As those of us in attendance know,
there were only two people who spoke in opposition to passing the
revised "HUMAN RIGHTS" Ordinance at last nights public
hearing. While it was indeed uplifting and hopeful to hear so
many of our CommUNITY, friends and neighbors speak with great
conviction, emotion and urgency that our Commissioners do the "right
thing" and approve the ordinance, I think it important to address
the concerns of those two opposing the measure.
To do that, however, one must
consider the language or semantics that have been used to cloud the
true issue. First and foremost, it is a HUMAN RIGHTS ordinance
not a "Gay Rights" ordinance. Second, the contested change
provides for protection against discrimination in the areas of
Housing, Employment and Public Accommodations. Thirdly, the
protection is afforded to a class of people based on Sexual
Orientation, NOT Sexual Preference. What's the difference you
may ask?
We speak of Human Rights as they
relate to our humanity and certain inalienable rights that our
Founding Fathers spoke of when they wrote those immortal words
"ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL". Since that time, when the signers
of that magnificent document were all Straight(?) White Anglo Saxon
Protestants, our beloved country has grown into a very diverse
place. It is only right and just that as we have evolved as a
nation, we have taken steps to re-interpret that document and affirm
that we believe now as they did then that indeed, ALL HUMANITY IS
CREATED EQUAL. A Human Rights ordinance does not serve to
extend any special rights to any class of people, but merely to
AFFIRM that all classes of people are equally entitled to those
rights in the face of those who would regard themselves as superior
or more entitled because of their own prejudices.
In regard to Housing, Employment and
Public Accommodations, it takes no rights away from providers of
those things to discriminate fairly or to choose the best
applicant. If a landlord is a bigot and doesn't want to rent
to me, I would rather him say so. Since coming "OUT" and
endeavoring to live as one speaker said - "A full and honest
life", I've always been upfront with prospective landlords and
employers. And if any other business or public accommodation
doesn't want my money that's just as green as the next guy's, it's
their loss not mine. Personally, I want to reserve my
right to discriminate against their prejudices and not do business
with or work for them anyway. In any case, especially Housing,
there are so many other ways that people can discriminate legally if
they so choose. My own personal experience in Covington's
rental market as someone who is Gay, HIV+ and on disability, is
that I experience more discrimination in Housing -legally- as a
holder of a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher than as a Gay or
disabled person.
"Sexual Orientation" refers to the
recognized scientific, civil and humane notion that who one is
attracted to is as immutable as skin color. On the other hand,
"Sexual Preference" refers to things like doing it in a public
park. As far as I know, irregardless of Sexual Orientation,
that is an illegal activity. The ordinance does not grant
immunity or protection of ANY KIND against any act so deemed AGAINST
THE LAW. The majority of us in the GLBT Community are
just as offended as any other citizens by such actions. I
firmly believe that if we make that clear, we will calm the fears of
the Grandfather who likes to frequent Devou Park with his
grandchildren.
Unfortunately, what the ordinance
will do nothing about is the personal prejudices the other
opposition speaker unabashedly admitted to: "Believe it or
not, there are still some people out there, as archaic as it may
sound, who still believe that a family consists of a daddy and a
mommy and a couple of kids. And anything other than that, they find
objectionable".
August 27
...the reward of patience is patience. --
St. Augustine
If we are patient, we will
have patience. Patience breeds patience. It allows us to
move with the flow of nature, to breathe in time to the breathing of
the earth. Patience is the name for the rhythm of
harmony.
After so many years of wanting
things to happen "my way", finally letting go of our demands is a
great relief.
Patience works hand in hand
with trust. When we trust that events are unfolding according
to plan, we can relax and be patient. When we trust in God's
will for us, we don't worry about working our will. When we
trust all that happens will be exactly right for us, we are free to
live in the moment.
Patience is healing.
When we are patient with ourselves, with our process, with our
recovery, with our body, we are able to let go of disease-causing
stress. We can relax into our healing
