Ancient Roots: Debunking the Myth of Homosexuality and Transgenderism as Modern, Western Concepts
If you come from an Asian family or country, you have probably heard the argument that goes generally like this “we have no gay/LGBTQ people here, because those are bad ideas that come from the West”, or “you aren’t gay/LGBTQ – you just learned the wrong ideas from Western culture”.
Well, if someone gives you this argument, here’s some facts that you can reply with, for them to consider: 1. Homosexuality (and variation in gender) is a natural and diverse expression of human sexuality and identity that has existed throughout history and throughout culture. 2. Acceptance and tolerance of these phenomena have existed throughout history and across geography. In this post, we will explore examples of tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality in traditional cultures around the world, both in ancient and modern times.
Ancient Times
One of the earliest civilizations that had a positive attitude towards homosexuality was ancient Egypt. According to some historians, there is evidence of same-sex relationships among royalty, nobility and commoners in ancient Egypt, as well as depictions of cross-dressing and transgender individuals. For example, some scholars believe that Pharaoh Akhenaten and his chief minister Smenkhkare were lovers, and that Queen Hatshepsut dressed as a man to rule as pharaoh.
Another civilization that celebrated homosexuality was ancient Greece, where same-sex love was considered a noble and beautiful form of friendship. The Greeks believed that homosexual relationships between men could enhance their intellectual and spiritual bond, as well as their military prowess. Many famous Greek philosophers, poets, artists and warriors were openly gay or bisexual, such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Homer, Sophocles and Alexander the Great.
A third example of a tolerant culture in ancient times was the Viking society of Scandinavia. The Vikings were known for their fierce raids and conquests, but they also had a complex and diverse culture that included homosexuality. According to some sources, there were homosexual marriages among Viking men who shared property and inheritance rights. There were also female warriors who dressed as men and fought alongside them.
Modern Times
In modern times, many countries have made significant progress in recognizing and protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people. However, there are still many challenges and barriers to overcome for full equality and acceptance. Some traditional cultures have maintained or revived their positive views on homosexuality despite social pressures or legal restrictions.
One such culture is India, where homosexuality was decriminalized by the Supreme Court in 2018 after a long struggle by activists and allies. India has a rich history of diverse sexualities and gender identities that dates back to ancient times. For example, Hinduism recognizes a third gender called hijra , which includes transgender people who are revered as sacred beings with special powers.
Another culture that has shown increasing acceptance of homosexuality is South Africa , which became the first country in Africa to legalize same-sex marriage in 2006 . South Africa has a vibrant LGBTQ+ community that celebrates its diversity through events such as Pride parades , festivals , art shows , etc . South Africa also has prominent LGBTQ+ leaders such as Nelson Mandela , Desmond Tutu , Cyril Ramaphosa , etc .
A third example of a modern tolerant culture is Japan , where homosexuality has been legal since 1880 . Japan has a long tradition of same-sex love among samurai warriors , monks , geisha , etc . Japan also has a unique subculture called yaoi or boys’ love , which is a genre of manga (comics)and anime (animation)that depicts romantic relationships between male characters . Yaoi is popular among both female and male fans .
Conclusion
Obviously, there are many examples of tolerance and acceptance of homosexuality in traditional cultures around the world in both ancient and modern times . We hope the few that we’ve mentioned have shown you that homosexuality is not unnatural or immoral, but rather a normal and valuable part of human diversity! Many countries around the world are waking up to the realisation that homosexuality is normal and should be recognised, and same-sex marriages are coming to reality all around the world!