Con-servative launches vicious attack on univ. domestic partner benefit

[kevinbgoode]

I posted this late last night in the general discussion forum, and it dropped like a rock without any response. . .but I think this is something that someone needs to be responding to, angrily. . .

You know, as a gay American who is pretty active about reviewing media content over these past two years, I've learned to get a fairly thick skin about some of the outrageous (and often mythical) things said about us by certain wingnut public officials and the "religious" Right. But after reading this little developing scandal in the Lexington Ky. Herald-Leader, it is increasingly obvious exactly what the agenda is for these wackos - complete demonization of our lives and identities.

I would encourage any DU'er in Kentucky to write this sorry-ass excuse for a state representative and give him a sharp piece of your mind. . .and if it moves you, to find the local newspaper (or the Lexington paper) and demand this asshole be censured. I am sick and tired of these "con-servatives" being allowed to say anything they like but the rest of us are suppose to just calmly absorb all the hate and vile behavior - because it is never...NEVER going to end. They won't be satisfied. Ban gay marriage? They get that. . .then they have to ban gay parenting. Then no gay benefits voluntarily offered by a university. How much longer before they ban gays on the street, or force them to wear a goddamned pink triangle? Well, maybe not so long, at least in Kentucky. . .because this guy makes a PUBLIC STATEMENT saying the state doesn't want "those people" moving there. . .

Benefits expansion at U of L criticized
CONSERVATIVES MAY SEEK TO BAN DOMESTIC PARTNER COVERAGE
By Brandon Ortiz
HERALD-LEADER STAFF WRITER
Social conservatives were angered yesterday by the University of Louisville's announcement that it will begin offering health benefits to the heterosexual and homosexual partners of unmarried employees.

Some lawmakers promised to pursue legislation to reverse the plan, announced Thursday, and warned the University of Kentucky against following suit.

"I think it undermines families," said state Rep. Stan Lee, R-Lexington. "It's a public university ... that is using taxpayer dollars to support and promote a lifestyle that the overwhelming majority of people in this state don't agree with."

In Lexington, the University of Kentucky is considering domestic partner benefits as part of a comprehensive review of faculty and staff compensation, spokesman Jay Blanton said. The human resources department is studying the issue and is expected to make a recommendation to UK President Lee Todd this fall.

Blanton said UK's decision won't be swayed by political pressure.

"We certainly respect the opinions of legislators very much, but I don't think there are political considerations with respect to this decision," Blanton said.

Ok...so far we have the typical wingnut talking points on this issue - giving an unmarried couple a health benefit is going to "destroy" families...then get this part:

State Rep. Kathy Stein, D-Lexington, welcomed the news, and urged UK to quickly follow. Stein said U of L was wise to act in the summer, six months before the General Assembly reconvenes.

"I think it will give time for folks to cool off," she said. "I wish (UK) would go ahead and get it done so (both universities) could stand together to withstand any 19th-century attacks."

She harshly criticized a comment state Sen. Dick Roeding, R-Lakeside Park, made Thursday to The Courier-Journal of Louisville.

Roeding told the newspaper that partner benefits are "very repulsive" because "I don't want to entice any of those people into our state. Those are the wrong kind of people

http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/15044637.htm


Don't get me started on what I think is repulsive. . .

[EST]

1. Yep.

Gay gardening is next.
These ignorant throwbacks will never, never stop. If they score even one victory, it won't satisfy them, just gear them up for the next disenfranchisement they want to tackle.
Craphead reversionists.

[ninkasi]

2. Those bigots make me sick

As a straight American, I am saddened that some groups will be satisfied with nothing less than having the ability to make life as difficult as possible for GLBTs. What possible benefit to society is grained by legislating hatred and spite? This is a question of human rights. Human rights are for all of us.

There is absolutely no excuse for letting bigots and hateful people spew their garbage to the extent that it results in denying people the most basic of human rights. Yes, they have a First Amendment right to free speech, as vile as it is, but when they act to keep people from being equal on the basis of their sexual preferences, that's a different story.

Over twenty years ago, my daughter's best friend poured out his heart to me, telling me that he was gay, and asking, with tears in his eyes, if I thought he was going to hell. I told him the truth...I don't believe in hell, but that he was one of the most beautiful people I knew, and that his feelings were not wrong, they were natural and normal for him. We talked for hours, and I held him as he cried, because it was the first time he was able to talk to someone who loved and understood him.

He was 14 or 15 at the time, and is now 40. He and his partner have been together for many, many years, love each other deeply, and have good jobs, pay taxes, and live a good life. They recently adopted a little boy, who is convinced that he is the luckiest child alive. He and his partner remain close to my daughter and me, although they live in a different state now. When I hear about the spiteful things conservatives to for no other reason than to cause pain to other people, I see red. My friends mom was an alcoholic, and committed suicide when he was about 19. I am mom to him now, and would do anything on earth for him.


The haters, and the bigots, and the religiously insane are only hurting themselves by refusing to acknowledge
a whole group of people because of their narrow minded, petty, twisted little minds and souls. A few years ago, my daughter was going through a difficult time, had broken up with her boyfriend, moved back to Houston after living in another city, and pretty depressed about it. This wonderful man who is our friend mailed her a "care" package. Scented candles, body lotions, chocolates, a whole variety of other things to make her feel better. He also enclosed a 100.00 bill.

Now I want the bigots, the haters, the twisted and warped, explain to me how this wonderful, loving, caring person should be sent to their hell. There is nothing they could say that would make me believe it.

[HockeyMom]

3. Private Corporations

Do these people plan to boycott them too? Have these people been living under a rock for the past decade? The majority of these large corporations now give "domestic partner" benefits to both gay and straight couples.

My niece used to work for a national office supply chain. When her live in partner (male) was laid off from his job, she not only supported him, but her company gave him benefits too. When he subsequently found a job, she quit her job to go back to college to get her BA and later her Masters. Because they were straight, 10 years later, when the time was right, they chose to get married. Of course, none of this would have ever happened if they were gay.

"Those people"? Well, THESE people make my blood boil. Why can't they live their own little, pitiful lives and leave everybody else alone?

[Creideiki]

4. Part of the two-prong assault

"You don't deserve to be 'married' because you can get the same benefits other ways."

"You can't have the same benefits because you aren't 'married'."

Round and round in circles it goes.