Joy Wintersgill – 6/18/06

This page was last updated on June 18, 2006.

Stop being homophobic; Joy Wintersgill; Beaver County Times; June 18, 2006.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“Why are lawmakers worried about banning gay marriage?

“Banning gay marriage or civil unions isn’t a high priority on my list. It shouldn’t even be an issue. Wake up, people, and stop being so homophobic.”

[RWC] It took only four sentences for Ms. Wintersgill to start name-calling. Why must I be a homophobe if I oppose changing the definition of marriage to include two members of the same sex, whether both partners are heterosexual or homosexual? This is the same tactic used by people who believe in special treatment based on race or sex. If you don’t support the special treatment, you are labeled as a racist or sexist.

Oh yeah, not all homosexuals support redefining marriage. Are they homophobes as well?

It may not be high on Ms. Wintersgill’s list, but the vast majority of Americans appear to believe otherwise. During May 2004, various polls indicated 70-75% of Americans believed marriage should include only a man and a woman, and 38 states - 76% - already had “defense of marriage” acts. Further, during the 2004 general elections, 11 states had defense of marriage amendments on the ballot. All 11 amendments passed with significant majorities (maximum of 86%, minimum of 57%, 8 passed with 66% or greater).

“To all of the Christians out there with their political agendas, I have one thing to say as a Christian myself: Didn’t Jesus say ‘love your brother as I love you.’ Isn’t God in heaven the ultimate judge?

“Don’t waste your time judging others. Do you think gay people enjoy being discriminated and persecuted? Do you think they ‘choose’ to be gay? Why can’t we accept gay people for who they are?”

[RWC] Earth to Ms. Wintersgill. All of our laws are based on judging what behavior we accept and what we don’t.

Homosexuals aren’t being discriminated against when they are not allowed to marry a member of the same sex. The law applies equally to heterosexuals and homosexuals. Two heterosexuals aren’t allowed to marry if both are the same sex.

“Gay and lesbian couples should have the same rights as anyone else who wants a life-long commitment. Legally, marriage is a contract of commitment to one another. The contract is only severed by filing for divorce.”

[RWC] “Gay and lesbian couples?” Aren’t lesbians “gay?”

“I don’t care if gay people marry or form a civil union to have the same benefits of married couples. I want to see a child adopted into a loving, caring household and not enrolled in the foster care system.

“If a gay couple can provide a loving, caring and nurturing environment, why not? I don’t think their sexual preference would dictate what that child will become. I don’t think sexual preference is a learned behavior. It is hardwired into children before they are born.

“Gay couples who want to commit to each other legally should have every right to do so. They should be able to make legal and medical decisions the same way married heterosexual couples can do. They should have the same benefits and be allowed to adopt children.”

[RWC] Homosexual couples can already “make legal and medical decisions the same way married heterosexual couples can do.” It’s a simple process of visiting a lawyer and signing living will and power of attorney documents.