Why It Matters -- or the scary stuff
Our purpose is to inform and motivate, not to just frighten.
When so many things demand our attention, it is difficult to make time for organizations like Houston Area Stonewall Democrats. Unfortunately, our lives are made even more hectic by the necessity of working for the most basic of rights. Our foes are formidable. They are tenacious, well-organized, and well-funded. Propelled by their belief of "doing the Lord's work", they marshal every resource to deny us our most basic constitutional rights.
The Texas Republican Party
Let's start with what Texas Republicans believe. The following passage is from page 14 of the Texas Republican Platform, adopted at their state convention in Houston on June 14, 2008. This is only a snippet of what they say about us in their platform.
. . . no homosexual or any individual convicted of child abuse or molestation should have the right to custody or adoption of a minor child, and that visitation with minor children by such persons should be prohibited but if ordered by the court limited to supervised periods.
-- Yes, you read it right. They just said that children must be removed from the home of their biological parent -- evidently, even if it means into CPS custody. Then, any visitation must be limited and supervised. That's after they equate us -- not compare us -- to child molesters. What is a more basic human right than parents caring for their children?
Free Market Foundation
This week, the Texas Freedom Network reported on the Free Market Foundation's latest assault on our rights. The email excerpt below recounts their take on the first ever Congressional hearings on Gender Identity. Obviously, the folks at Free Market are unhappy with the first congressional steps for basic civil rights are all of the GLBT community.
From: Free Market Foundation
Date: July 2, 2008
First-of-a-Kind Hearing on Gender Identity in Congress Last Week
Last week marked a milestone in Congressional history—a sad milestone for our nation. Democratic leaders in Congress caved to and championed the cause of radical pro-homosexual groups, convening the first Congressional hearing on discrimination against "transgendered" persons in the workplace. The event is a frightening step towards creating a special class for 'gender confused' individuals—men who wake up and feel like a woman will receive special protection under the law. For businesses, this would create moral and logistical nightmares. Not only will employers lose the right not to hire people engaging in the "transgendered" lifestyle, but they will be forced to allow men, who feel like women that day, to use a women's restroom and also accommodate cross-dressing individuals. This entire effect is an attack on religious freedom and the beliefs of most Americans. The government is now forcing its new morality on every citizen and business. Such legislation elevating sexual orientation, like ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act), is expected to pass soon, depending upon the upcoming elections. Get ready. The attack on religious freedom and freedom of conscience is coming first.
TFN does a great job of tracking those who wish to deny us our rights. You may want to receive their News Clips and Action Updates.
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What They Say About Us
Here are just a few links to groups who work to deny our basic rights.-
Warns about how the homosexual lobby intimidates companies
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Plano-based group whose goal is to elect their type of "pro-family" candidates
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Article about the children with a gay or lesbian parent
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ACLJ's commentary on same-sex marriage in California