From: Martin.Brooks@gtri.gatech.edu
Newsgroups: ga.general
Subject: Re: Sad Day for Liberty
Date: 17 Nov 92 18:14:54 GMT
Distribution: ga

Items that are included under anti-discrimination law have all been put
in place because of historical patterns of unethical bias.  It is a
well established precedent for government to deal with this type of
problem to ensure reasonable fairness for all its citizenry. 
Anti-discrimination laws do not grant special treatment or protection
to any particular group, but they do place limits on the criteria that
are habitually used to promote abusive discrimination.

At first it may seem that existing laws should be sufficient to provide
protection for all citizens, but what happens in practice is that those
who are in charge of providing protection often allow their personal
prejudices to interfere with their judgement and duty.  This makes it
nearly impossible for some citizens to obtain justice without the help
of a clear legislative mandate to govern those responsible for
providing justice.

For citizens who are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, institutionalized
discrimination and harrassment have been the status quo not just from
employers and landlords, but also from our government agencies which
are supported by everyone's tax money.  This includes the very law
enforcement agencies we all depend on to protect our civil rights.  In
fact, it has been very common for victims of anti-gay or anti-lesbian
based hate crimes to not report the incident for fear of further
harrassment from the police.

It has even been difficult to get police departments to acknowledge
that all people are, in fact, potential victims of hate crime based on
the perception of sexual orientation.  This is an important point
because the effectiveness of a law enforcement institution is dependent
on its ability to identify the motive for a crime.  Fortunately, with
the help of community activists, progress is being made and felt in
this area.

Those who are subjected to constant discrimination due to bigotry can
have an intolerably difficult time functioning at their best.  That is
why I assert that anti-discrimination laws benefit all of society by
providing more social stability; and they don't even cost tax money. 
Those against adding certain criteria to anti-discrimination law
usually include those who ultimately wish to exercise unethical bias
against a particular group of citizens and those whose inexperience or
shortsightedness lead them to have blind faith in the effectiveness of
"the system" for everyone.

Unfortunately, those who are not frequently targeted for special unfair
bias can often have a hard time understanding how the "general broad
laws" do not work so well for everyone.  In fact, it has been my
experience that people, in general, make a lot of inaccurate
assumptions as to their own rights and protections under the law.  It
can be a very unnerving experience to suddenly find yourself slipping
through the holes of the justice system simply because you offend
someone's personal philosophy, ideals, or religious beliefs.  I've seen
it happen too many times to some worthwhile people who definitely
deserved better.

--
Martin H. Brooks
Atlanta


Harold:  What is that up there?

Maude:  Oh that's my umbrella.  That's just a relic.  I found it when I
   was packing to come to America.  It used to be my defense on picket
   lines and rallies and political meetings--being dragged off by the
   police and attacked by thugs of the opposition...

Harold:  What were you fighting for?

Maude:  Oh!  Big issues:  Liberty.  Rights.  Justice.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Harold:  So...  You don't use the umbrella anymore...  No more revolts?

Maude:  Oh yes!  Oh, everyday!  But, I don't need a defense anymore--I
   embrace.  Still fighting for the big issues, but now in my small
   individual way.

                              -- from the film "Harold and Maude", 1971