6/14/2006 1:09:00 PM Letter: County proclamation raises questions
Editor, Leader:
Although I personally could care less about whether June is proclaimed “Gay, Lesbian, Transgender Month” or not, I do feel it raises some interesting questions.
First of all, what are the ramifications of the county’s proclamation and its stamp of approval on the Peninsula Pride Alliance’s agenda? Is this going to affect my life or my neighbor’s? Why should I care?
Secondly, where do you draw the line? Should we endorse July as “Interracial Relationship Month? If the county wishes to endorse one sub-section of our community in the name of tolerance and pride, then shouldn’t it endorse every other sub-section that has an agenda and a wish to make its community of preference more “visible”?
And thirdly, is it appropriate for the county, city or any local government to endorse lifestyle preference of any kind?
I don’t claim to have the answers to these questions, but I do know that this whole controversy frustrates me. I’m not frustrated with the fact that some people in my community are homosexual/transsexual, but with the fact that somehow they are proud of their orientation and that I should be as well. I fail to see how it is fair to use a county proclamation as billboard for the visibility of any sub-sect of our local community. It’s promoting a way of life that not everyone in the county is comfortable with.
The other sore spot for me is a matter of pride. How can someone take pride in a sexual preference/orientation? It seems to me that’s like being proud of your skin color or your gender. How does sexual preference affect one’s capacity to care for others or make this world a better place? My friends come from all walks of life and cultures, and the pride I have for them and they have in themselves comes from their capacity to love and grow – not from with whom they wish to do so.
It is my wish that the people of this community come together, regardless of orientation, on the issue of discrimination. However, I feel this should happen through resources other than the Board of County Commissioners. Community centers, newspapers, community bulletin boards and many other well-established forms of networking exist to help bring us all together. We should use these resources and practice community spirit to endorse the things that make us all beautiful, unique people. That would truly be something all of us can take pride in and would save our tax dollars for programs to improve our services and quality of the life here in Jefferson County.
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