Mine

Following are some Letters to the Editor I have written about GLB issues:

According to the August 3 article, “Petitions seek vote on gay marriage,” the Ohio Campaign to Protect Marriage will submit signatures to the Secretary of State’s Office to put on the November ballot a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban same-sex marriages, and even civil unions in Ohio. It is sad that members of this group believe their marriages are so damaged by the loving relationships of committed, monogamous gay couples that they feel compelled to write discrimination and bigotry into the Ohio Constitution. This proposed amendment asks Ohioans to cast a vote for hatred and intolerance and to drive even more people from this state which is already in trouble. Since over half of all marriages already end in divorce, shouldn’t the group look for other solutions to their problems rather than for scapegoats?

Since the majority of the Supreme Court struck down the Texas ant-sodomy law, Canada announced the intention to legalize same-sex marriages, and Bill Frist and others have said they would support a Constitutional ban on gay marriage, we again hear how same-sex marriage would be a threat to the institution of marriage. Though I do not follow this argument for many reasons, I especially see one major irony. First, statistics researched and compiled in 2002 by Gulnar Nugman of the Heritage Foundation show that 54.8 marriages out of 100 ended in divorce in the United States. Out of 93 countries, this is the highest rate. Secondly, an old study conducted in 1994 by the National Opinion Research Center states that 15-17% of married persons admit to infidelity while William P. Wilson, M.D. writes in a February 12, 2002 article, “Comments on the current scene: a contemporary look at events in our society,” that 50% of married partners commit adultery. Finally, so many persons who argue about the sanctity and beauty of the institution of marriage do all they can to prevent gay persons from living together in loving, celebrated, recognized monogamous relationships. The irony is clear. Maybe it is not gays and lesbians who are the threat to the institution of marriage

Americans held a conversation when they debated, and voted on gay marriage issues. The people of this country argued whether or not we really believe that all persons are created equal and are entitled to equal rights under the law. We discussed whether or not we want liberty and justice for all. On election night, many states loudly decided that some people are deserving of second-class status and that some people are not worthy of liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Americans, the conversation is only beginning for, as Thomas Jefferson so eloquently stated, those rights are inalienable and are granted not by people but by the Creator. We gays and lesbians are not going away but will more loudly demand the same rights others possess.

In response to Sarah Strain-Smith’s letter of November 9, marriage is a civil contract that need not be sealed in a place of worship. The struggle of gays and lesbians to enjoy the rights and responsibilities of marriage has no connection with churches or other religious institutions. This great effort is for the right to visit a loved one dying in a hospital, to make decisions for a life-partner who is incapacitated, to have family health insurance to help our families in times of catastrophic illness, to receive pension benefits given a husband or wife upon a partner’s death and thus help prevent bankruptcy. It is a fight for these and many other rights and responsibilities given to heterosexuals who marry. In a government that is to honor the separation of church and state, the struggles we gays and lesbians endure and the oppressions we face daily, are very much about civil rights. The passage of Issue One made this oppression the law of the state. It also encouraged us to fight harder to bring to fruition truths upon which this country was founded.

