The Cincinnati Enquirer |
Editorial Page
|
Nov. 6, 1998 |
| The recent action by the Supreme Court on Issue 3 means that we now live in a city which officially tolerates and silently encourages discrimination.
What does this teach the children of Cincinnati about respect for all people? Are they learning that this is a world in which people are less worthy of respect because they are different? The death of Matthew Shepard, a young gay student, is an illustration of how far the fear and hatred of an unpopular minority can go. The belief that there are parts of the population which are "deserving" vs. "undeserving" of basic human rights leads inevitably to discrimination, bigotry and violence. It is now the moral responsibility of those who conceived of and supported Issue 3 to speak out against all forms of violence, whether it is the thoughtless "gay joke," discrimination against gays and |
lesbians and, certainly, murder. Silence is equivalent to approval.
Our children must hear messages of respect and non-discrimination for all people. They must hear these messages in the classroom, from the pulpit and in the public forum. For five years our organization, The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), has worked to assure that each member of every school community is valued and respected regardless of sexual orientation. As we mourn the loss of a bright college student in Wyoming, more than ever we need to teach respect for all people.
Kathy Laufman, North Avondale, Jan Smith, White Oak, Edward Hausfeld, College Hill
|
 |
 |
