Date: Sat, 1 Apr 1995 12:28:38 -0600 (CST)
From: Kevyn Jacobs <kevyn@KSUVM.KSU.EDU>
To: "Kansas Queer News [KQN]" <KQN@casti.com>
Subject: LAWRENCE J-W POLITICAL AD ATTACKS SIMPLY EQUAL

Background: Simply Equal is a coalition that formed to petition the city
of Lawrence, KS to add the words "sexual orientation" to the Human
Relations Ordinance.  The following is a political ad that appeared in
the _Lawrence Journal-World_ on Thursday, March 30, 1995:

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"A Look at Simply Equal's Request"

While the discussion generated by Simply Equal's proposed addition to
the Human Relations Ordinance has been mostly emotional, it is the
factual which should determine our City Commission Election.

The Human Relations Ordinance prohibits discrimination based on
race, sex religion, color, nation al origin, familial status, disability, or
age.  Each of these now protected folk who suffered discrimination
was stereotyped and his or her behavior ignored.  The discrimination
encountered by gays is quite different.  Because one can know a gay's
sexual orientation only if the gay so wishes, it is the gay's behavior that
prompts discrimination.  Discrimination which is based on behavior is
an expression of freedom.

Discrimination against gay men is a quite reasonable choice for anyone
aware of the following facts.  In our country, AIDS is the leading cause
of death among men between the ages of 25 and 44;  AIDS is often
categorized as a "gay man's disease" because some 50 to 60 percent of
the afflicted are gay men; Researchers and theoreticians cannot explain
how some AIDS victims contracted the virus.

Here we have religious freedom.  The Bible condemns the practice of
homosexuality, thus some individuals believe homosexuality is a sin.
Any law or judicial decision which forces these individuals to rent to,
hire, or otherwise associate with those of whose behavior they
disapprove, constitutes a denial of their religious freedom.

Simply Equal wants our government to outlaw some people's heartfelt
response to gay behavior which they find disturbing and/or offensive.
Because this is a privilege accorded no other group, I respectfully
suggest to the very nice folk in Simply Equal that, in the name of
accuracy, they change the name of their organization to Completely
Unequal.

William Dann
P.O.  Box 781
Lawrence, KS  66044-0781

********************************************************

I suggest that someone should call William Dann and help him through
some of his misconceptions.  His telephone number is listed in the
Lawrence, KS telephone directory.

Sincerely yours,
John Bennett



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"There is no need to run outside for better seeing.  Abide, instead, at
the center of your being."
							Lao Tzu
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