As a gay man who loves this country and who believes in its ideals, I continue to read with dismay comments from the Bush Administration about people like me who are born gay or lesbian. The Republican Party clearly is using gays and lesbians to create division within this country. Shouldn’t Bush and the GOP strive to unite the citizens of this country rather than to divide us? Shouldn’t government work to bring more and more persons under the umbrella of the Constitution and the ideals expressed in statements such as “liberty and justice for all” and “We the People?” From the many comments I hear and read, I truly feel that this administration does not believe in equality for all persons and that it considers me, and those born like me, to be inferior second-class persons. Is this the message the President of the United States wants to send to the citizens of this country? It is the message many of us are receiving. This is not the message Kerry and Edwards would send. I urge the Bush administration to end its attack on the gay community and to work, instead, for unity and for the ideals of this country.
Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Stuart Friedman ruled this week that a woman’s domestic abuse charge against her live-in boyfriend could not hold since it "would recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals" which would conflict with the Issue 1 amendment approved by Ohio voters in November. (“Ruling in domestic-violence case could set precedent,” Dispatch March 24). First, no one should ever be subjected to abuse. Yet, I am ashamed to admit that I read of the ruling with some amount of glee. A large majority of Ohio voters did not care that their amendment stripped me of rights and protections. They did not care that they voted to make thousands of Ohioans second-class citizens. They did not care that they made it legal to discriminate against thousands of Ohioans because of who we are born to be. They did not care that they voted hatred and bigotry into the state’s constitution. Now, they reap what they have sowed. No one deserves abuse, but maybe that is what it will take to make the majority of Ohioans understand their own hatred and bigotry. So, sadly, I read this ruling with glee but also with hop
After reading articles and letters in various newspapers complaining about schools allowing students to participate in the National Day of Silence, I went to the Day of Silence web site to read more about this student-led silent action. The “Day of Silence” recognizes and protests the discrimination and harassment of gay and lesbian students. Participating students choose not to not speak but show a card that reads in part, “ I am participating in the Day of Silence, a national youth movement protesting the silence faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their allies. My deliberate silence echoes that silence, which is caused by harassment, prejudice and discrimination.” Organizers urge students to gain permission from their school district and to be reasonable in their actions. The leaders, in fact, tell students to participate vocally in class when need dictates. They also state that students should ask permission of their teachers to not speak in class. Even though no student in my classes has ever taken part in this quiet and orderly national event, I would not find this student-led action objectionable or a waste of class time. In fact, as a citizen, I am always pleased to see young adults involved in the issues of society even if I may or may not agree with their position. Schools prepare students to think and to be productive citizens. How can we ask them to become aware of their world and their role in it, and encourage them to take part in the processes of democracy then not allow them to take part in a national event or to even think about the world of which they are a part? Since American values call for equality and for bringing more and more persons under the umbrella of the principles expressed in our founding documents, we need these courageous students who recognize oppression and discrimination and who choose to fight against injustice in our society. I, for one, applaud the actions of these students.
Recent court cases found that unmarried straight couples may not be protected from domestic abuse. William J. Healy II of Canton, therefore, has introduced a bill to close a loophole in Issue One, the constitutional amendment that prevents gays and lesbians from marrying and receiving recognition, protection and benefits given to a legally married man and woman. ("Bill would end domestic-violence loophole," Dispatch 4/19) The introduction of this bill further underscores the fear and bigotry that caused a large majority of Ohioans to pass Issue One. Now some people want to close a loophole to protect straight couples from abuse. They do not, however, understand that Issue One is nothing more than state abuse of those of us who are gay or lesbian. When does Ohio plan to close the loophole in its hatred?
So many letters to the editor and editorials about the presidential elction suggest that only straight, churchgoing, fundamentalists are value voters. Yet, when I read about the war in Iraq, the "your'e with us or against us" approach to leading a country, the corruption in Congress, the gathering power of the Executive branch, the emphasis on preemption and secrecy, the hatred of proposed Constitutional amendments, I read mostly about Bush and fundamentalist Republicans. I, however, believe in honesty, integrity, treating others as I would like to be treated, striving to reflect the love of God, being a good neighbor, charity, caring for the planet, and caring for life beyond my own. I am a values voter, I am gay, I attend church and believe in God’s love for all creation, and I did not deliver for George Bush
This administration hurt so many people. In its rush to war, well over 100,000 persons are now dead and countless other persons are in grief. In its rush to create robots for corporations, No Child Left Behind has taken the joy out of learning and the joy out of childhood. In its rush to create an America that reflects a narrow vision of God, gays and lesbians are now targets of hatred and discrimination. It is time that we Americans rush to the polls and elect leaders who will restore the hope and vision of this country
On October 29, defense attorneys for Aaron McKinney offered a dangerous and ridiculous excuse for the admitted robbery, kidnapping and murder of Matthew Shepard, a man who was gay. They suggested that McKinney “snapped” when Shepard made a sexual advance on McKinney. Does this mean it would be perfectly understandable and excusable for me to rob, kidnap, beat and leave to die a woman who might make a pass at me?
When speaking at Rod Parsley’s statehouse rally for Reformation Ohio, Blackwell, a Republican hopeful of becoming our next governor, said "Reformation Ohio is about history-making times, reforming the culture. We are a government that governs only with the consent of the governed." According to the Washington Post (“Group Starts Move to Get Converts, Voters,” 10/14) Parsley hopes to convert Ohioans to his vision of Christianity, and register them to vote. He opposes gay rights and has even written that demons inspired the teachings of Islam. Have Ohioans become so fearful of the world that we would even consider converting the state into a fundamentalist theocracy? Hopefully Ohioans will not consent to being governed by narrow minded persons who have forgotten our country’s diversity and core values.
Donald Hill states that “there is no good reason” why the Historical Society should document the “perverted lifestyle” of gays and lesbians. (“Society Shouldn’t Push Gays’ Harmful Lifestyle,” 10/21/2005). Actually, his letter to the editor is one good reason. Organizations such as the American Psychological Association have stated that “homosexuality is not an illness. It does not require treatment and is not changeable.” The APA also writes that “educating all people about sexual orientation and homosexuality is likely to diminish anti-gay prejudice.” Perhaps Hill should consider being one of the first in line to see how the Historical Society documents our past.
With pride, Phil Burress (Dispatch, Bush win in Ohio credited to marriage amendment November 13, 2005) says the anti-gay marriage amendment Ohioans passed last year "changed history. It appears as though it elected the president of the United States.” I f the passage of Issue One did change history, we Ohioans should be ashamed. The United States is now stuck in a bloody war in Iraq. With allegations of torture and abuse, much of the world has lost its respect for us. We have created conditions that aid in the recruitment of terrorists. With the Patriot Act we have stripped Americans of privacy and many civil rights. We have declared war on gays and lesbians. We have ignored persons in poverty in New Orleans, and we have left our children record deficits. Is this change something for which we should be proud?
The Methodist Judicial Council, the Catholic Pope, and Rod Parsley with other evangelical leaders have worked hard this past year to paint me and other gays and lesbians as sinful people unworthy of serving God and unworthy of having the same state rights given to heterosexual persons. They do this out of “Christian love” for me and millions of others like me who believe in God and who serve their country as good citizens. Out of Christian love, I often think I would like to form an organization that works to remind these people that Jesus condemns divorce (Mark 10:2-12), that women are not permitted to teach or have authority over men (1 Timothy 2:11-15), and that debtors can be sold into slavery if they are unable to pay what they owe (Exodus 22:3). But then I remember that Jesus said let him who is without sin cast the first stone (John 8:2-11)

I urge you to follow the issues and write your views for other people to consider.