by Pauline ETIENNE

Tomorrow, many homosexuals or bisexuals may do their coming out at the Rainbow March and Pride Party that will be held for the second consecutive year. It is a sign that our society is going a step further in accepting others with their differences. It is a sign that the government does not give in to lobbies that would prevent evolution in our society and is ready to assume its decisions.

However, I was really disappointed when I realised that this march was causing a general outcry from some religious leaders. The latter are mixing issues when they say that this march as well as the publicised intention of the government to legalise sodomy is actually a proof that our society is losing all its values.

For them, the fact that Mauritian citizens who must have felt rejected and misunderstood for years are starting to get some recognizance is merely a proof that society is declining.

These persons are putting pressure on the government to prevent such marches in the future. For them, the government is back-pedalling in its desire to make of Mauritius a better society.

Such speeches can?t be accepted in 2007! Religions are supposed to vehicle a message of love and tolerance of others. Homosexuals or bisexuals may indeed consist of a minority in the country but it does in no way mean that they are abnormal or immoral people which would make an unhealthy society. Homosexuals are simply two persons of the same sex who love each other or feel an attraction for one another. With this in mind, I can?t see why the ones spending a lifetime preaching tolerance want to stop what is after all the expression of relief and joy.

A gay was recently telling me how hard it has been for her to accept that she loves girls and even harder to tell that to her relatives. Being a homosexual may indeed mean great suffering for those involved because society has never recognised their love for others.

Things have started changing only recently and we should be happy that all citizens of Mauritius can now feel accepted. They are confident enough to walk in the streets of Rose-Hill and claiming who they are. They owe a lot to the non-government organisation (NGO), Arc-En-Ciel, that is fighting homophobia and discriminations related to sexual orientation.

This NGO has indeed allowed some people to understand that homosexuality is a private matter and that society does not really have its say. But obviously, and sadly enough, all of us have not got the message yet?