It’s not the LGBTQ+ rights movement, but homophobia that threatens our national security, although some people disagree.
The creators of the “Stop LGBT ideology” platform publicly announce that the LGBTQ+ rights movement is a threat to national security.
In fact, the creators of this platform – Simonas Streikus and Darius Biliūnas – are part of a political party called “Nacionalinis susivienijimas” that often gets involved in scandals with homophobic rhetoric. Or at least they declare their association with this political party.
The argument that LGBTQ+ rights activists are somehow threatening national security isn’t based on any strong evidence, except for science-contradicting rhetoric in anonymous comments sections, assuring that LGBTQ+ people are “identity disorder” genderists.
It’s clear that they’re trying to politicize this question, connecting it to scientific arguments – by drawing a picture of these people having some sort of disorders.
However, the problem lies in the lack of science.
It’s important to note that in 1990 the World Health Organization stopped classifying homosexuality and bisexuality as mental disorders. Since 2004, May 17th has been considered International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia. So, there’s a lot of available information surrounding this topic. If we dig deeper, in 1973 the American Psychiatric Association no longer considered homosexuality as a sickness.
Sicknesses aren’t classified by societal surveys or norms, although some may think differently. That’s what medical indications are for, so I won’t get into it any further.
However, it’s obvious that the treatment of one or another behavior as atypical changes over time. In the same way, homosexuals can’t be considered sick by the principle of “love/don’t love”.
Let’s get back to national security. In my opinion, it is not the LGBTQ+ rights (exactly, rights!) movement that threatens national security, but homophobia.
Here’s why – homophobia can evoke inner conflicts and create a perfect environment for violating human rights and can cost lost national opportunities, distrust among citizens and national institutions.
Inner conflicts. Homophobia can elicit hatred and social tension among the country’s citizens. The discrimination and violence against the LGBTQ+ community encourage conflict between different societal groups. These conflicts can turn into violent protests or disturbances and impose a threat of an unstable political and social order in the country. A growing dissatisfaction, for example, for LGBTQ+ rights, can evoke extremist groups to take advantage of a divided society.
Human rights violations. LGBTQ+ people face discrimination and assault for their identity, so homophobia can create a perfect environment to commit human rights violations. That includes the loss of jobs, unfair and rude behavior in the workplace, educational establishments, and can negatively affect one’s mental health. Human rights violations harm international reputation. It diminishes the country’s attraction as a partner and an ally.
Human rights violations lead to lost national opportunities. LGBTQ+ people, who face discrimination, often lose opportunities to work skillfully, study hard, and reach career highs. They’re afraid to lose their jobs. This negatively influences not only regular people, but also the country’s future, because it loses talent, ideas, and innovations. The country’s economy faces hardships because of less productivity and the lack of workers’ creativity.
Inadequate use of national resources. If a country must give a lot of resources to fight problems caused by homophobia, it can distract from critical national security questions. Using resources to battle discrimination and violence (is essential) can lessen the country’s ability to deal with other critical questions of national security, like cyber-attacks (now especially relevant for Lithuania) or terrorism. Or it can reduce investments in, for example, education, law enforcement, social security, etc. So, homophobia leads to growing national budget costs.
The lack of confidence. Homophobia can cause self-doubt among citizens and national institutions. LGBTQ+ people can avoid working with law enforcement or other national institutions because they’re scared of facing discrimination or even assault. Self-doubt can affect the country’s ability to fight crime. For example, mistrust in law enforcement can decrease crime reports, which interferes with assuring safety for everyone, hence, lessening the trust in the country.
Everything that has been stated confirms that LGBTQ+ rights activists aren’t a threat to national security, its rather the conflicts and discrimination caused by homophobia.
A country that is trying to assure stability and security must actively fight homophobia, encourage tolerance, and respect for all citizens, despite their sexual orientation and identity. This would not only increase Lithuania’s reputation internationally but also build trust in national institutions and support social harmony.
Jonas Valaitis
Jarmo.net
