In a country where we boast our infrastructural progress to claim the title of a UN developing country, we certainly have stigmas and homophobic laws in place since the British colonial era. God created his special creation, humans, in their own unique form, as unique individuals, and it's time people get to live their truth and deserve a chance at eternal happiness just like the rest of us. If Bangladesh truly wants to become a developing country and by God's will a first world country one day, we need to focus on developing our moral infrastructure and liberating all Bangladeshi's regardless of their gender, sex, race, religion, financial status, education status, and other individual factors. This is why recognition of same-sex couples and same-sex sexual activity is so very crucial.  

As citizens of Bangladesh, we need to speak up and raise awareness with petitions like this, and verbally break the stigma by educating our family, friends, and, loved ones to make the future of our queer family hopeful and present them with equal opportunities and recognition as everyone else, love is love. If I have kids in the future, and they happen to be queer, I want them to live in a society that welcomes and loves them, they should be able to walk with their heads held up, proud to be themselves, and love who they are meant to.

In my early teenage years, I've repelled the LGBTIA+ community fearing that if I happen to be homosexual or bisexual I would disappoint my parents and have to be captivated my entire life. So just at age 11, I kept watching graphic heterosexual activity for a good 3 months to make sure I'm completely heterosexual and that I'm not worried about being something else. As I spent the following years learning about the queer community and watching tv shows and movies with accurate LGBTQIA+ representation, I became more comfortable not having to be completely straight and grew more comfortable exploring my sexuality and not having to label myself. Just a few months back, I read about Bangladesh's legalization and recognition of the queer community and it broke my heart, to say the least. I read stories about people getting arrested and getting killed for being who they are and advocating for others, and I was completely shattered. I'm disappointed as to where Bangladesh is because you can't just tell a person what to be and what not to be, that's just not how it works. 

We can make an impact together right here and in addition educate our loved ones to break the stigma. Sign this petition to decriminalize same-sex sexual activity. We cannot have a developed country until we have a liberal and developed mindset.