Friday, February 10, 2012

Intolerance for Gay Americans Remains Strong

It would appear that gay bashing is making a comeback - or that it never really left us. Some recent headlines have brought the issue to the forefront. Frankly, it all makes me sad.

This weekend is the big CPAC 2012 event in Washington, D.C. Hosted by the American Conservative Union (ACU), it is noticeably without a sponsor from the previous two years - that of GOProud. A conservative gay organization, they were the targets of some anti-gay bigotry from some other CPAC sponsors and they were denied sponsorship for this year's events. It should be noted that GOProud has never focused on the social issues - it clearly states that its mission is to support and encourage issues from a fiscally conservative philosophy.

Who is the ACU? From a recent press release:
The American Conservative Union is America’s oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization and was founded in 1964. The ACU has hosted CPAC in the Nation’s Capital since 1973.

The oldest and the largest grassroots conservative organization. I don't know about big political organizations in D.C. but here in my city the grassroots organizations are interested in growing memberships and encouraging all to join in with their causes. Encouraging bigotry and allowing bullys to hijack the conservative agenda at such a large event is not the way to go, if you ask me. And, it certainly plays into the storyline from the liberals that conservatives are bigots. I know that we are not, but it is unfortunate when the critics get ammunition from our own side.

Recently CNN contributor Roland Martin spewed a bit of anti-gay bigotry on his Twitter account and was suspended from the network. His bigotry surfaced in his tweets about soccer players. Soccer players being less macho than football players, you see. CNN did the right thing.

During last Sunday’s Super Bowl, he tweeted: “Ain’t no real bruhs going to H&M to buy some damn David Beckham underwear! ..If a dude at your Super Bowl party is hyped about David Beckham’s H&M underwear ad, smack the sh@t out of him! ” and “I bet soccer fan Piers Morgan will be in line at H&M in the morning to get his hands on David Beckham’s underwear line! LOL.”

This was in reference to a TV ad with soccer star David Beckham shown wearing nothing but his underwear.

Yes, Virginia, there are anti-gay bullys on the liberal side of the political aisle, too. And, as to be predicted, Martin's supporters are angry that he was sanctioned.

And as a grand finale to the recent events, one group claiming to represent a million moms called for a boycott of the J.C. Penney Company because they named Ellen Degeneres as the new spokesperson. Fortunately the company showed courage and did not cave to illogical demands by replacing her or taking back the agreement with her. I haven't shopped with J.C. Penney in years but I'm thinking that will soon change.

So, yes, this nastiness comes from both sides of politics. It is wrong. It must stop. Especially for a party who preaches valuing the dignity of all human beings, it is time to stop the blatant hatefulness. Bigotry of any stripe is wrong. Is this what you teach your children? Or do you condone thoughts that gay Americans are less than fully entitled to freedoms enjoyed by straight Americans?

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