Seth Distefano defended equal rights of GLBT individuals in employment and public accommodation In a recent op ed piece in the Charleston Gazette. Below is a response posted to the Gazette website about that opinion article.
“No sane society can reasonably declare homosexual unions as the equivalent of a traditional marriage. While a heterosexual marriage provides the cohesion and procreation that any successful society requires, a homosexual union provides neither: There is absolutely nothing cohesive about a “Gay Rights Parade”; procreation by homosexuals is biologically impossible. And yet, despite engaging in behavior that clearly defies natural design, we are expected to accept such conduct as somehow being normal. But is there such a thing as a normal aberration? No.
To speak of “the rights of homosexuals” is like speaking of the rights of a thief, or the rights of a murderer, or the rights of a terrorist. After all, just because one engages in aberrant behavior that undermines societal structure and integrity, he or she should still be afforded the same preferential treatment and rights given to other minority groups, right? What utter nonsense!”
Posted By: smarbap (9:14pm 11-18-2008) Charleston Gazette
That’s right! This person thinks that you are unnatural and an aberration. He thinks you are on par with Criminals even though laws in the US banning homosexual sex have been declared unconstitutional or overturned by the states.
The real problem is that this person probably is a neighbor, a relative, a co worker or someone you may meet on the street. He or she hides behind the anonymity of the internet to share his opinion. They do this because they do not feel like they could say this in the open. Maybe it is because they know deep down in their heart is that it is wrong to hate. That’s probably a big maybe, but we in the GLBT community have a great deal of work to do. We have to get a person like this to understand that our rights have nothing to do with religion but with legal recognition due any member of our society.
Pride tries to get the message out. Pride is designed to call attention to our cause. Our events seek to not only unite a fragmented GLBT community in West Virginia, but to provide awareness of our plight to people who may not know someone who is GLBT. Unfortunately just having pride and showing up at parades, festivals, and fundraisers is not enough.
We need you sometime before early January to contact your elected officials at the state level. We need you to tell them that you want to be included as a equal member in the growth and progress of West Virginia. Pro GLBT legislation can only improve West Virginia’s image on the national and international stage. It will challenge the stereotype that we are uneducated, uncaring bigots.
If any of you need help finding out whom your elected officials are please call your county clerk and provide them your address. They will be able to tell you all the information you need.
Keep pushing, keep helping, and keep being out and proud.