The modern social issue of equality among those of differing sexual orientations is reminiscent of the days of racial segregation. It echoes the same central idea: you are different, and because you are different, you are clearly in the wrong. And, because you are in the wrong, you do not deserve the same rights as those who adhere to the norm.
The debate over gay marriage absolutely infuriates me. Politicians tread on the topic like it is a mine field, careful to acknowledge its existence while at the same time not addressing their views on it directly. It is obviously a conflict of interest. If a politician firmly establishes their support or lack of support for gay marriage, the mine field goes off. There go the voters. There goes the election.
President Obama's campaign does just that. While some may call his ambiguous approach to the subject of gay marriage prudent, I call it somewhat cowardly. We need to take a stand, and the time to take it is now.
Before I address gay marriage further, I want to discuss the root of my present anger. The root of my anger began to sprout, or rather was reignited, by the story surrounding Jennifer Tyrell, former den mother of Ohio Pack 109's Tiger Scouts.
Ms. Tyrell was ousted from her position as den mother because of her sexual orientation. Right before becoming treasurer for her local Boy Scout troop -- where her seven-year-old son was a member -- she was asked to resign for being a lesbian. Allegedly, the Boy Scouts of America believe that their scouts should not be exposed to issues surrounding sexual orientation.
When you hear of the Boy Scouts, you think of an honest organization, dedicated to instilling positive values in America's male youth. In fact, according to the organization's website, its Scout oath boasts that a scout is both "mentally awake and morally straight." Morally straight, huh? Maybe, the organization takes their oath a little too literally, as noted by Alfred P. Doblin, Editorial Columnist of New Jersey's The Record, in his piece, "It Doesn't Get Better than the Boy Scouts."
A Supreme Court ruling in 2000 allowed the Boy Scouts of America to continue discriminating against individuals based on sexual orientation. Today, we see the sick results of this ruling.
Because a person is a homosexual, they have to be treated differently?! Why? How does their homosexuality threaten the lives of those around them? How does it pose a threat in anyway? If someone could intelligently answer that question for me, I might be swayed. The thing is, that is never going to happen. There is absolutely no justification for prejudice and discrimination.
Society creates a stifling agenda. To fail to fit in is to fail as a human being. Despite the advances made in instigating sexual awareness, LGBT activists still have a long way to go. Individuals still feel pressured to hide their true sexual orientation for fear of being rejected by their friends and family. Everyone has the right to be their own person. It is despicable to advocate otherwise.
Organizations should not be allowed to discriminate against an individual because of their sexual orientation. Similarly, a person should be allowed to marry whomever they want.
Sexual discrimination needs to be addressed directly by today's politicians. Homosexual individuals should be allowed to hold whatever positions they want (whether in a private or public domain) and marry whomever they want. Homosexuality is not some devil-given condition.
I myself am a heterosexual teen, but I will not stand by and allow dogmatism to proliferate.
Open your eyes, America.
It is disheartening that even in this area of posting those of us who do not agree with a few who believe they are the leaders just quietly do not post responses. I am not talking vile things..I am just not one who wants to be silent any longer....I am over 60, retired and tired of making excuses. I will no longer fight windmills..you confront me I will tell you how it is...I am in the top 5% of the educated people of this country..and I have no tolerance for the defenses we continually use, including it gets better. Give me a break..the only better is when you get old enough to tell them where to go or no longer deal with families, religious leaders and others.. Ironically, the thing that makes me strong is the thing they hate the most..my independence....
We are 20,000,000+ strong and we are NOT going away..and we will NOT be silenced by ignorance.
When is it ever okay to let civil rights slide? Is discrimination tolerable, ever?
Maybe I'll "evolve" over the whole issue, but in the meantime, my checkbook has remained closed.,
Mmmm, no. No I don't.
When I hear of the Boy Scouts, I think of an organization that swore in front of our highest court that the presence of even ONE gay person in a leadership position would interfere with their ability to function as an organization.
(Their argument is akin to the KKK's insistence they shouldn't be legally required to accept black members. It is a valid argument, but it is unspeakably vile.)
This was all because they wanted to fire James Dale, a former Eagle Scout and then Rutgers student. Had Mr Dale been accused of suspect behavior? No. But the BSA decided it was crucially important to their organizational mission to attack, persecute and vilify Mr Dale specifically and gay people generally.
While the BSA was busy confronting the Lavender Menace in the Supreme Court, the BSA National Head of Programs Douglas S, Smith, Jr., a married father of two, was busy trafficking child pornography.
While I admire your courage and your stance I believe that you do need to give the president some leeway on this. President Obama has done more for the LGBT community than any other president ever. The progress does seem to drag on sometimes but it is moving. I am 45 yrs old and have been in a civil union for 5 ½ years now, and I can tell you that we anxiously await the day that our relationship is recognized by the federal government. Hopefully before something God forbid happens and one of us passes and the other is left with no rights concerning any protections or benefits. I would like to believe that you will see President Obama come out with a stronger stance towards this issue after he is reelected. But that is just it; he needs to get reelected first. He cannot afford to drive away voters over this, and I cannot imagine the steps backwards we would all take if someone like Romney were to be elected President. We have gained more ground in the past few years than ever before and with youth like you we will continue and the pace will quicken.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely
Troy
Too late for us, but everyday that is lost, costs someone something. I do hope that your experience will be different, but at your age, I put a lot of hope in Bill Clinton. What a huge disappointment!
Best of luck to you, Troy.