issues. Because I support the PUP I will no doubt take
the view that we try very hard to deal with and discuss the issues, while the other side
dabbles in pettiness and people's personal lives.
In party politics the very persons who are in government are guilty of something, for
example- victimization (retrenching 800 civil servants, incompetence (impotent on crime),
waste ($50 million Central Bank), corruption (the immigration scandal)- will be the same
persons who in opposition will be pointing fingers and accusing others of the same things
they are guilty of. In the New Testament Jesus refers to such persons as hypocrites.
Not that what Jesus said is going to change anyone, although it should. Those trapped
in their prejudice will make no effort to climb out of it. Homosexuals will continue to be
mocked and scorned. But lesbians, well, they seem a bit different. Let's just say it is
lesbian love.
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