From: ssh@snow.boulder.ibm.com (Steve Hultquist (347-3994))
Newsgroups: co.politics
Subject: Re: Amendment #2
Date: 6 Nov 92 10:50:09 GMT
	<1de4ejINNev0@marvin.solbourne.com>
Reply-To: <ssh@vnet.ibm.com>
Distribution: all
Organization: ISSC Boulder

>>>>> On 6 Nov 92 15:53:55 GMT, gerber@solbourne.com (Andrew Gerber) said:

AG> Fundamentalist Christian groups have siezed the issue of gay rights as
AG> a lightning rod.  Bigotry works to rally ignorant people.  CFV
AG> (Coloradans for Familiy Values) received out of state money to fund
AG> the Yes on 2 campaign.

I have a pretty good idea of how gays feel.  I'm part of a discriminated
minority.  You see, I'm a Fundamentalist Christian!  (*gasp*)

Would you have objected to a state-wide "Gay Rights" bill that overturned local
laws forbidding minority status for gays?

AG> Regardless of the wording of Amendment 2, it is a stab in the back for
AG> gay people through the state of Colorado.  It is saying that Colorado
AG> doesn't value gay people.  A recent Dept. of Education study estimated
AG> that up to 50% of all teens who commit suicide are gay.  People will
AG> die because of the passage of Amendment 2.  Will it take a fatal
AG> gay-bashing to persuade Colorado voters that gays are discriminated
AG> against?  I hope not.

*whew*  This is a bit of a leap.  As a Fundamentalist Christian, I place
incredibly *high* value on every human being, regardless of their personal
proclivities.  As a fallible human, I understand how often I fail to live up to
the ultimate perfection I emulate.  Millions of people die from the results of
alcohol addiction (on all sides of it), which is likely genetically linked.
Many people are inclined to condemn those suffering from alcohol addiction.
Given that, should we produce laws that prohibit discrimination of those
addicted to alcohol?  I'm absolutely certain that you don't see the parallel
between the two that I see.  Yet, I do see it.

AG> #2 was not about "special rights".  If Amendment 2 sticks, people can
AG> be fired or thrown out of their apartments just because they are gay.
AG> These are the facts.  Having a place to live and a job are not
AG> "special rights"  

When this starts happening, I think it will be appropriate to complain.
However, the complaint must not be on the basis of sexual preference, but
instead on the basis of other elements (i.e., if you've been living there and
are suddenly thrown out merely because of your sexual preference, can your
landlord defend her actions in court?).  Gays are *not* discriminated against.
In fact, unless they make known their sexual preference, no one will know.  It
is the gays themselves who have demonstrated the differences:

discriminate:  1.  To distinguish between things; differentiate

Who is it that has chosen to differentiate between those who are gay and those
who are not?  Who has chosen to bring to the public things better left within
one's private life?  I certainly don't discuss my sexual activity with anyone
apart from my very closest and most intimate friends.  Why would anyone make a
public issue of it?!

AG> Who will the CFV target next?  Unmarried straight couples living
AG> together?  Jews?  Blacks?  

Please tell me what the CFV has done that you believe has "targetted" gays.
Remember that one's race is not a choice (even those with genetic proclivity to
alcoholism can overcome it; one cannot overcome one's race).  Do you believe
that Jews should have minority status?  The Anti-Defamation League has never
sought it, as far as I know.  Neither have unmarried straight couples.  Why do
you suppose they've never sought minority status?  Perhaps because they realize
that minority status should be reserved for those who have suffered unjustly
through generations (like African Americans have).  I know that you don't agree
with Amendment 2.  You likely know that I do.  However, I haven't seen the
hate that you describe from CFV.  I certainly haven't seen it from the man who
has taken the brunt of the press about this (a man I know personally and
respect more deeply than nearly anyone else I have ever known due to both his
humility and his deep love for every fellow human, including those who are
gay).  In short, from first hand experience, I believe the hate to be coming
from those talking about others being hate mongers.  I have certainly felt
hated and attacked for my faith and views.
--
Steve Hultquist                          Open systems and networking specialist
Computer drone, powder churner                                     ISSC Boulder
Newsgroups: co.politics