Bill outlawing bias toward gays, lesbians draws fire | Billings Gazette

[Ediacara]

Bill outlawing bias toward gays, lesbians draws fire

By BOB ANEZ
Associated Press

HELENA -- Montanans should be able to discriminate against gays and lesbians because their way of life threatens society and should be kept at bay, some critics said Monday in attacking a bill that would outlaw such discrimination under human-rights laws.

"We want the right to say no to something we really think is wrong," said Jeanette Zentgraf, representing Concerned Women of America.

Backers of the measure said it is long past time to extend anti-discrimination laws to a minority routinely subjected to mistreatment in many facets of life.

"It's time to lift our gay and lesbian neighbors up to the same level where non-gay and lesbian residents live," said Karl Olson, executive director for PRIDE, a gay-lesbian advocacy group.

More at the Billings Gazette

[Skittles]

1. the Concerned Women of America

they are real pieces of work. I love the f***ing nonsense they choose to be "concerned" about. :puke:

[Erika]

6. agreed

The Taliban would love them.

[BlueJazz]

2. It causes me such great pain to know that such Laws.....

...are necessary.

To think that we,Human Beings, need laws to tell us to be kind to each other....How Fucking Pathetic...

[WindRavenX]

3. I just think all these so-called "adults" need to go back to Kindergarden

You know, when we all shared, played nice, and were generally able to get along with the other kids- even if they were different?
Sigh.

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. Hm. "Threatens society"? How?

Heterosexuals will STILL engage in pair-bonding and breeding without homosexual discrimination; homosexuals have constituted roughly ten percent of the human population pretty much forever, and I don't notice any decay of society as a result.

This sort of ignorant, bigoted stupidity is quite sad, yet quite frightening at the same time...humans, after millions of years of evolution and thousands of years of social progress, STILL seem to have an irrational fear of difference (SOME humans, anyway...and I use "human" generously).

[Der Blaue Engel]

5. The Billings Gazette!

Oh, my goodness...I'm unreasonably pleased to see a Billings Gazette article featured. :bounce: (I was born in Billings; please pardon my off-topic glee.)

Needless to say, it saddens me to hear such hatred and ignorance coming out of the mouths of Montanans, but it's heartening to hear that there at least is such a bill being put before the Montana legislature. I see that similar bills failed in 1999 and 2001, though. :eyes:

I wonder if there's anything a former Montana resident can do at this point to encourage the MT senate to pass it?

[chicagojoe]

9. Write to the reps/sen. in your hometown.

Do you still have family there? Get them involved.

[Der Blaue Engel]

11. Alas, no

I was born in Billings but haven't lived there since 1969, and have no family there now.

But I did e-mail the senator sponsoring the bill and offer him my support. I asked if e-mails to the state senate from nonresidents would be useful. I'll report back with his response.

[donheld]

10. You had the same thought i did

I'm sorry there are some in Billings who are wanting to chose discrimination, but i'm very glad to see that Equal rights is even being concidered in Billings.

[Der Blaue Engel]

12. Billings was the subject of a PBS documentary a few years ago

called "Not in Our Town" ("the inspiring story of how the residents of Billings, Montana joined together to put an end to hate violence in their community").

I was never more proud of my little town than when I saw that. :)

[lazarus]

7. Oh, now I get it

"We want the right to say no to something we really think is wrong..."

They seem to think that gay relationships will be forced. They have the right to say no to being in a gay relationship. Just like gay marriage, it's optional.

[Pushed To The Left]

8. These are the same people

that would have been upset in the 60's about the civil rights movement. These people are opposed to equality and freedom. Those that support equality and freedom need to band together to destroy the political movement of these religious extremists.

[Catfight]

13. God, IDIOT! n/t