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January 05, 2008
Time for ex-gay hate crime protection?
Posted by: Chris
I couldn't resist sharing this priceless argument made to a committee of the New Jersey Assembly against adding "gender identity" to New Jersey's hate crime law, which already covers "sexual orientation" as a protected category:
Gregory Quinlan of New Jersey Family First identified himself as a former homosexual and said he felt discriminated against because former gays are not included as a protected class under the proposal.
However, attempts to amend the bill to include people who identify themselves as formerly gay or transgendered failed to gain support in either the Assembly or Senate.
The legal irony here is that if Quinlan were the victim of a crime based upon his (alleged) former sexual orientation, it most likely would be covered by the existing law. I say "most likely" because ex-gays are rarely (ever?) so victimized. As a result, the actual question has never been put to the test (that I'm aware of). But it would flatly irrational for the law to protect someone if they're gay or straight but not if they're straight but used to be gay.
Still, if Quinlan were right, would that mean transgender protections should wait until the votes are there to also cover the ex-gays -- not to mention the formerly transgender folks who decide to revert back to their biological gender?
(Dude with the 'do: Quinlan photo circa 1998 via ProFamilyNetwork.org)
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Comments
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I have only met Greg once (twice?) but remember discussing this type of argument with him. I don't agree with this approach in that I don't agree with hate crimes legislation in general. I don't believe in them for a whole host of reasons, most of them secular in nature. Because of that I think adding "ex-gay" would be self-defeating and really not wise. It's an affirmation of the fracturing of protected classes which I believe undermines true civil rights gains.
Chris, I think you would be surprised at some of the things we, the infamous "ex-gays", deal with. You might think we deserve it but consider the following few examples. A lady was killed by a gay man in Chicago because she shared that she thought he could "change." I know a couple in Georgia who's son was killed by his partner when he decided to leave him because of his religious beliefs. We have received bomb threats and I personally have had to call the cops twice because of stalkers who apparently believe that I deserve to be "silenced" and took some actions to start making that happen.
That doesn't include all the phone calls, emails and all that.
I was violently attacked for being gay but I was also attacked by one of my partners, repeatedly, during the same time. I can tell you though, I have received many many more threats of violence from the gay identified community than I ever did from homophobes. Probably because my place in the community (over-arching not simply the alphabet soup) has changed.
One of the things I have learned by living on both sides of the fence is that hatred and bigotry is a human condition... and the gay identified community is not immune. I've also learned that the supposed "culture war" is a heckuva lot more complex than most really want to figure out. Most assume the issues are irreconcilable and I think that is lazy.
Even with all of that, I believe the 14th amendment and existing law covers us all. I do believe that assuring equal protection for all is very important. We shouldn't have to pay local law enforcement to do the job they are already commissioned to do (current federal hate crimes bill adds money to sweeten the pot for local law enforcement.)
I am criticized for being a "hater" and "bigot" for my stands on some of the moral, spiritual and public policy positions I have taken. That doesn't negate the fact that, if I were able, I would willfully rush to the defense of anyone being attacked for any reason. All crime is hateful. I do want people to be able to live in freedom without fear of being physically attacked.
Hate crimes legislation will not address the real issues that may still exist. Old school activism, laughing at others lives and preconceived notions won't either.
I hesitate to post this but I will anyway.
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Hate Crimes legislation in general does not address the cultural problem other than recognizing it which is a primary and necessary step. Not reported was that this legislation also strengthened the Anti bullying law and created a Commission to directly address school bullying in order address ignorance and bias early, often before sexual orientation is manifested. You know, those sissy boys and butch girls!
To effect cultural change, one must educate the young.
Interestly enough, that supposedly ex gay individual was somewhat delusional as he complained that a couple transgender witnesses were harassing him by "giggling" as they talked about the effectiveness of reparative therapy. He also claimed that the Judiciary Committee committed a hate crime on him. Pathetic new conservatism?
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I would just like to say to Mr. Quinlan that no one hates him--just his ex-gay BEHAVIOR. And he could change that if he wanted to.
(And that photo of him reminds me of a comment by Kate Clinton when asked whether she believed Janet Reno was gay. Her response: "I don't know, but her hair is.")
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You know - I have enough trouble dealing with the social and political liabilities of being gay. Forget about being x-gay. Or x-x-gay, for that matter.
If you're for real and not just a sarcastic avatar --- for God's sake, take your self-inflicted baggage and retreat into the footnotes of our movement.
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If you're for real and not just a sarcastic avatar --- for God's sake, take your self-inflicted baggage and retreat into the footnotes of our movement.
The comments to this entry are closed.
Dawn Keeler on Jan 5, 2008 10:44:38 AM:
Happy New Year to you. Thank you for your new lovely Blog and for all of your hard work. Thanks to what I read here I pretty much know who to vote for. Not that you and I agree at all, but I respect our differences. Honestly I have a hard time following politics as I see them all selling their souls for 30 pieces of silver, making empty promises, narrow-minded view certainly but thank you for your faith and interest to help people like me out
Be Blessed
PS I loved that translation video, I roared laughing too!!!!
Do keep us informed as to your comings and goings from Argentina/Brazil...interesting