Should sexual orientation be protected by civil rights laws in the same way that race is?
Much of the discussion in the trial over the constitutionality of Prop 8 has focused on whether or not being gay is a choice, as well as historical discrimination against homosexuals. What do you think?
Misisipi Mike
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Several years back there was an added question to whether being gay was a “choice.” Anti-gay forces tried a scare tactic warning of youth being “recruited” to homosexuality. A friend tried to image this recruiting poster. Maybe it would read:
“You, too, can be reviled by most of society, be disowned by family and friends, and live under the threat of losing your job. But wait there’s more! You can also look forward to being beaten to a pulp! Switch to the Gay Side today!”
Since all of the above are real possibilities for anyone who is even perceived to be gay, it should be clear that people attracted to the same sex don’t “choose” this any more than those attracted to the opposite sex do. That’s just the way they are.
This is a no-brainer. I find it hard to believe that the question of sexual preference versus sexual orientation is still on the table. In my mind, discrimination is an act of judgment against others based on characteristics over which they have no control: physical appearance, family background, religious or ethnic history, and, yes, sexual orientation. As Americans, we should have the right to make our own decisions about who we choose to marry, and why. We don't, however, have the right to determine who others get to marry.
Today's courtroom discussion centered around whether gay and lesbian individuals and couples still suffer discrimination: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/13/BAOQ1BHNT8.D...