Gays Targeted for Honor Killing in Iraq

(Baghdad) Homosexuals are being targeted in brutal "witch hunts."

From UPI.com:

Shiite militias in Iraq are now brutally killing gays and children forced into same-sex prostitution, a report says Sunday.

The killings are ignored under Iraqi law because homosexuality is seen as a horrific act against Islam, London's Observer newspaper reports, and those doing the killing face no consequences.

Section 111 of Iraq's penal code lays out legal protections for murder when the targeted people are deemed to be acting against Islam. Homosexuality is viewed by some as so immoral that killing someone who is gay qualifies as an "honor killing," the newspaper says.

So, in Iraq there's legal protection for those people who murder homosexuals. Gay and lesbian advocates in the U.S., to my knowledge, have expressed no outrage. Instead, they condemn America for the lack of same-sex marriage.

On balance, it sure seems that the gay and lesbian activists should support Bush's efforts to foster democracy in the Middle East. Without democratic institutions, it's virtually impossible to wrestle popular support from the Islamists to achieve human rights reforms. Unfortunately, gays and lesbians are some of the most virulent of President Bush's opponents.

Therefore, I contend that homosexual advocates in America are not acting in their own best interest. Instead of focusing on same-sex marriage, they should be working to create assurances that they won't be murdered. And, for those Bush-haters among us, please realize that the honor killings will continue long after the President leaves office.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.