So
why fight these fights if the wave of change is clear?
It
seems to me, we sometimes hold on to what we think believe dear. And sometimes
we don’t see a bigger picture. To these politicians, being anti-gay is right.
Homosexuality is wrong, and therefore needs to be punished and squashed. So
they want to punish those who are gay.
As
their 2012 platform read, "We affirm that the practice of homosexuality
tears at the fabric of society and contributes to the breakdown of the family
unit. Homosexual behavior is contrary to the fundamental, unchanging truths
that have been ordained by God, recognized by our country's founders, and
shared by the majority of Texans."
The
current document, adopted in 2012, condemns equality for lesbian,
gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. There are multiple sections dealing
with the issue, including language that reads: According to a draft of the new platform, obtained by the San Antonio
Express-News/Houston Chronicle, that language is gone.
And
while that language is gone, there’s still this, “Homosexuality must not be
presented as an acceptable alternative lifestyle, in public policy, nor should
family be redefined to include homosexual couples. We believe there should be
no granting of special legal entitlements or creation of special status for
homosexual behavior, regardless of state of origin. Additionally, we oppose any
criminal or civil penalties against those who oppose homosexuality out of
faith, conviction, or belief in traditional values. We recognize the legitimacy
and value of counseling which offers reparative therapy and treatment to
patients who are seeking escape from the homosexual lifestyle. No laws or
executive orders shall be imposed to limit or restrict access to this type of
therapy.”
The
vast majority of state Republican platforms still contain anti-gay language.
According to a count by The Huffington Post, only seven states (and Washington DC) have no mention of
opposition to same-sex marriage or other rights for LGBT individuals in their
party platforms.
While
there are many more issues in the world (and Texas), than gay rights, I
continue to be amazed at the party’s political blindness. Is this not seen as
pointed discriminatory thought? Do these people not see that they are purposely
telling fellow humans that they do not have the same rights as straight people?
Let’s be clear, too, that this carries beyond marriage equality . . . it
carries into same-sex partner benefits, housing, job discrimination and even
so-called (falsely) “religious freedom” acts that enable business owners to
refuse to serve gays.
How
are those things different than segregation laws?
How
is “religious freedom” and different than keeping black people out of stores
and restaurants in days past? Or throwing women out of work because they’re
women? And on and on.
It
isn’t . . . and it’s shameful. The cover is religion . . . That’s how people
justify bad behavior, and have forever. Can’t we see what’s right and moral
without the cloud of religion inserted into our politics? Of course, should
anyone criticize that they are tagged “anti-religion” and are “waging a war” on
religion.
Nope
. . . I’m not anti-religion at all. Believe whatever you like . . . I’m just
anti-hate and discrimination. I think everyone should have the same rights as
everyone else . . . and no group of people should be cut out of that. Simple.
I wonder if we denied Texans access to their
partners’ hospital rooms, threw them out of restaurants or fired them for being
Texans if they’d see the picture a bit differently. Maybe not . . . That’s the
problem with moralists . . . They think they are always right.
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