Not all Americans support homosexuality –Prof. Antwi

Associate Professor of Leadership and Management at Viterbo University, Professor Enoch Opoku Antwi, has expressed that there is no universal agreement among Americans regarding the legalization of homosexuality in the US.

Having taught diversity courses in the US for an extended period, Prof. Antwi emphasized the importance of individuals stating their pronouns to prevent accusations of “micro-aggression”.

In response to the passage of the Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 on TV3 on Saturday, March 9, Prof. Antwi observed, “I now have to include my pronouns in emails in the US – he, him, his, or she, hers, her.”

He added, “Failure to state your pronouns could be seen as micro-aggression, implying hostility towards someone’s sexual orientation. It is essential to include your pronouns in every email to clarify your position for students”.

Prof. Antwi also noted that the LGBTQ+ law in the US was not passed by the American Congress, highlighting that the state of California voted against LGBTQ+ legislation.

He mentioned, “It’s important to remember that the LGBTQ+ law was not passed by the American Congress. The process started with Proposition 18 in California, indicating that the whole state was involved in the decision-making. When all attempts failed, President Obama later went to the US Apex Court and managed to secure 5 -4 decision from the panel of judges…so the first vote by the US was against the LGBTQ. The five justices passed the law in favour of homosexuality, which verdict Americans are to comply with and it’s important to anchor the point that not all Americans prefer homosexuality”.

US Supreme Court verdict

The White House was illuminated in a stunning display of rainbow colours to celebrate the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling legalizing same-sex marriage. President Obama hailed the decision as a triumph for the country, stating that it had brought America one step closer to a more perfect union.

Justice Kennedy, in a 5-4 decision, declared that the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause mandates that states must grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The president emphasized the founding principle of equality in his remarks at the White House, underscoring the significance of the court’s decision in Obergefell v. Hodges.