文章基本信息

标题：Exporting homophobia
作者：James Hall
期刊名称：The Advocate
电子版ISSN：1832-9373
出版年度：2004
卷号：March 30, 2004
出版社：Office of the Employment Advocate

Exporting homophobia

James Hall

In your story about Ruslan Sharipov, the gay Uzbek journalist who was sentenced to 5 1/2 years in prison after being convicted under an Uzbek criminal code that bans homosexual conduct ["A One-man Gay Rights Movement," March 2], activist John Aravosis is quoted as saying that the United States, in its attempt to woo Muslim allies, "is supporting yet another dictatorship in the name of freedom and democracy." While I agree with this statement, I believe there's more to it than that. In light of Bush's State of the Union address, I would say it proves how deep Bush's prejudice against homosexuals is. He attacked the terrible way women's rights are being violated in Iraq, even using it as one reason to topple Saddam Hussein's regime. Yet he not only contributes money to Uzbeistan but has tripled aid there since September 11, 2001. If that doesn't speak loud and clear about Bush's prejudice, what does?

James Hall, Dalton Ga.

I was very moved by your article about Ruslan Sharipov and would like to get him out of jail. But think: If the authorities did let him out, what next? Since Uzbekistan has sodomy laws and Sharipov proposes both to commit sodomy and to talk about it, they can pop him right back in his cell any time they want. Suppose he refrains from sodomy; he obviously is not willing to give up writing In favor of gay rights. They are not committed to free speech. Once again, he can't expect to win.

Can he even expect words of sympathy from the American embassy? Our Supreme Court did make sodomy legal, but over vociferous objections from Scalia and Thomas. As for our politicians, things might improve after November, but at present we have a president who favors banning gay marriage by a constitutional amendment.

I don't know if Sharipov would agree to this, but what I see as the only practical solution is sending a mission to Uzbekistan requesting that they let him out of the country. I am willing to be a member of such a mission and contribute my share of dollars. Any takers?

Eric Bentley, New York, N.Y.