Letter to the Editor: Response

This is my response submitted to the Herald Journal in response to a letter from Steven Bell. Link to the Letter is here.

Time will tell if it is published or not.

“The GLBTA office is a resource office, library and safe zone for ANY student on campus. I have never been a victim of any anti-LGBT threats, abuse or violence in Cache Valley and I hope I never will be, but there are people who have experienced these things for either real or perceived sexual and gender identities. The office and the separate, self-funded USU club LIFE [Love is for Everyone] work to be inclusive, understanding and respectful to anyone that visits or needs information. Information is not forced upon the students or community.
This office in particular has helped provide information requested by family and friends, to prevent suicides, and to make sure that discrimination and harassment are not tolerated on this campus for any reason whatsoever, one of which being homo- and transphobia. Unfortunately, sexism and racism still exist as well, and have their own programs. The Access and Diversity Center bring these groups together.
Like the work done by the Women’s Center or the MultiCultural clubs, the work done by this office deserves student funding. The office is not promoting an agenda and enforces a strict no-hate/bash zone. Everyone is welcome. EVERYONE. The Access and Diversity Center has the opportunity to do a lot of good for the campus and the community.”

Isaac Furniss

Logan passed the anti-discrimination ordinances!

I’m not sure I need to go into incredible detail on what happened with the passage of two anti-discrimination ordinances in Logan. There are a number of videos, news articles and blog posts about the event already. I may need to provide a full list of such links as time permits. One each for housing and employment adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the existing list of categories that business-owners are not allowed to discriminate against. I’ve taken a lot of time to think about it [they were passed a month ago] and taken even longer in writing out this review, I know.

I will simply recount my personal experiences there as I took notes on the public hearing speakers both for and against. Yes, I even took notes during the dreaded “America Forever” speakers. If you visit AmericaForever’s website now, however, they have shut down.

I showed up early in both a personal and official role. I am the current Queer Vice-President for the USU Student organization L.I.F.E.: Love is for Everyone. Officers of the club had agreed to arrive early in case of seating limitations and to be available to voice the support for these ordinances to media coverage that was expected. There were a lot of people there. The chamber seating was filled within moments after the doors were opened. Overflow was almost immediately set up and as I understand it even that was quickly filled.

There was some business that was addressed before the City Council opened up the public hearing for the anti-discrimination ordinances; I waited with a growing sense of anticipation and a large hint of nervous. They laid out the rules and were very clear about each side taking turns, each speaker receiving two minutes, and about staying on the topic of the ordinances without addressing any other issue. The side against was a very limited list of speakers. The City Council had opted to allow non-residents to voice their arguments whether for or against, but not until the last 20 minutes of the public hearing; residents and business-owners in Logan took precedent.

Those that argued against were [for the most part] very similar in their arguments.  Some main ideas brought up were…

• Disgust with America Forever,
• Private Property rights, Council cannot impair private contracts,
• Too much Bureaucracy, City Council overstepping political bounds, Non-constitutional for the Council to be making such legislation,
• Ordinances are not critical to growth of Logan,
• Now making businesses and landlords liable for lawsuit, Council interfering with private business models,
• This is not a City matter, but a State matter,
• Unconstitutional,
• Will start punishing renters for being discriminatory next [slippery slope?],
• Special rights for one group, Homosexual Agenda,
• Compassion is the problem and the Council cannot dictate/legislate compassion, trying will actually make it worse,
• People are going to discriminate anyway,
• People that are discriminated against should not try to legislate this but make those that discriminate a public spectacle for their behavior,
• Anti-discrimination rights are earned, not granted by default [we have become a society of "privilege"],
• Rights come not from government, but from a divine being,
• This cannot be made a public or civil matter, Council has no right to dictate moral issues,
• Community has the right to set their own standards, Sexuality should not be a publicly discussed issue,
• “I personally have no problem with it, but it’s my decision to rent to ‘them’ or not,”
• America Forever: protect children against public sexual conduct, we cannot discriminate against every other group to protect gays, laws like these force gay sex to be taught in schools, Americans do not have the right to work or property but the right to procure work and property, discrimination happens no matter what, do not give in to the homosexual agenda as it is immoral, gays are not a class, religion or race, we must respect religion and freedom, gays have attacked the LDS church, this is against Federal law, etc etc.

