Oklute: Pride, Freedom & Self-Expression in Modern Relationships
No one has the right to control how someone else lives his or her sexuality. Every person has an inherent right (and therefore should always be able) to express and pursue their sexuality freely. Unfortunately, there are still many people who experience prejudice against them due to their sexual orientation or sexual identity; this continues to cause rejection and discrimination towards LGBTQIA+ people.
This is why it’s important to acknowledge that the International Day Against Homophobia is still relevant today. This day serves as an opportunity to reflect not only on the value of respect but also on the concept of freedom (and how both can be expressed in a variety of ways) – whether it’s through action or by means of social media.
At Oklute, we believe everyone should feel safe and empowered to express themselves fully when pursuing their sexual orientation without being fearful of being treated differently as a result. In addition, we believe in fostering relationships where mutual respect, honesty, and love exist between individuals (regardless of their sexual orientation).
Freedom to Be, Feel, and Connect with Your Sexuality
You have the right to be yourself with no one stopping you from doing so by taking away your right to be yourself with no one taking away your right to live your sexuality freely. Although this seems simple, there are still many people throughout the world who do not experience their relationships openly and freely without fear. The ability to be, express, and experience yourself should be available to society as a whole. Unfortunately, there is still an abundance of homophobia in our world, which controls the lives of many, both online and offline.
For people with different sexual orientations and genders, discrimination, rejection, and violence is still something they experience regularly. In some parts of the world, LGBTQIA+ individuals are routinely harassed and denied basic rights. Therefore, advocating for sexual rights is directly tied to advocating for human rights. Everyone has the right to live their relationships, express their feelings, and connect with others without fear of judgment and or rejection.
Moreover, there is no one way to love, connect, or express your identity. Each individual has their own history and experiences with building relationships and connecting with family and friends. This is why diversity and respect for each other’s uniqueness is so important. At Oklute, we believe that relationships should be formed through freedom, honesty and respect, and that everyone deserves to feel they can be themselves without fear of judgment.
How to Respect Differences and Live Sexuality Freely
At first glance, many gestures appear to be commonplace in nature; holding hands or expressing affection should not create fear in public places — but there are still many LGBTQIA+ individuals who feel unsafe doing these things. An uncomfortable stare, an inappropriate comment, or a joke at an individual’s expense can affect an individual much more deeply than many people realize. There are also situations where the fear of social rejection is still present.
Homophobia continues to exist in our culture; for example, some small or normalized behaviours and phrases may demonstrate this, but this does not mean that they are not damaging or harmful. Therefore, respecting one another also requires us to challenge our behaviours — for instance, we should never make an assumption about someone’s sexual orientation or identity based on their appearance, manner of speaking/sounding, or choice of expression.
We must also avoid using phrases intended to “validate” something that does not require validation; e.g. “I have a friend who is gay” or “I don’t have any problems with it,” despite being positive statements, can reinforce a degrading or prejudiced view of an individual without realising it. Instead, normalising diversity will create safer and more comfortable environments for all people; we should listen to, learn from, and engage with different viewpoints and opinions as a means to respect one another as people. As part of this process, we can start to expand our worldview by reading literary works, following LGBTQIA+ creative and artistic individuals through various media sources, and being open to listening to how others see the world.
The Internet Can Also Be a Freer Space
Digital technology has transformed how people connect with each other across the globe, and many of those connections are different from what has been considered “normal” in the past. The development of online communities has enabled individuals to have opportunities for expressing themselves in ways that they may not be able to do in their everyday lives, especially for members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Internet has provided an alternative space for these individuals who would otherwise face family, community, or societal discrimination when trying to find others like themselves.
However, homophobia and prejudice can also be found in the digital world. Many members of the LGBTQIA+ community regularly endure hostile and discriminatory behaviour on a daily basis through offensive comments, anonymous harassment, and/or cyber-bullying. Therefore, there is an urgent need for creating safe and respectful online environments, especially within those areas that directly relate to personal freedom, identity, and connection. In the adult industry, for example, digital technology has changed how individuals create connection with each other. Increasingly, individuals are using digital tools (e.g., social media) to organise their activities and to feel safe within more controlled environments.
Where to Find Safe Spaces Online
Having a safe space relies on more than just technology; it also depends on respect, the ability to express oneself freely and how people interact with each other. More and more people are searching for spaces where they can interact without hiding who they are and where they don’t fear being judged. In the end, living your sexuality freely means having the ability to be comfortable being yourself.
At Oklute we believe in creating more authentic connections that are based on respect. No one should be excluded from interacting because of their identity, sexual orientation, or experience in connecting with others. No one should have their right to live their sexuality freely taken away from them; that should be a natural right, not something that is considered a privilege. Regardless, there is still plenty of work to do to create more respectful spaces both off and online.
Small acts of kindness made through words and behaviours can also help foster greater tolerance. Through listening, valuing others’ opinions and leaving behind prejudices we can create healthily and more human-like relationships. In the end, all individuals should be able to freely express their feelings and actions without the fear of being ostracized or rejected. Speak out against homophobia, not just every once in a while, on dedicated awareness days, but every time you speak or interact with someone else. Don’t forget to follow us on our X page.
