Gay Rights 'Creates Discrimination'

[sunshine]

Gay Rights 'Creates Discrimination'

by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: March 17, 2005 11:03 am ET

(Helena, Montana) Legislation to include gays and lesbians in Montana's human rights law is discrimination against Christians foes of the measure have declared at a House committee hearing.

"It's an abomination in God's sight," Peter Merkes of Helena said of homosexuality at a House Judiciary Committee which was holding public hearings on the bill.

"You're asking Christian people to support with their tax money something that is diametrically opposed to God's word," he told the committee. "We cannot go there. God's going to hold you accountable."

Another citizen appearing before the committee complained of "drag queens," "French-kissing men" and those who march in gay pride parades dressed as priests and nuns.

Gene Williams said the bill is part of an effort by gay and lesbian activists to "eventually force total acceptance of homosexuality by citizens of this nation."

"The American people will not allow this cultural degradation to prevail," Williams said.

The legislation has already passed the Senate which for the first time in years is controlled by Democrats. In the past Republicans were able to kill gay rights bills.

The bill would add sexual orientation to the state's human rights laws against discrimination in employment, public accommodations, housing, financial transactions, education, job referrals, licensing, training programs, government services and funding, and public contracts.

"This bill is really about fair treatment," said Sen. Ken Toole (D- Helena) the bill's sponsor.

Among those speaking in favor of the bill was the Rev. F. Vernon Wright of the Plymouth Congregational United Church of Christ.

Like gender or race, homosexuality is not a matter of preference and should not be treated as such, he said. "One's inborn characteristics, one's innate nature, being in the nature of God is not wrong."

Republicans on the Judiciary Committee tried to kill Toole's measure immediately after the hearing, but the move failed on 10-8 vote.

[Urban_Legend]

Oy, people can't we just get along? I'm a Christian and personally, I don't care what they do. I worry about my own life. It kinda embarrasses when other Christians make all of us look bad, lol.

[knuckle50]

It's discrimination to Christians in the sense that big government is discrimination against old-school conservatives... it isn't. it's just something they disagree with.

[waccamatt]

Well I disagree with fundamentalist religion. Does that mean we can remove religion from anti-discrimination laws? If Montana can pass a progressive civil rights law maybe there is hope for South Carolina!

[knuckle50]

Well I disagree with fundamentalist religion. Does that mean we can remove religion from anti-discrimination laws? If Montana can pass a progressive civil rights law maybe there is hope for South Carolina!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Montana is trending heavily Democratic though, while SC isn't. Democrats took the governorship, the State Senate, and the State House all at once last election.

But one can always hope...

[waccamatt]

Montana is trending heavily Democratic though, while SC isn't. Democrats took the governorship, the State Senate, and the State House all at once last election.

But one can always hope...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

We're only a few years removed from having had a Dem Governor. If we could chop the Upstate part of SC off and give it to ...oh...Tennessee, maybe..we'd have a blue state.

[AmericanUrbanDesigner]

^^

[CtownMikey]

here is my counter attack lightsaber move to that first article---> religion is a sham