Editorial: Local gay rights
A moral victory over discrimination
Protections of gay rights in the work place depend on support from the grass roots, not leadership from politicians.
In April, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones signed an executive directive against job discrimination based on sexual orientation for city government workers, and announced the policy at Equality Virginia’s annual Commonwealth Dinner.
The event marked a victory, of sorts, for the gay-rights advocacy group, which has tried and failed to get Virginia’s General Assembly to include sexual orientation as a protected class under the state’s anti-discrimination law.
June 12, 2011 - 8:20 AM
If being gay is makes you a protected class, then you must be different from heterosexuals. If being heterosexual is different from being gay, then why can’t heterosexuals also be a protected class? If there is a gay pride flag, why not a heterosexual pride flag, or is that like wearing an American flag T-shirt on Cinqo de Mayo? Please don’t tell me you are no different from anyone else (for any reason, not just sexual orientation), and then ask for special dispensation or treatment. Come on fellow fatties, pass the butter. (Victor Buono)
I am not sure you grasp what makes a protected class Searching. It is not about “being different” from whatever “norm” you care to choose. It is about being a minority among any class or group of people. The disabled, elderly, juveniles, different races and religions all can be as hetero or homosexual as they can be, but they are still protected. They are protected as a minority that might be excluded or discriminated against. Certainly no one can argue that gays are not discriminated against.
I think we have to understand that for all intents and purposes, heterosexuals are basically a ‘protected class’. In Virginia, and many other states, you are not at risk of loosing your job if you come out as heterosexual. Chances are pretty slim that you would be denied housing because you are an opposite sex couple. There is a thing called “Heterosexual Privilege” that must be considered …just as there is white privilege, male privilege, christian privilege, etc. the LGBTQ community is not asking for any ‘special rights’ as some believe. They are just asking to be treated the same and be allowed the same rights and responsibilities that heterosexuals receive. Is it a ‘special right’ to be able to provide for my family? Is it a ‘special right’ for me to be able to visit my partner in the hospital? Is it a ‘special right’ for me to be able to have a job without fear that someone will find out I’m not heterosexual and fire me?
Building on what OtherSilentBob said:
Do heterosexuals have to hide their sexuality out of fear or possible discrimination?
Are heterosexuals expected by their families, friends, co-workers, communities, and government to date and/or marry someone of the same sex?
Do heterosexuals feel like people will only identify them by their sexuality, treat them as “different” or an “other,” or ostracize them for their sexuality?
Do heterosexuals have to be cautious of revealing their heterosexuality, because of the very real possibility of rejection, threats against their lives, physical attacks or murder?
Are heterosexuals bullied in school because of their heterosexuality?
I’ve lost track; are we supposed to…
a) …not notice that someone is gay?
b) …notice that someone is gay, and point out that we noticed that someone is gay?
c) …notice that someone is gay, and pretend we did not notice that someone is gay?
d) …notice that someone is gay, pretend we did not notice that someone is gay, and let people know that while we noticed that someone is gay, we are pretending we didn’t notice?
It reminds me of my “enlightened” cousin in Boston who, every time I visit, trots out her gay friend, always making the same introduction, “Cousin Bob, meet my gay friend Steve!”…and then watching closely my reaction.
(I don’t know what reaction she (my cousin) is looking for, else I would try to accommodate her. I think my offering my hand and saying “Nice to meet you, Steve” must disappoint her somehow.)
It ended when Steve turned to my cousin and asked, “Why do you only call me when your cousin is in town?”
IDK 89Hoo, are we supposed to:
a) …not notice that someone has a different skin color?
b) …notice that someone has a different skin color, and point out that we noticed that someone has a different skin color?
c) …notice that someone has a different skin color, and pretend we did not notice that someone has a different skin color?
d) …notice that someone has a different skin color, pretend we did not notice that someone has a different skin color, and let people know that while we noticed that someone has a different skin color, we are pretending we didn’t notice?
Perhaps your cousin had little faith in you knowing the right answer.
6 – my comments were mostly tongue-in-cheek, Sandi, but I will point out that someone with a different skin color is a little more noticeable than someone who is merely gay (except that minority of gays who wears the “I Am Gay” armband).
And my cousin – “Perhaps your cousin had little faith in you knowing the right answer” – well, I would ask you, then, what IS the right answer? I actually would assume it’s Option A (Do Not Notice), or more accurately, Do Not Care.
Unless gays truly DO stand out in some way I am unaware of, in which case, I am guilty of Option A…is that the right answer?
The right answer would be, ‘yes we met last time” same as it would be for any other friend she introduced to you more than once. ‘My plumber friend Steve’, ‘My attorney friend Steve’, “My I need to identify my friends Steve’. Her point I cannot fathom unless it is a habit or she thought you would have some reaction. The first time you meet a gay person your answer should be the same as the first time you meet anyone IMO. “Hello, pleased to meet you”, until proven unworthy, it works every time.
You’re a terrific straight man, Sandi, no pun intended.
“I am not different, I am not special. By giving me special treatment, you make me different”. This applies to color, creed, gender, etc., etc.. My first wife had a crippling disability. She understood that this had changed her life forever. She was the exact same person I had married years earlier…but…now she was different. Yes, she was treated differently, but never asked for, or demanded special treatment or dispensation. She was a much braver, stronger person than I will ever be, because she never saw herself as different or special. I never introduced her to anyone as “my crippled wife”. There was no need.