From: rdonahue@spdcc.com (Bob Donahue)
Subject: Re: Hypocrasy test: (was Re: Abortion: What does God say?)
Organization: insert anything here
Distribution: ne
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 1992 16:58:00 GMT

johne@or.credence.com (John Ewing) writes:
>rdonahue@spdcc.com (Bob Donahue) writes:

>>	Should this crew gain more power it will be interesting to
>>see how a further loss of rights to 25,000,000+ gays and lesbians in 
>>this country will affect them... or if anyof the mainstream will care.

>As I understand it, "this crew" is NOT talking about gays & lesbians losing
>any rights.  However, "this crew" IS talking about not giving them (or anyone
>else, e.g. heterosexuals, whoever) special rights/privileges.  "This crew" is
>talking about equal rights under the law to each individual.

	In other words: You don't understand at all.

	Define "special rights".  In fact, list them.

	Right now, if I go into the hospital, they can declare that
my lover not be allowed to see me, even if I request it, becuase
he has no legal relationship to me.  If I die, no matter what my
will says, my family can declare it invalid if it includes my
lover because legally he has no relationship to me.  Is this
a "special right"?

	Right now, if I apply for a job, in 44 states, they can 
ask my orientation and dismiss me because of that alone, no matter 
how qualified I am.  Is this a "special right?"

	Right now, if I apply for a place to live, or a loan, or
just about anything (in the same 44 states), I can be refused
solely because of my orientation.  Is this a "special right?"

	Right now, the rate of suicide among gay teens is 3 times
higher per capita than among heterosexual teens.  This stems
from the fact that they are taught society hates them.  Is this
a "special right"?

	Right now, it is possible for a judge to overturn the sentencing
of two murderers of a gay man because "in my opinion the sentences
are unwarrented because the victim was a homosexual and I don't believe
that their lives are worth as much as normal people.  I have a 17 year
old son and I would hate to see him go to jail just becase he killed
a faggot"  (This happened in Texas in 1989.)   The overturn stuck
because gays and lesibans are not a protected class and therefore
introducing this bias is legal.

	"Special rights" - my dimpled ass.

	On the other hand there are two pieces of lesiglation
pending in Oregon and Colorado which will amend the state Constitution
making it illegal for any state or local government agency to
in any way promote or facilitate homosexuality.  This means that
no books will be allowed in libraries that portrays homosexuality
in anything other than a negative way (in other words *inequal*
representation), groups of gays/lesbians will not be allowed to
use any state/govt owned facilities (i.e. parks, parades, etc. or
*inequal* treatment), schools and counselors will be required
to teach that homosexuality is a morally wrong lifestyle - any
student going to a counselor concerning his/her orientation
will (by law) be told that he or she is immoral and such actions
should be avoided at all costs.  Given the aforementioned
suicide rate, I doubt this law will help many teens.

	As soon as we *are* equal - then we'll talk.  Until then
get your facts (if you'll pardon the expression) straight.

	I'm curious, how many of your gay, lesbian, or bisexual
friends and family have you talked to about this?

BBC