Those that argued for had a lot to say. The list of speakers was considerably longer and I was surprised at those that did step up to speak. There were a few religious individuals that represented their congregations in support of the ordinances, there were allies that knew or were related to LGBT individuals and supported protecting everybody on an equal basis. Some excellent points made were…

• Cache Valley is friendly, but protection is necessary as not everyone respects our diversity,
• This is very similar to civil rights 50 years ago, when there was “White” privilege. Now it is “Heterosexual” privilege that the majority must remember and be aware of,
• GBLTA individuals come in all flavors, just as any group does. Many come to worship, hold to strong values and respect morals in their respective creed,
• Localities are what need to take a stand in order to show that Logan values open minds,
• GLBTA isn’t anyone’s business any more than heterosexuality: are they fit for the job? Do they follow instruction? Are they respectful and responsible? If so, then they will be excellent tenants or employees, nothing else should matter,
• Stories of “just leaving or just moving away” to avoid a fuss and further discrimination and it isn’t right,
• We hear “justice and liberty for all” in the Pledge of Allegiance, the Council has the ability to protect that general welfare,
• Hostile work environments where employees are justified in making heterosexist or homophobic remarks and GLBTA individuals are unable to take a stand, they are forced to choose between job or home-hunting again or to put up with and deal with intolerance daily,
• Private behavior is very minor in the full aspect of orientation; a lasting emotional, physical or romantic attraction to another individual,
• Most heterosexual individuals do not realize that they “flaunt” their sexuality daily with photos of family, asking about co-worker’s relationships, etc and this may put pressure on GLBTA individuals to lie or avoid those people if they are not safe to come out and flaunt their family life in the same way,
• GLBTA individuals witness discrimination DAILY, stories of trying to “fix” homosexuality are blatant discrimination and cause much more harm than any possible good, considering that homosexuality is something that needs to be “fixed” is the basis for a lot of discrimination,
• I spoke on how everyone here in Logan has the same right to live and work as who they are. they should not have to work harder to earn something that the majority receive by default and they should not have to live in fear of retribution based on these immutable characteristics, we already protect several classes, groups and creeds and we must protect all or else we protect none,
• Law must be equal or it cannot function,
• Forcing an entire group to live in fear or paranoia is wrong,
• Individuals will still be those responsible for upholding any discrimination ordinance, especially this,
• All citizens have a sexual orientation and gender identity and so this does not create a special class with special rights,
• Stories of lost jobs, homes and had landlords refuse to rent even though no one else would have lived there,
• Micro-aggressions happen daily and most may not realize they are even performing them, this ordinance could help start to make that change,
• USU has provided a caring and diverse community where everyone gets the equal opportunity to live and learn in peace, if Logan City Council doesn’t pass this USU will remain an isolated bubble of safety,
• Public is obviously in favor of these ordinances whether they be GLBT or A,
• Many mentioned “family” housing which restricts GLBT individuals from being seen as legitimate “families,”
• Housing ought be restricted to the history of the individual as  tenant and not whom they are attracted to or how they identify,
• Federal constitution is the federal constitution and it does not currently address this issue directly, thus it is local responsibility,
• Discrimination does happen daily, but other groups like woman or minorities of color have legal recourse,
• The City expects decency from her citizens, but must be willing to back up those expectations,
• People should not have to work harder to make a fuss about their lives, forcing someone to “make a fuss” forces them to come out and without ordinances there is no one there to back them up,
• Business models should not discriminate against these people any more than they should discriminate on gender or race,
• Men are not angels and if we all loved each other and were perfect in compassion then no anti-discrimination laws would be needed for any reason,
• Implementation is not an issue: we already maintain thorough anti-discrimination policies for a number of other groups,
• Business is no more restricted in the passing of this ordinance than in the passing of all previous ordinances,
• If Utah passes this law, great. However, even just having this protection for the City of Logan herself for one day would be worth it,
• Laws work by examples and laws dictating compassion where it would not otherwise be granted are still worth it,
• Everyone has an inherent worth and dignity for others to respect,
• It is not required to think alike in order to love alike,
• Diversity is so valued here and the City council has the opportunity to defend that,
• Logan is a city where a lot of individuals come to discover who they are. They should not be forced into a box or sent away for being unique and passionate about who they are,
• Politics have become angry recently and it’s not doing any good. Fliers, picketing and opposition to a simple protection ordinance are tools to fuel hatred and bigotry while discrimination is a larger evil. It teaches that fear and mistreatment of others is okay, so long as they are different,
• Fear is wrong, and government needs to protect against fear and bigotry and hatred,
• People forget that discrimination happens and that it is wrong. They forget that they are treating their fellow man with contempt but still expect to receive the same honor and respect without working to earn it,
• GLBTA discrimination happens with the same consistency as discrimination based upon sex, yet we leave sex as a protected classification. Everyone has sexual orientation and gender identity and deserve protection based on these rights just as much as race, class, religion or creed,
• Government rule is passed only after the smaller localities show they are willing to support such feats. Logan passing this ordinance will contribute to the passage of protection based on these characteristics at the state and perhaps even the Federal level,
• Logan has an obligation to the basic rights of equality, justice and working to ensure everyone’s rights,
• There is no undo burden upon a government that stands up for all of its citizens,
• Anti-discrimination is the core tenet of the constitution: treat everyone the same despite all of our differences,

As you can see, quite a powerful response from everyone in the Logan community. So many individuals that spoke were not going to be directly affected by these changes. Most groups are not discriminated against based upon their sexual orientation or gender identity, but now in the city of Logan they are doubly protected.

