The LGBT advocacy group Freedom to Work explains that ENDA “will make it illegal throughout the entire country for an employer to fire, refuse to hire, refuse to promote, or severely harass an employee simply based on his or her sexual orientation or gender identity.” Further, they explain, “ENDA exempts churches, religious organizations and religious schools.” (source)In fact, this bill provides such generous provision for religiously-justified discrimination, that many advocates think it is more dangerous than helpful.
Cue Timothy Cardinal Dolan and his mendacious band of bishops. Amongst other things, they complain that ENDA
(2) lacks a distinction between homosexual inclination and conduct, thus affirming and protecting extramarital sexual conduct; (3) supports the redefinition of marriage, as state-level laws like ENDA have been invoked in state court decisions finding marriage discriminatory or irrational; (4) rejects the biological basis of gender by defining “gender identity” as something people may choose at variance with their biological sex; and (5) threatens religious liberty by punishing as discrimination the religious or moral disapproval of same-sex sexual conduct, while protecting only some religious employers.Translated: they complain that secular employers cannot fire people like me: legally married, lesbian, and not working for a religious organization.
The Bishops want gay people to have no job security, because we might....MIGHT! ... be having sex. Look at (2) above: they want your employer to be able to quiz you about your sex life, regardless of what your job is, to find out if you are doing it.
Do the Bishops want to be able to investigate and fire people for having sex while unmarried, being married but having sex with someone to whom they aren't married, living in sin, using contraception, or remarried following divorce?
No. No, those forms of sexual immorality are no problem. This is about one thing: legalizing discrimination against gay people. The Bishops are saying, clearly, "gay people, whether or not they are Catholic, have no right to be employed."
It's wrong, and they should be ashamed of themselves. Alas, they have no shame left.
6 comments:
Agreed.
A few weeks ago, there was a story about a gay waiter who received, in lieu of a tip, a note that said "while you provided excellent service, we're not tipping due to your lifestyle, [and I quote] fag".
The Catholic Bishops statement is simply this, writ large.
I hadn't read about this incident. The full story can be read here.
According to the story, this was the full message left, which is even more shocking that JCF's summary:
"'Thank you for your service, it was excellent,' the customers had written, according to Pitch and The New Civil Rights Movement. 'That being said, we cannot in good conscience tip you, for your homosexual lifestyle is an affront to GOD. Queers do not share in the wealth of GOD, and you will not share in ours.'
"The customers continued: 'We hope you will see the tip your fag choices made you lose out on, and plan accordingly. It is never too late for GOD'S love, but none shall be spared for fags. May GOD have mercy on you.'"
The story does not say that the server was actually gay. Other than having sex on the table while they were eating, I don't know why they would have any thoughts about his sexual orientation, one way or the other.
OT:
Hola IT and friends. I have an announcement and I hope you will consider adding us to your various blogrolls:
We are a few months into a new Guatemala diocese mission here in Antigua. It is a English service (lots of English speakers and visitors here) and we are adding a blog (it started up yesterday) and soon a facebook page too. Please consider adding http://saintalbansantiguaguatemala.blogspot.com/ to the neighborhood blogroll. Thank you, Len/LeonardoRicardo
Felicidades, Leonardo (and the new Guatemala mission diocese)!!!
Another no-tip-to-a-waiter-because-you're-gay story - NJ Diner Leaves Anti-Gay 'Tip' for Lesbian Waitress.
Note on the bill, "I'm sorry but I cannot tip because I do not agree with your lifestyle and how you live your life."
The customers were jerks from the very beginning.
"Morales, who has been waiting tables on and off for 10 years, said she never told the family she was gay when she introduced herself.
"Normal introduction, 'My name is Dayna. I'll be taking care of you.' Right away the mom looked at me and said, 'I thought you were going to say your name was Dan,' Morales said."
Argh, don't read the comments on that story. Bunch of homophobe wingnuts and concern trolls. >:-/
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