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Is Gay Activists' "Civil Rights"
Claim a Machiavellian "Scam?"
Most people, both gay and "straight," who are concerned with the "gay
rights" issue believe the intent of "gay rights" to involve the legal
protection of homosexuals and their behavior, so as to (1) prevent
homosexuals from suffering "discrimination" and (2) enable any "gay"
person to "claim discrimination" under civil rights laws.
However, this understanding is now incorrect -- because
gay activists and "gay rights" supporters have, in fact, redefined the
issue. Here is a current operative definition of "gay rights"
as gay activists and their attorneys themselves now
define the concept: "Gay rights" involves the acquisition by
all self-allegedly gay, lesbian and bisexual people of a special,
"protected" status under civil rights law equal to that enjoyed by
recognized "minority" groups, BASED SOLELY ON HOW ANYONE CLAIMING
TO BE GAY, LESBIAN OR BISEXUAL MERELY SAYS HE OR SHE
DESIRES TO ENGAGE IN SEX.
Notice that "gay rights," as avowed gay activists and their supporters
now define them, are not awarded based on how people have
sex, nor on how they want to have sex, but
solely on how they say they want to have sex. This
distinction's full significance will become clearer as you read on, but
for now, let me say this:
"Gay rights" advocates have taken sexual BEHAVIOR out of their
definition of "gayness." Therefore, whether "gay rights"
opponents approve of homosexual behavior or not, or believe homosexual
behavior is "immoral" or distasteful has no relevance to the
legal and constitutional arguments gay activists are now
presenting. In fact, every member of a currently-recognized
"minority" class in America could (God forbid) become a criminal sexual
deviate tomorrow and not lose their "minority" status.
The criteria by which the U.S. Supreme Court defines "minority" (or
what's known as "protected class" or "suspect") status simply do
not involve questions about sexuality or "morality" as these terms are
commonly understood. What's more, civil rights authorities
typically view class social deficiencies as proof of
"minority" qualification. Thus, gay militants benefit
from attacks on their behavior, which make them appear
more "oppressed."
For these reasons, the analysis that follows doesn't discuss homosexual
behavior or "lifestyles" as a primary issue. For whether or not "gay
rights" becomes national policy, and homosexuals, bisexuals and lesbians
become recognized as a nationally protected "minority" class will not be
determined by either "moral" or even "public health" considerations, but
strictly on the basis of whether gays as an entire
class meet the criteria the U.S. Supreme Court has established
for "minority" status. Strictly speaking, we must regard the issues at
stake here as ethical, rational and political rather
than as defined by a particular "moral code."
NO AGENDA ???????????
THIS is produced by Gay and Lesbian Educators
"Challenging Homophobia In Schools" is a comprehensive new professional resource produced by Gay and Lesbian Educators
of BC (GALE-BC). It was sent to Pro-D. reps in all public schools in B.C. by the B.C.Teachers' Federation (B.C.T.F.) in
September 2000. This is the first resource of its kind in B.C. to deal with the complex reality of homophobia and heterosexism
in schools. "Challenging Homophobia In Schools" received funding and support from the B.C.T.F., B.C. Human Rights
Commission and twenty-seven local teacher associations and unions around the province.
This resource includes lots of practical lesson plans from K-12 as well as a rationale on why schools need to teach about sexual
orientation. A comprehensive background section on homophobia and heterosexism includes information on: negative myths
perpetuated against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people, coming out issues, counselling ideas, violence
prevention strategies, dealing with anti-gay slurs and how to support students by starting gay-straight alliances in schools.
Teachers are provided with lots of concrete, practical strategies and lesson plans written by classroom teachers. The resource
section provides a wide range of age-appropriate classroom resources from K-12 as well as parent and professional resources.
Community groups and support services for LGBT people and relevant web sites are also listed.
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