How many of you, in supporting gay rights, have used the argument that discrimination is unfair because being gay, like being black, isn't a question of choice? And yet, an it harm none, why shouldn't we be defending the right to a freely-chosen life? Excellent piece over at Shakespeare's Sister: Reframing Gay Rights: "A wise start to reframing this argument is to leave behind the repeated invocations of the standard and tiresome fare, ‘It’s not a choice.’ If Liberals are to be true to their words that my rights end where yours begin, then we must acknowledge that whether homosexuality is a choice or not has no bearing on whether we defend the rights of gays and lesbians. The whole point of a free country is allowing people the freedom to make decisions for themselves as they best see fit, including whether to choose a partner of the same sex. A same-sex relationship does not infringe upon anyone else’s rights, so whether it’s by design or choice shouldn’t make a dime’s worth of difference to any Liberal intent on protecting the freedom and rights of all Americans."
(Via Terry - get well soon.)
Posted by geoff2 at January 22, 2005 10:28 AMStrange, I have never used the argument that being gay isn't a question of choice. To me, sex is an intimate form of communication between the people involved and as long as the people are consenting adults it is really no one else's business.
Gay, straight, bi, non-sexual all deserve the same rights under the law.
I am not a liberal in the sense that I don't like labels or being pigeonholed by group agendas. I do feel that people in the US, regardless of social or political bent, should be actively concerned with protecting the rights and freedoms of all Americans.
Geoff - Thanks muchly for the link.
I happen to be married to an expat Brit, so your blog is a nice find. I'll be sure to pass on the link to him. He'll no doubt enjoy.
- Shakes
Posted by: Shakespeare's Sister at January 24, 2005 10:33 PM