DEAR STRAIGHT PEOPLE,

[Mel_and_Daniel 1]

My piece on the subject is that I find it strange that ppl are comparing issues of homosexuality with racism.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

My piece on the subject is that I find it strange that ppl are comparing issues of homosexuality with racism.

How so? They both involve marginalisation and discrimination against specific social groups.

[Mel_and_Daniel 1]

My piece on the subject is that I find it strange that ppl are comparing issues of homosexuality with racism.

How so? They both involve marginalisation and discrimination against specific social groups.

You're right. They both involve discrimination

Based on what I've read, the central issue here is around gay marriage either directly or indirectly. However, the issue of racism is in an entirely different class.

[GrenadianCrix 1]

ok...I just read through all 8 pages...and I have to say some of it was very hard to get through.

A couple of clarifications.

ACT UP stands for AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power. Their role in the early stages of the AIDS pandemic was instrumental in getting any government recognition and funding into this international crisis. This was previously left as a disease that would punish the wicked. ACT UP was part of a driving force to get former President Bush to appoint the first ever AIDS Czar to address the issue.

NAMBLA, North American Man Boy Love Association is a small group that attached itself to the gay movement. The group is commonly shunned by other participants during pride parades and other such gatherings. Gay does not equal pedophilia.

When Larry Kramer was asking for acceptance it was not because he wants people to sit around watching gay porn...and liking it. He was addressing the lack of legal acknowledgment that legally married couples and 'straight' individuals can enjoy. I have supported close friends after they have been evicted and/or fired because someone else outed them without appoval. That implies that there was no 'flaunting in their faces' instead these people lived a normal life, went to work and was just like anyone else except for who they loved.

The idea that asking for basic rights of housing, employment, education, protection from hate crimes, etc. is somehow asking for more than everyone else is confusing to me. How are those things more than everyone else?

People like Larry Kramer who is older but has had a life partner for most of his adult life can't assume that his loved one will be able to decide what happens if Larry was incompacitated ie. in a coma, or on life support. Instead the hospital would need to search for next of kin. Since they are not legally married, that would be a family member. It is not uncommon for gay people to be estranged from their families, not everyone is as accepting as Gary. So it would potentially be up to a person who has shunned Larry and not the person who loves him who would make this decision.

Some people may think that I am grasping to make a point...but this stuff is real. That is why the minority needs to be accomodated. Kramer argued that we all carry a responsibility to elect people that protect their constituency, gay people are in the constituency. Statistics show that aproximatly 10% of Americans are gay...that my friends is a lot.

Racism and Homophobia are similar in the way that both are discriminitory and withold opportunities available to the majority, both have had the bible used as an explanation/excuse, both have previously/currently made it illegal for two ndividuals to marry, and both are based on personal opinions and not fact. Remember, in the United States, we have something called separation of Church and State.

Sue

Edited April 9, 2007 by GrenadianCrix

[Alex+R 0]

ok...I just read through all 8 pages...and I have to say some of it was very hard to get through.

A couple of clarifications.

ACT UP stands for AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power. Their role in the early stages of the AIDS pandemic was instrumental in getting any government recognition and funding into this international crisis. This was previously left as a disease that would punish the wicked. ACT UP was part of a driving force to get former President Bush to appoint the first ever AIDS Czar to address the issue.

NAMBLA, North American Man Boy Love Association is a small group that attached itself to the gay movement. The group is commonly shunned by other participants during pride parades and other such gatherings. Gay does not equal pedophilia.

When Larry Kramer was asking for acceptance it was not because he wants people to sit around watching gay porn...and liking it. He was addressing the lack of legal acknowledgment that legally married couples and 'straight' individuals can enjoy. I have supported close friends after they have been evicted and/or fired because someone else outed them without appoval. That implies that there was no 'flaunting in their faces' instead these people lived a normal life, went to work and was just like anyone else except for who they loved.

The idea that asking for basic rights of housing, employment, education, protection from hate crimes, etc. is somehow asking for more than everyone else is confusing to me. How are those things more than everyone else?

People like Larry Kramer who is older but has had a life partner for most of his adult life can't assume that his loved one will be able to decide what happens if Larry was incompacitated ie. in a coma, or on life support. Instead the hospital would need to search for next of kin. Since they are not legally married, that would be a family member. It is not uncommon for gay people to be estranged from their families, not everyone is as accepting as Gary. So it would potentially be up to a person who has shunned Larry and not the person who loves him who would make this decision.

