The Segregation of the Homosexual

Today while flipping channels I came across a black minister decrying the argument which equates today's gay civil rights movement with yesterday's black civil rights movement. He said it was immoral and offensive.

Shame on that segment of the black community which falsely believe they alone are entitled to civil rights and the demand for equality under the law. It is even more egregious when leaders of the black community purport to speak on behalf of God and morality. They do not, in fact, speak on behalf of God; rather, they speak on behalf of their own ignorance and poor judgement.

Great anger I feel toward those who use the power of their pulpit and the false illusion that they are somehow messengers of God's will to promote hatred, marginilazation and vilification of a small minority of homosexuals in this country. We homosexuals simply want equality under the law.

The argument that to sanction the legalization of same-sex marriage would be disastrous for society and families is a specious one. This argument is built fundamentally on the belief that same-sex partnerships are impure whereas heterosexual partnerships are pure. This is why the phrase 'sanctity of marriage' is no better and no less evil than the phrase 'purity of race' was. Both promote the superiority of one group of people over another.

Also, the argument that homosexuality is a behavior and not an inborn innate characteristic is outrageously fallacious. Those who promote this 'behavior argument' say that whereas blacks could never choose not to be black - gays could choose not to be gay. This is an attractive and powerfully seductive spin on the choices some minorities make when trying to live along a hostile unwelcoming majority. Time and again, black or gay, some who could pass for white or straight have chosen to do just that. Even some women who desired to be educated found it necessary to pass as men in order to partake in rights and priveleges not offered to them because of inequalities and injustices in the societal beliefs of their time.

The light skinned black family who chose to pass as white during the time of segregation in order to avoid certain injustices and cruelties obviously does not add weight to the argument that being black is a choice or behavior. Likewise, the gay man or woman who chooses to pass as a heterosexual in order to avoid certain injustices and cruelties does not add weight to the argument that being gay is a choice or behavior. When possible, some people simply choose to fit in over all other considerations.

And to the idea that same-sex marriage would be against 'God's plan' - as some churches would have their congregants believe - I say this line of argument is itself evil, immoral and shameful and ought to be fought against mightily by gay and straight alike. Promoting the denigration of a small group of people in the name of God is itself one of the most arrogant, false, and delusional uses of the power of faith that exists. Yet time and time again, history shows that organized religion misuses its influence.

Instead of being on the forefront of enlightening their flock to the diversity of the world and its ever changing mystery, organized religion has forcefully resisted new information and ideas. Organized religion, over and over throughout history, has fought vehemently against those who dare to question its perfection and authority.

Ultimately, it is rather absurd that so many continue to ignore history's lessons as they apply to the willingness of men to use the power of organized religion to promote their own prejudices and opinions as gospel truth divinely inspired from on high. This temptation to transform evil into righteousness by cleverly invoking the name of God is just as powerful and abused today as it was millenia ago.

Kentucky and US Citizens: vote no to the state and national constitutional amendments which seek to enshrine into law the segregation of the homosexual as inferior, second-class and unequal.

Also see: Throw Rice Not Stones & Shame.org