Shoghi Effendi is established in the writings of the Baha'i Faith as a source of authority. He cannot be rejected on sources of personal feelings or opinions. Your methodology used to challenge the Baha'i faith is not appreciated. Individuals cannot place their personal opinions as privileged above the UHJ. They are the central Baha'i leadership and cannot be rejected.
What seems to be so difficult to understand in this conversation is that being a Baha'i means following certain rules. One quote I've seen Baha'is use is Chardlin's, "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." Nothing for the Baha'is will lie in this life. Our goal now is supress our lesser instincts and follow God. This may seem difficult, but we subject ourselves to God and do not subject God to ourselves. LGBT individuals are perfectly free to join the Baha'i community. If they refuse to follow the rules or place themselves above the rules then discipline will only follow after many warnings. This is not discrimination or oppression. This is the result of continued refusal to obey Baha'u'llah which is expected of any Baha'i. Being a Baha'i is a voluntary decision which implies certain rules by followed. If someone doesn't want to follow these rules then they can leave.
I'm not sure how these are equal issues. Not at all. Being Muslim I will say if a Muslim woman chooses hijab, she is not oppressed.
Baha'is voluntarily choose to follow Baha'u'llah.
You can be a Bahá’í-Christian, a Bahá’í-Freemason, a Bahá’í-Jew, a Bahá’í-Muḥammadán. The number nine contains eight, and seven, and all the other numbers, and does not deny any of them. Do not distress or deny anyone by saying ‘He is not a Bahá’í!’ He will be known by his deeds. (Baha'u'llah)
It was actually Abdu'l-Baha who said this, and this is a pilgrim's notes and you cannot actually simultaneously be a freemason and a Baha'i. Membership in secret societies is banned.
It seems you have come to dislike me during this conversation. I would like to end on better terms, but I could never compromise when it comes to injustice. I apologize for the ways that has offended you. It was not personal. Namaste.
Never said this here before, but I am gay and I am a Baha'i. I choose not to get married. You're not doing a very good job of speaking for me by attacking and insulting my religion. Mostly, I'm irritated by your insistence I'm "oppressed" and "voiceless". No one is making me do this. I want to. I think it's the will of God.