November 2, 2004

By Staff
It's a sad, pitiful world we live in when we claim that hate and discrimination against someone because of who they love is the "Christian Way." Although homophobia is identified as a fear, it is not a fear in the clinical sense. It is pure ignorance: Ignorance because of all the misinformation given by the media, "religious" groups and anti-gay organizations.
How can anyone say that gay people "choose" to be gay? That is the most ignorant statement ever made. Why would anyone choose to be a way that is going to give them torture and fear? You can no more choose to be gay then you can choose to be straight.
It's time for the hate and torture to end. If you could choose, then the millions of kids and adults killing themselves would choose to be straight instead of ending their lives.
I looked up some statistics and here is what I found. Students who describe themselves to be gay are five times more likely to miss school because of feeling unsafe and 28 percent are forced to drop out. More than 80 percent of gay victims of hate crime violence never report the crime for fear of being outed about their sexuality. Forty-two percent of homeless youth today identify themselves as gay. In a study of self-identified gay youth, 41 percent reported suffering violence from their families, peers or strangers. Gay youth are four times more likely to commit suicide than their straight peers. More than half of male youth suicides are gay youth. Students harassed because someone thinks they are gay are five times more likely to attempt suicide.
This is sad, people. Why can't we all get along with each other and stop hating people for being different? Homosexuals are also denied the advantages of marriage. These advantages include heath insurance, tax benefits and visitation in a hospital. All are given to heterosexual couples. A partner also has no right to funeral arrangements or to assume ownership of property (even when jointly owned).
This is wrong. This is America, land of the free. Everyone should have the same benefits as anyone. It's not going to affect my marriage or anyone else's if Moe and Joe get married. The only thing that will change is they will both have rings on showing their commitment to each other. They will have the same benefits shared by us heterosexual couples. Wouldn't this be right?
After all, all men are created equal, right? Vote no today on the constitutional amendment.
Michael Edwards – Meridian
Now I'm mad. Seems as though I have been threatened by Eddie Sandifer of the Gay Alliance in Jackson. Well, not me personally but every voter who plans to vote yes in favor of the amendment banning same-sex marriages. Let me quote what I read that he said, "I would tell them to vote no. In the long run, it's going to cost taxpayers a lot of money to fight this thing in court, and we're going to take it all the way to the Supreme Court."
Now correct me if I'm wrong but to me that sounds like a threat. Or could this be voter intimidation?
Now, Nsombi Lambright, executive director of the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) says if the amendment passes it opens the door to discrimination. "It is a silly attempt to continue the states legacy of hatred and bigotry." Legacy of hatred and bigotry? Excuse me? I think that was her silly attempt to cloud the real issue of moral decency vs. detestable behavior. I get so tired of people making it sound like we are the worst people in the U.S., like we haven't changed because of our past.
My Bible tells me that gay is wrong. Leviticus 18:22. Matthew 19:4-5 tells me that marriage between a man and woman is right. America was founded as one nation under God. I vote we keep it that way.
Canada just voted to allow gay marriage and I hear it's beautiful there in the fall. Belgium and the Netherlands also allow gay marriage; they sound like exotic locations. Get my drift?
I'm not a religious zealot or whatever, I just know the difference between right and wrong. I thought I had mixed feelings about this issue but not any more. That one threat has opened my eyes. I can see clearly now. The fight is on. People with Internet access should check out this very informative Web site, www.Biblegateway.com.
I am voting "yes" to the amendment and not ashamed to admit it.
Pat Smith – Meridian