Some people may think that I am grasping to make a point...but this stuff is real. That is why the minority needs to be accomodated. Kramer argued that we all carry a responsibility to elect people that protect their constituency, gay people are in the constituency. Statistics show that aproximatly 10% of Americans are gay...that my friends is a lot.

Racism and Homophobia are similar in the way that both are discriminitory and withold opportunities available to the majority, both have had the bible used as an explanation/excuse, both have previously/currently made it illegal for two ndividuals to marry, and both are based on personal opinions and not fact. Remember, in the United States, we have something called separation of Church and State.

Sue

:thumbs:

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You're right. They both involve discrimination

Based on what I've read, the central issue here is around gay marriage either directly or indirectly. However, the issue of racism is in an entirely different class.

The reason the discussion focuses on gay marriage (or civil unions) is the fact that gay couples do not have equality under the law, and are effectively punished for engaging in an "unsanctioned lifestyle" - being unable to enjoy many of the rights that USCs would ordinarily enjoy under the bill of rights...

[Dr_LHA 3]

My piece on the subject is that I find it strange that ppl are comparing issues of homosexuality with racism.

Whether homophobia and racism are similar comes down to the question of whether homosexuality is a choice. Personally I believe it isn't. In which case people are being discriminated on based on aspects of themselves out of their control due to outdate ideas of "morality" based on selective reading of the Bible.

The fact is that society will be better off when everyone has equal rights and everyone is tolerant of people who are different from themselves.

[Scott & Lai 12]

You're right. They both involve discrimination

Based on what I've read, the central issue here is around gay marriage either directly or indirectly. However, the issue of racism is in an entirely different class.

The reason the discussion focuses on gay marriage (or civil unions) is the fact that gay couples do not have equality under the law, and are effectively punished for engaging in an "unsanctioned lifestyle" - being unable to enjoy many of the rights that USCs would ordinarily enjoy under the bill of rights...

Which of the rights under the Bill of Rights are they being denied?

[homesick_american 1]

I find it offensive that I am being lumped in together with the homophobes. The writer of this article does not get any respect from me.

I agree. I don't have a problem with gays, never have. I resent the implication that I hate gays simply because I'm straight. It's stupid.

[homesick_american 1]

He does have a point at the start of the article about the treatment of gays by public figures.

Ann Coulter causes a flutter of controversy by publicly referring to John Edwards as a faggot but more or less gets away with it.

Compare with:

Michael Richards - recorded on film, referring to a couple of hecklers as "niggers". He is publicly shamed and forced to make a public apology.

Mel Gibson - anti-semitic tirade after being pulled over for drink driving. He is publicly shamed and forced to make a public apology.

There is something of a double standard in the treatment of gays vs. other marginalised groups.

I don't think that's why Ann Coulter 'got away' with it. I think it's because A.) we all know John Edwards isn't gay, and B.) we've heard much worse from Ann Coulter and perhaps she's losing her shock value. Plus, it doesn't matter if you chastise her; she will never apologize and even if she did, it wouldn't mean anything. I just ignore her.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

You're right. They both involve discrimination

Based on what I've read, the central issue here is around gay marriage either directly or indirectly. However, the issue of racism is in an entirely different class.

The reason the discussion focuses on gay marriage (or civil unions) is the fact that gay couples do not have equality under the law, and are effectively punished for engaging in an "unsanctioned lifestyle" - being unable to enjoy many of the rights that USCs would ordinarily enjoy under the bill of rights...

Which of the rights under the Bill of Rights are they being denied?

Its in the article.

[mybackpages 0]

You're right. They both involve discrimination

Based on what I've read, the central issue here is around gay marriage either directly or indirectly. However, the issue of racism is in an entirely different class.

The reason the discussion focuses on gay marriage (or civil unions) is the fact that gay couples do not have equality under the law, and are effectively punished for engaging in an "unsanctioned lifestyle" - being unable to enjoy many of the rights that USCs would ordinarily enjoy under the bill of rights...

Which of the rights under the Bill of Rights are they being denied?

5th amendment- nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law

Bill of rights only applies to the federal government unless incorporated by the 14th amendment, The 14th amendment requires states to treat all citizens equally under the law. The full faith and credit clause could also apply as some states recognize marriage but other states do not.

[almaty 19]

bump

[Velvettt 0]

Straight, gay... love is love. Is there so much of it in our world that we can refuse to accept where it comes from? Every time I hear that tired old "homosexuality is a sin", I make sure to check the bumper sticker on the car of the person saying it. It always says something like "God is love". What a bunch of hypocrites.

[eric&gen 0]

If you check the wrong bumper it could be a rainbow sticker lol