Time 4 Trans Justice

(sigh and frown) They’re at it again–the right-winged conservatives trivializing what should be basic human rights for all people, and turning them into rights only for the select few who are straight and, supposedly, normal. This article, written by the American Family Association, states that,

“Activists insist that ENDA must be passed in order to protect homosexuals. “Qualified, hardworking [gay and lesbian] Americans are denied job opportunities, fired or otherwise discriminated against for reasons that have nothing to do with their performance and abilities,” says the Human Rights Campaign.

“This discrimination effectively denies qualified individuals equality and opportunity in the workplace, HRC explains. Those who experience this form of discrimination have no recourse under current federal law or under the Constitution as it has been interpreted by the courts.

“But just how many homosexuals have experienced “this form of discrimination?” One looks in vain at HRC’s Web site for any concrete numbers. Instead, the lobby group basically contends that because this kind of discrimination could happen, homosexuals must have federal protection.

“Of course, this does not demonstrate that homosexuals are being fired because of their sexual orientation. Technically speaking, HRC’s argument could be made for countless categories of people. For example, there is no law in any state that says a person can’t be fired for having a beard, being a New York Yankees fan, or preferring mint chocolate chip ice cream. But that doesn’t mean they are.”

Now I ask you–what the heck kind of reasoning is that? It’s circular, because they are essentially saying that if a=b, then b=a, so therefore, a=b=a=b. They aren’t making a bit of sense in that they are not seeing the actual issues. Their question, “So perhaps the question before Congress should be: Are homosexuals being discriminated against in sufficient numbers to justify federal intervention?” really doesn’t make sense either. How does being fair and just to your fellow human being, regardless of who they are sexually attracted to, or the gender they identify as, have to be “justified” for federal intervention? And why do we need cases upon cases to prove that we are human beings with the same rights as everyone else?

Here’s another nugget for you: “…concerning a nonexistent problem.” Non-existent?? Obviously, they have closed their eyes to what exactly is happening and why we need protection like everyone else does. Isn’t it bad enough to be beaten and killed by living our lives? Do they not see this? Why should we be excluded from the protections and basic human rights that these same “Christians” get? And yet, these same people get upset if their way of life is threatened. And I know this is true, as I have spent many, many years in a very conservative church that worshiped on Saturday. They were all about saving the world from the “evil” that would threaten their very same freedoms that they want to keep away from our LGBT community.

I have a confession, though. I couldn’t get through the entire article, because I got so tripped up by the crap they were spewing everywhere and I got angry. With all this happening against us, we need to fight even harder to protect ourselves from the crap they are giving us.

Let me leave you with this baloney that the article spewed out, and my conclusions: “Christians should not underestimate the potency of this weapon in the public-policy wars, however. Because our country has, in the past, been guilty of real discrimination against minorities, we as a people tend to react guiltily to anyone’s claim that they, too, have been wronged.”

First of all, what is “real” and”fake” discrimination? Discrimination is discrimination! Period! We are just as much a minority as those who have had “real” discrimination in the past. The only difference is that it is classified as a “sin” to many Christians. Well, once upon a time, it was considered a sin to be a different color–mainly black, as in the slavery days. And, many people used the good ole’ bible to make their claims. Now, I do not agree with that claim, just as I don’t agree that it is a sin to identify differently than how others identify. To take a line from that article, “a person can’t be fired for having a beard, being a New York Yankees fan, or preferring mint chocolate chip ice cream.” Now, I could say, and find support for in the bible, that being a Yankees fan is a sin. (And I am sure there are some that would actually agree with me!) Or, I could say that not having a beard would be a sin according to the bible. But what would be the point?

Next, why are people debating so heavily about federal protections for any particular class of human beings? Didn’t Jesus say to “love your brother (and sister, and whoever else) as yourself”? Well, let’s say that everyone in the LGBT community is a human being. If we are to love each other as ourselves, then why is discrimination even present?? Basic human rights: to be able to make a decent living, free from harassments, and to be safe from attacks based on orientation or gender identity. What is the harm in letting others live as they choose, so long as they are not infringing on another person’s basic rights? In living harmoniously with others, discrimination would not even be an issue. So…why the big deal on their part??