I thought about these things for a long time. A lot of what was said in opposition made me very angry and a lot of what was said made me feel more safe or welcome than I ever had before in Logan. After listening to the City Council summarize how most of them had their minds changed by the massive response from the community I knew that it’s not really important if Obama passes marriage equality or repeals DADT [though that would rock], it’s important to start with the little things. The more cities and municipalities that support anti-discrimination, the more that GLBTA people will be able to be outspoken about their thoughts and beliefs. The more that culture in these small areas can grow and change to accept diversity, the more people will be willing to stand with you on the larger issues like marriage equality and Federal anti-discrimination.

True Equality[?]

I am very impressed with the Logan City Council and am excited to be a part of the community surrounding an anti-discrimination ordinance that is to be voted on this upcoming Tuesday.
More details here if you are interested:
Herald Journal: Public hearing scheduled…

If you don’t read the article, the Council discussed passing an anti-discrimination ordinance in Logan protecting LGBT individuals [sexual orientation and gender identity] it was championed by Councilmember Herm Olsen. The council discussed it and determined that the need for such an ordinance was unlikely. They did not think that this was an issue in the city of Logan and tabled it until August.
We were prompted by our city leaders to lend our voice in helping them determine whether or not this ordinance was needed. The feedback was a resounding yes. More council members have since decided to support such an ordinance based on the letters that GLBTA individuals have written. Instead of waiting until August, the city council will be hearing these arguments again this upcoming Tuesday [May 18 @ 5.30 PM] and will vote upon this ordinance.
I have the hopeful feeling that it will pass. I plan on being there when it does whether it be Tuesday or a later date.

Another article displays a bit more of the negative that has been shown with this ordinance and with one particular council member’s decision to support it:
Cache Valley Daily: Residents protest…

This photo gallery is a brief depiction that can only cement what the council sought to determine in the first place. Discrimination against the LGBTA [or perceived LGTBA individuals] is very real in Logan, Utah. People are willing to loudly display their bigotry. Yes, those protesters are bigots, possibly homophobic. No, not everyone opposed to this ordinance is bigoted or homophobic.
Holly Daines was the target of these picketers. Holly Daines was chosen as the recipient of this protect because she merely said she would support this ordinance:

“I didn’t think there was a problem in Cache Valley; that opinion has changed,” wrote Daines in a letter sent to colleagues this week. “Although I am still concerned with the logistics of the ordinance, or the ‘letter of the law,’ I have come to believe that the ‘spirit of the law’ – or the message we send by its passage – outweighs my concerns.”

In an interview, Daines said: “I think it’s important we send a message to all of our citizens that we don’t tolerate discrimination. … We may disagree with their choices but that’s even more reason to respect them.”
[Herald Journal article, linked above]

I hope that the rest of the council sees that this is a vital stepping stone to bring safety and peace of mind to hundreds, if not more, of Logan residents. We are not asking for them to picket for equal rights on the street. We are not asking for them to help us repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. We are most certainly not asking them to make gay marriage legal in Logan at this time.
We are asking for the same rights, safeties and privileges that the already protected classes of Logan receive by long-passed ordinances.
Most individuals likely do not think about the right they have to sue a landlord if they are kicked out based upon their race, class, creed, religion, ability or gender. They do not think about what they would be able to do if they were fired for any of these perceived classes. They do not worry about their safety in one of the “safest” cities in the United States.
Yet as soon as we ask for these same safeties, we are picketed against.

Why? Is providing safety and security to your LGBTA children not good enough? What if your child was fired or evicted for one of these unprotected reasons? Would you stand up for them and try to protect them? Or would you try to tell them that being gay isn’t a class and shouldn’t be protected? What if they were hurt, abused or killed for a perceived orientation [whether or not they are actually LGBT]? Would you say “Oh well, they deserved it for being different from me.”?

Please Logan City Council, strive to serve all of your constituents, not just the majority. We are paying attention and we appreciate all that you do to protect such a minority group.
I would fight to the death for your right to practice your own religion, hold your own beliefs and make your own decisions. Fight for me a little bit on Tuesday.