GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

This paper on Law and LGBTQ Movements: Pushing Farther the Liberal Conception of Justice, is a reaction to the fear palpable among many countries of the world, that existence of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisextual, Transgender, Queer, (LGBTQ) movements will bring about distortions to social cohesion. Using the qualitative method of research, the paper attempts to highlight the extent of the right claimed by the movements that could be recognized by the law. As argued in this paper, the LGBTQ movements’ argument for homosexuality is the major issue generating controversy concerning legalization of the activities of the movements.  Understanding that such movements can only find support from liberalism, their argument for homosexuality is assessed based on the three theses of liberalism, namely, the neutral thesis, the agnostic thesis, and the perfectionist thesis. It is noted that though the neutralist thesis with its emphasis on equal respect, may give credence to the homosexuality argument of LGBTQ movements, the other two theses portray such argument as baseless even from the point of view of the neutralist thesis. Thus, this paper argues that the basis of legalizing the movements in some countries of the world could be the need for upholding certain inalienable rights such as the rights to freedom of expression, association, and thought and conscience. It recommends other countries can still legalize the activities of the movements without giving effect to the homosexuality argument.

KEYWORDS: Law, LGBTQ, Liberal, Movement, Justice