And Also The Other Side Of Gay Rights Ordinance

Catherine Pittman of South Bend Equality stands as a voice of reason and logic in the hate-filled debate being generated by the wingnut Patrick Mangan of No Special Rights. Pittman, a psychologist and professor, tells the South Bend Tribune's Jamie Loo that "[a]dopting the amendment doesn't mean that GLBT people have 'special rights,' because Pittman said being GLBT isn't a choice." Explainng further:

Pittman said she agrees with the American Psychological Association opinion that being gay is not a mental disorder. Pittman said being gay is just a difference."It's not more unusual than being left-handed," she said. "Some people are left-handed, some people are gay."Pittman said she knows some people who would "like nothing better than to be heterosexual.""They really wish they were and if they could change it I know they would," Pittman said. "But they can't, and the truth is the evidence just suggests that it's something that's decided for you."

Explaining the need for passage of the proposed ordinance, Pittman says, "If a GLBT person is discriminated against in employment, housing or education, the Human Rights Commission cannot handle the case." She notes that [t]he HRC has issued a statement asking the Common Council to come up with 'a remedy' to address GLBT cases. ""It's not that you would say 'Gay people are protected.' All people are protected on the basis of something we all have called sexual orientation." Pittman hastens to add that "[p]rotection under the law wouldn't impose quotas on employers to hire gay people."

"This is a concern of justice and fairness," Pittman said. "We think there needs to be a remedy." It's now the council's turn to decide. Let's hope they come down on the side of justice and fairness.