detrimentum: power to them! Admitting you gay is already hard... Admitting you gay and muslim is twice as hard. Depending on where you live, but like you said, countries where its illegal.

Opium: It is no more easier coming out as a member of any other religious or non-religious community (yes atheists, you are not immune to prejudice either). Anywhere in the world in any community you will always find open-minded people and you will also find closed minded people.

detrimentum: i dont agree. Being gay, muslim and living in pakistan is more difficult than being gay, atheist and living in the UK. Yes family and society is equally hard. But being gay isnt a crime in the UK. You cant be thrown in jail for being gay. Also, support groups in the UK is open, not hidden because its illegal. Gay pride makes being gay easier, there is no gay pride in pakistan. Kumz for example isnt muslim or christian, but homosexuality is illegal in Srilanka, it will be easier for me being gay in South Africa where its not a crime and where gay pride is open in the streets every single day. (not once a year) Family and society is automatically easier to deal with when you dont feel like you breaking the law because of love. Just my opinion. I have a lesbian friend getting married, they get their share of looks and comments, but they can go to a gay club, they can get married, they can walk holding hands in the mall because there is a 99% chance that they are not the only gay couple in the mall thats holding hands. They will get stared at, and old people will shake their heads, but there will also be people who smile at their inloveness and feel inspired by their boldness. Last but not least, no one will be phoning the SAPD. Can you do this in Pakistan?? Shrilanka? If not, being gay isnt the same all over the world.

detrimentum: i dont agree. Being gay, muslim and living in pakistan is more difficult than being gay, atheist and living in the UK. Yes family and society is equally hard. But being gay isnt a crime in the UK. You cant be thrown in jail for being gay. Also, support groups in the UK is open, not hidden because its illegal. Gay pride makes being gay easier, there is no gay pride in pakistan. Kumz for example isnt muslim or christian, but homosexuality is illegal in Srilanka, it will be easier for me being gay in South Africa where its not a crime and where gay pride is open in the streets every single day. (not once a year) Family and society is automatically easier to deal with when you dont feel like you breaking the law because of love. Just my opinion. I have a lesbian friend getting married, they get their share of looks and comments, but they can go to a gay club, they can get married, they can walk holding hands in the mall because there is a 99% chance that they are not the only gay couple in the mall thats holding hands. They will get stared at, and old people will shake their heads, but there will also be people who smile at their inloveness and feel inspired by their boldness. Last but not least, no one will be phoning the SAPD. Can you do this in Pakistan?? Shrilanka? If not, being gay isnt the same all over the world.

Opium: It is not the same, no but that does not necessarily make it easier. All it means is that the LGBT community faces a different set of problems. Sri Lanka is a predominantly Buddhist country, of the Theravada tradition. The third precept (one that is often cited when arguing against homosexuality) states: "Kamesu micchacara veramani sikkhapadam samadiyami." literally "I take the rule of training not to go the wrong way for sexual pleasure." as for what the "wrong way" is not further elaborated but in the Bahitika Sutta, Ananda is asked how to distinguish between praiseworthy and blameworthy behaviour. He answers that any behaviour which causes harm to oneself and others could be called blameworthy while any behaviour that causes no harm (and presumably which helps) oneself and others could be called praiseworthy. This is further reinforced by the Buddha in the Dhammapada: "The deed which causes remorse afterwards and results in weeping and tears is ill-done. The deed which causes no remorse afterwards and results in joy and happiness is well-done." So I would argue that Homophobia not only has no foundation in Buddhism but that it is an affront to it and that any loving and healthy relationship between adults of any gender in the lay Buddhist community is sanctioned. But to return to my main point, all I meant is that there are many less obvious problems that are often overlooked when one focuses intently at the more obvious ones. Until LGBT and heterosexual couples and individuals are treated and viewed no differently from each other there is much room for improvement.

detrimentum: you trying to fry my brain there? thanks, she's super excited! And on a photographer hunt, shes finding that difficult.

detrimentum: i dont agree. Being gay, muslim and living in pakistan is more difficult than being gay, atheist and living in the UK. Yes family and society is equally hard. But being gay isnt a crime in the UK. You cant be thrown in jail for being gay. Also, support groups in the UK is open, not hidden because its illegal. Gay pride makes being gay easier, there is no gay pride in pakistan. Kumz for example isnt muslim or christian, but homosexuality is illegal in Srilanka, it will be easier for me being gay in South Africa where its not a crime and where gay pride is open in the streets every single day. (not once a year) Family and society is automatically easier to deal with when you dont feel like you breaking the law because of love. Just my opinion. I have a lesbian friend getting married, they get their share of looks and comments, but they can go to a gay club, they can get married, they can walk holding hands in the mall because there is a 99% chance that they are not the only gay couple in the mall thats holding hands. They will get stared at, and old people will shake their heads, but there will also be people who smile at their inloveness and feel inspired by their boldness. Last but not least, no one will be phoning the SAPD. Can you do this in Pakistan?? Shrilanka? If not, being gay isnt the same all over the world.