The term recognition is important here. By recognition, I mean not simply the commonsense notion of realizing that some claim to a particular identity exists; that, say, David claims to be gay. Rather, I mean that society does not simply tolerate David’s identity while not really approving of it but actively affirms, supports, and encourages it. In other words, it is not enough to say to David that society will allow him to behave as he wishes in private without fear of prosecution. That is mere tolerance. Society must also affirm that his identity is as valid as that of anybody else, lest he
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