Tiwi SisterGirls: Dreamtime Fire: Indigenous Issues, too

Thank God for the radio, the TV and the internet. We can, if we open our ears, our eyes, and especially our hearts, learn – all about what in the past has only been whispered about. And thank God also that recent medical and scientific breakthroughs “prove to us” that there is much more to all of “us” than meets the eye, and even serious and prolonged observation. Ignorance of these issues is no longer an excuse for continued abuse of people who are born “differently” to the great majority.

In this case, first I must thank Australia’s Radio National for its’ broadcast (first heard while I was driving my car home) AWAYE! program called “Dreamtime Fire/Tiwi SisterGirls”. I noted down some identifying details in my notebook while stopped at traffic-lights, and within a few days searched out the information. Months have now passed, but I would be failing in my “duty of care” if I did not provide you with “new” information as we pass into a new year, even though in the interim new stories have “come to light”, or we could equally say “come to the surface”.

Both stories presented that day were of interest to me, and I hope they will also interest you: “Dreamtime Fire/Tiwi SisterGirls” can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/awaye/stories/2009/2666189.htm . The first half deals with the traditional use of fire as a purification and regenerative agent for tribal lands, and the protection this communal work “at the right time” affords neighbours against wild-fires at summers’ peak.

The second half also deals with what is clearly an ancient indigenous issue: the honouring and nurturing of Australia’s Tiwi Islands “SisterGirls”. Very little research has revealed the following internet sites, and I commend them to you: http://www.suite101.com/reference/tiwi_sistergirls and http://aboriginalrights.suite101.com/article.cfm/indigenous_homosexuality .

From here I soon discovered that Africa too has GLBTIQandQ people, just as I suspected all along (since Omotaylor’s africanloft blogpost “Gay Nigerian Issues” at http://community.africanloft.com/_NIGERIAN-GAY-ISSUES/blog/208165/4392.html ), where a line from Omo’s poem first prompted me to respond 10 months ago: http://community.africanloft.com/_A-Word-is-enough-for-the-Wise/blog/222404/4392.html and http://community.africanloft.com/_One-Word-LOVE-is-enough-for-the-Wise/blog/222439/4392.html .

If you or any reader has any problems with the “Gay” issue, I commend you to read the story of Juliet-Julius, now Julius Kaggwa – intersex child, and now a proud and loving parent: http://www.mask.org.za/article.php?cat=uganda&id=2259 .

Or if you wish, you might like to research the case of South Africa’s athlete Caster Semenya (see Omo’s comments at http://www.africanloft.com/800m-gold-metalist-semenya-a-man-or-woman and http://www.africanloft.com/sexuality-vs-spirituality-can-nigerian-gay-church-stand etc).

It is interesting that although she has had lots to say about “it” in the past, Omotaylor now is a little more careful in her prognostications, and does not wish to be drawn into debate on the “Gay Issue”, for she said: “In the meantime, every individual should go with their Godly Wisdom and be allowed to so be. This includes me and my stance on Homosexuality. Promise I won’t be drawn into this discourse any longer so don’t be offended if I join the league of “silent” audience” (see her article at http://community.africanloft.com/_EXCELLING-AS-A-WOMAN-OF-GOD/blog/996799/4392.html etc). I do not have a problem with this, so long as her evangelism calls all people to love one another – equally. This is the Golden Rule.

Realistically, there is no end to diversity. The truth we allow is expanded by loving; even when this is difficult for us as parents, when our children do not turn out to be all that we had expected, or hoped and prayed for. So long as we parents, and our children express and continue to receive our love, everything will turn out for the good.

Bad talk and condemnation only reflect badly on – ourselves, so it behoves us to Love. Jesus himself confirmed his attitude to situations such as these, by saying:

 “I pass judgment on no one. But if I were to do so, my judgement would be true, because I am not alone in this; for God who sent me is with me (John 8.15,16). What I say is true, because I know where I came from, and where I am going (John 8.14). I am the light of the world (John 8.12); I Am Who I Am (John 8.23,27). I am telling you the truth (John 8.34); the truth will set you free (John 8.31). Stop judging by external standards, and (if you must) judge by true standards (John 7.24)….

Love your neighbour as you love yourself (Luke 10.27). Do this and you will live (Luke 10.28). Loving your neighbour as you love yourself IS loving the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength (Luke10.27-28). Do not judge others, and God will not judge you; do not condemn others, and God will not condemn you; forgive others, and God will forgive you. Give to others, and God will give to you (Luke 6.37).”

There is no hate in Love.

This is the Gospel (Good News) message of Love, which is God.

Thanks Be – To God !

If it is necessary for anyone to do some more research into these matters, then you might like to look up another recently publicised story by CNN’s Ivan Watson on the 17^th December 2009 at  http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/12/17/gaza.gender.id

and http://birdofparadox.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/intersex-youth-in-gaza .

Lest we forget: Godly, Parental love “gives” but is not restricted to a formula. It also “receives” and everyone gains. This is the “win/win” experience of loving. Love is nurture, pure and simple. And from that love, from the home outwards, we will gain “peace” where all people are respected.

It is time that humble citizens tell their religious and political leaders that “enough is enough” – and to dismantle all discriminatory legislation, even if it is recent, like in Nigeria and Uganda (see http://www.africanloft.com/ugandan-anti-gay-proposed-legislation ).

“Love is the immutable foundation on which to build anything which is of enduring worth” (a quote from 5^th Parliamentarian Swami Amarananda of Geneva Switzerland, December 30, 2009).

Any law which is not consistent with the Law of Love is no law at all.

This is the filter through which all things must pass. There is no “other”. What we do for One, we do for All. There is no religion higher than Truth. It is only space which separates us: Nothing separates us.

Love is the absence of hate, for there is no hate in Love: Love is pure:

(If I have no love, I am nothing… Corinthians 13.2).

Ignorance is no argument in sincere division. Majority mob violence is not heroic. It is, in deed, the opposite. Education lights the way. Bitterness and resentment is the only fruit of unequal relationships. In the A - Z of sexuality, homosexuality is only one aspect of it, and if a homosexual act is loving (mutually desired and appreciated by the partners) there is nothing that can be said against it.

May all of life’s blessings and benefits be yours, also: Long may your love-light shine brightly: Peace to you, as well ! Shalom ! Inshallah ! Hope-fully ! In the Name of God, the Infinitely Compassionate, Loving and Most Merciful:

Let it be so ! Let it begin !  With ME ! With US ! Today, and Every Day !

Amen !  Kindly Action ! Love ! Live !