The Cincinnati Enquirer |
Opinion Page |
Jan. 25, 1999 |
| I’m not an elegant writer or speaker, but I couldn’t go another day. It tears me apart when I hear people argue on Cincinnati’s Issue 3. I am a gay male, 25 years old. I was brought up in a very good home, I graduated high school, and am college-educated. I attended church most of my life and I have one of the most supportive and loving mothers that ever existed. Still, I had no option in picking my sexuality. I ask one question: If we granted legal rights to African Americans, then how can we deny rights to gays or lesbians?
We are one of the most advanced countries on the globe, yet we still lack many human rights when it comes to basic areas in life. Employment, housing and physical abuse are a few areas that need to be looked at when it comes to this city. Whether you agree with the homosexual lifestyle or not, we must all agree that human rights cannot be skimped upon. I agree with the flight attendant who wrote in a while back ["Issue 3 keeps group away from city" Jan. 12], until this city makes certain changes I will encourage no one to move here. The city of Cincinnati alone has lost close to $100 million in convention |
dollars from gay organizations and gay-friendly organizations. I notify businesses across the United States of America that our city doesn’t promote equal rights and many reply with a strict statement of not endorsing our city until change is noted.
How much more hate will thousands of gay and lesbians in southern Ohio have to endure before we take a serious look at implementing the protection that is so desperately needed? A radical thinker, Jesus, spoke up for the loving inclusion of all people. I don’t ask you to choose homosexuality; I ask that you choose love over hate and think before we speak/vote on issues that most certainly affect peoples lives.
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