Marlo
14th November 2012, 21:18
Salina to vote on equality ordinance
Sunday, October 07, 2012 6:58 AM
By CHRIS HUNTER Salina Journal
...
"We don't believe homosexuality is a natural thing," Noland said. "We don't believe it is how people were intended to be. Whether it is a choice or not, this ordinance shouldn't affect deeply held religious beliefs."
Martens said sexual orientation and gender identity are not choices. He said scientists are still studying the issue.
"Individuals in the LGBT categories concur that, why would they choose a life that causes them difficulties, discrimination and pain?" Martens said.
The American Psychological Association website notes that people experience "no sense of choice about sexual orientation."
Martens said sexual orientation and gender identity are no more a choice than race or gender.
Couch disagrees.
"There is scientific evidence that it isn't a born characteristic," Couch said. "I'm not a geneticist so I can't give specific data, but I think it is out there. Gender and race are outward characteristics that we don't have a choice in. They are out there for people to see. If people see me, they would see I am a man. I can't see someone on the street and say they look gay to me or are a lesbian."
...
The city in which I'm living (temporarily), Salina, KS, has repealed their recent ordinance for the protection of the LGBT community in this recent election. This allows for people like me to be denied a job, housing, any sort of service, and get no protection because that's their god-given right to religious liberty.
I was wondering what sort of defense I may have with this sort of thing had any discrimination against me or others occured. I have secure housing and a job right now, so it shouldn't be a problem, but I do have a gay friend that permanently lives here and has to worry about her and her children's lives.
Sunday, October 07, 2012 6:58 AM
By CHRIS HUNTER Salina Journal
...
"We don't believe homosexuality is a natural thing," Noland said. "We don't believe it is how people were intended to be. Whether it is a choice or not, this ordinance shouldn't affect deeply held religious beliefs."
Martens said sexual orientation and gender identity are not choices. He said scientists are still studying the issue.
"Individuals in the LGBT categories concur that, why would they choose a life that causes them difficulties, discrimination and pain?" Martens said.
The American Psychological Association website notes that people experience "no sense of choice about sexual orientation."
Martens said sexual orientation and gender identity are no more a choice than race or gender.
Couch disagrees.
"There is scientific evidence that it isn't a born characteristic," Couch said. "I'm not a geneticist so I can't give specific data, but I think it is out there. Gender and race are outward characteristics that we don't have a choice in. They are out there for people to see. If people see me, they would see I am a man. I can't see someone on the street and say they look gay to me or are a lesbian."
...
The city in which I'm living (temporarily), Salina, KS, has repealed their recent ordinance for the protection of the LGBT community in this recent election. This allows for people like me to be denied a job, housing, any sort of service, and get no protection because that's their god-given right to religious liberty.
I was wondering what sort of defense I may have with this sort of thing had any discrimination against me or others occured. I have secure housing and a job right now, so it shouldn't be a problem, but I do have a gay friend that permanently lives here and has to worry about her and her children's lives.