Queer State vs. Local Queer Activism

When it comes to it. I don't think it's a question of Queer State vs. Queer Activism. Why does it have to be one or the other?

I see that there are places, especially in Europe, where homo-/bisexuality/transsexualism is looked upon more favorably than in other places. But on the other hand, there are also places that are getting progressively worse. The places such as Spain that already have "equal" status for it's queer citizens may have won over support from the youth and the more liberally minded segments of the community, but still have large swaths of the population that not only think queer individuals are to be regarded as second class citizens, but should be eradicated.

We have to look at the cause for this hatred. Is it because of ignorance, scapegoat-ism or because of socio-cultural or religious influences? It definitely isn't because they're right. Man, I wish I could remember more from my sociology/inter-cultural communications classes. I know the concepts, but have a hard time remembering the terminology. But that's besides the point. If there are socio-cultural forces acting upon members of a society to act or think a certain way, then they can and will be overcome with time. There is no question about it. We see that happening all the time in wester and eastern countries alike. Ignorance and thus fear have a big impact on one's outlook on things. We all suffer from this, but it can be overcome. 

Scapegoat-ism is hard to overcome up until a certain threshold or critical mass. That can be seen to certain extent with minorities in Europe and North America. It would just take time to eventually reach a more inclusive society. But this is not to say that there would not be any setbacks. We see that all the time when crises occur and politicians need someone blame and more importantly, someone do draw attention AWAY from themselves.

Religion, though, is another question. And it always seems to flair up in economic times because hopeless people need some supernatural power to rekindle the lost hope. Then enter manipulative, "religous" power mongers that feed off of the hopeless and destitute. This target group is always some minority or unconquerable majority. They demonize this group and are horrified if what they have contrived about the target group "actually" turns out to be false. Then the truly scary sides of these power mongers come out. They will do anything to keep their power, to propagate the notion that their in-group is better than any other in-group. This, unfortunately, may take more than just a couple generations. These groups can cling on for dear life and mutate and embed themselves into new religions until the cycle begins again. All the while zealots are out "fighting" for their "God" that calls for "desperate" means in "desperate" times. THIS is what we should truly be afraid of. How does one try to help someone see how destructive their beliefs and subsequent actions are when their "God" is always "right" and works in "mysterious" ways?! It's like saying: "Believe me no matter what because I know best and you may not understand because it makes no sense in human logic, but I'll always be right. Just do what I say." It's impossible to confront that notion because they will always find an excuse. The worst part of it is that it is usually these two faced individuals with double standards that are willing to stop at nothing to get what they want and thus, be in control.

Now don't get me wrong. I know there are people that are religious that are good hearted, that understand some universal principles about love and inclusion and that do not do this kind of thing. I'm not saying I don't believe in a God. But what I am saying is that there are some out there that abuse it.

So we come back to fear--fear caused by ignorance and fear caused by a threat, which I feel stems back to ignorance--not an ignorance of knowledge per se, but of potential or foresight.

I feel as though ignorance of knowledge can be overcome locally over a short to mid-term time frame where as the latter (ignorance of potential) is a long-term goal that can not be overcome in a one, two, three up to five generations. Therefore, for the sake of those living in societies trapped in the latter, there must be a place for them to go. A place where they can live equal to those around them. A place where hope is still alive. A place where dreams can come true and where they can share these dreams with others. A place that could stand as a beacon of a coming future.