Neo-conservatism vs. The LGBTTQ* community?

If we were to search for the word “conservatism” in the dictionary, the definition would come as “the disposition to preserve or restore what is established and traditional and to limit change” (Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictonary, 1983).Which is indeed the core principle of neo-conservatism: to conserve existing things.
The LGBTTQ* have organized themselves to fight for the equality and the justice they deserve for many years. However with gay rights activists come gay-rights opponents and the issue of homosexuals’ rights has turned into a controversial, legal battle, which to this day is still fought all over the globe. Neo-conservatives are a great example of gay-rights opponents. They believe that the LGBTTQ* community should have their rights taken away for a variety of reasons.
Firstly, it comes as no surprise that the topic of homosexuality is one that causes controversy for neo-conservatives. Mullaly (2007) wrote “neo-conservatives prefer to maintain traditional institutions and processes, which should only be modified with extreme caution”(p.70). In other words, neo-conservatives prefer to keep things the way they are, and believe change should be slow and evolutionary. Therefore this has put them in opposition to increasing the cultural acceptance and legal rights of homosexuals. 
The legalisation of same-sex marriage was a radical step forward for Canada, it being the fourth country to do so. Of course, the Conservative government wasn’t pleased about it, and so they tried to re-examine the issue, by having a free vote, still they were defeated. Hence why “on December 7 ,2006, the House of Commons effectively reaffirmed the legislation of same-sex marriage by a vote of 175 to 123, defeating the Conservative governments motion.” (The New YorkTimes,2005).
According to Mullaly (2007) “neo-conservatism believes that the traditional, heterosexual, married couple with children is the cornerstone of society” In other words, neoconservatives believe that the traditional family is the basic building block of society and same-sex marriages aren’t  part of societies norm. They believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman.
Mullaly(2007) wrote  neo-conservatism “accommodates the religious right with its literal interpretations of the bible” and that neoconservatives “have strong views on sin and reject non-Christian values” (P. 79). Therefore one could say that Neo-conservatives have faith based beliefs.
Neo-conservatives interpret passages from the bible literally and they believe that these passages are instructive in today’s society.(Mullaly p.79).  As a result because homosexuality is considered sinful in the bible, they also believe it to be sinful. Some neoconservatives go as far as to believe that homosexuality is a chosen, abnormal and changeable lifestyle which is hated by God. 
 Often, Neo-conservatives can even express hostility towards same-sex relationships (Mullaly, p.79) Examples of unfriendliness towards homosexuals can be demonstrated by Conservative leader and Current Prime Minister Stephen Harper.  The party leader went to anti-gay rallies during the same-sex marriage debate before it was made legal, and declared “we can win this fight”. (The National, 2005)
Harper has also been quoted for stating: 

“Regarding sexual orientation or, more accurately, what we are really talking about, sexual behaviour, the argument has been made ... that this is analogous to race and ethnicity.... (For) anyone in the Liberal party to equate the traditional definition of marriage with segregation and apartheid is vile and disgusting."

Harper’s previously mentioned quote demonstrates a view on the LGBTTQ* community that many other Neo-conservatives seem to share. When he states that sexual orientation is essentially promiscuous sexual behaviour, he is saying that one is not born homosexual, but that they choose to be.
In conclusion, Neo-conservative views towards homosexuals can be at times hostile and controversial. However thanks to other ideologies (such as liberalism) same-sex marriage has been legalised for almost a decade. While there are still individuals in our Canadian society who view homosexuality as deviant or sinful and have trouble accepting it; homosexuality is no longer a sinful practice to admit to.
                                                      

References

·         Boag, K. (2005, June 15). CBC News Indepth: Evangelism. CBC.ca - Canadian News Sports Entertainment Kids Docs Radio TV. Retrieved October 17, 2011, from http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/evangelical/

o   Llewellyn, W. (1983). Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary . USA : Merriam-Webster Inc. .

·         Mullaly, R. P. (2007). The new structural social work (3rd ed.). London: Oxford University Press.

o   Canada passes bill to legalize gay marriage - The New York Times. (2005, June 29). NY Times Advertisement. Retrieved October 16, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/29/world/americas/29iht-web.0629canada.html