Heartbreaking... We have lost another gay rights activist too soon.
Isa Shakhmarli committed suicide at the young age of 20, hanging himself with a rainbow flag.
He encouraged the gay community to be brave, and as a gay man fighting for gay rights and living in the predominantly Muslim Azerbaijans (formerly part of the Soviet Union), he walked the talk. "I wish our society was not biased. Before hating, read about homosexuality on the Internet, learn about it. I want LGBTs to be brave.[. . . ] If you want, you can achieve." He is not alone in his plea for bravery, as I will discuss in an upcoming blog (link to come).
It is far too easy for those of us in the gay community--particularly in the comparably privileged Western society--to feel we are doing our part to further gay rights and distance ourselves from the fight in other parts of the world. Yes, we feel saddened by news of tragedy like that of Isa, but we feel our hands are clean . . . but are they?
In a Facebook message to his friends just prior to taking his own life, Isa wrote, "You are all guilty for my death. This world cannot handle my true colours. Goodbye." Powerful words . . . and we hear you, Isa. We will stand bravely and continue your work. We burned a candle for you last night, and for all those whom we have lost too soon.
Visit Global Post: http://bit.ly/1aRNExd or on Huffington Post: http://bit.ly/LQrFAk to read more.
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| "Out, damned spot! out, I say!" -Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act 5 Scene 1 |
Absolutely tragic. I was watching a program last night, dealing with the inadequacies of our society's ability to care for and treat those who suffer from mental health disorders. Parents were interviewed and a comparison was made between society's reaction to medical problems and mental problems. It was agreed that people are sympathetic when a person has a medical problem, and are often judgmental when a person has a mental or emotional problem.
ReplyDeleteI began to make a connection between society's view of homosexuality and their view of mental illness. So many consider a person's being gay as a choice, in the same way they consider mental illness to be a weakness. In their view, all a person has to do is decide to be different. It is simple ignorance, expressed as a lack of love, caring or concern for others. It is as if, the gay community is unworthy of acceptance and those who suffer mental health disorders are unworthy of support.
Neither is true! We have a responsibility to love and accept everyone as the person they were born to be and to support everyone who needs our assistance. This is the whole purpose behind the concepts of family, community, society.