We’ve all seen those T-shirts that have an arrow pointing to the right or left and say “I’m with stupid.” The state government of Mississippi has purchased dozens of these garments and are pointing towards Georgia, North Carolina, and Indiana. Joining other homophobic states, and violating the Constitution by introducing religion into our political system, the state senate has passed the most restrictive anti-gay law to this date.

Not only would religious freaks be allowed to deny services to members of the LGBT community, employers would be allowed to fire an employee if they discovered that their sexual orientation was not acceptable to their religious beliefs.

I may not be Ted Cruz, who claims to be a ‘Constitutional scholar,’ but I have actually read the Constitution and believe in its guarantees of freedom, unlike the junior senator from Texas, but I am fairly certain that this bigoted law violates the exact wording of the 14^th amendment.

Two issues which dominate the political scene should never have become the focal points of one group of politicians. Abortion and the rights of the LGBT community to receive equal treatment under the law should have remained personal and private.

Fifty years ago I failed to understand the prejudiced actions of men and women who displayed hatred for my gay and lesbian friends. They were simply people whose only goals were the same as my heterosexual friends. What could possibly cause the fear demonstrated by some who attacked homosexuals with derogatory words and vile labels? For me, this was nothing less than the exhibition of complete ignorance.

Growing up in Los Angeles, I felt the same way about my gay friends as I did my black friends. If I chose to like or dislike another person, race or sexual orientation had no effect on my decision.

Another important decision I made in my early twenties was to cease participation in any organized religion. I found that the men standing behind the pulpit were all too frequently judgmental, and their intentions were to control my decisions and actions related to my daily life. I found them to be nothing more than ‘cults.’

My Catholic upbringing taught me that God gave me the ability to reason and a sense of morality. I didn’t need someone to teach me right from wrong; I knew which was which. I believe in spirituality, and striving to be a better person every day, but I do not need to have someone explain it to me.

Today, I know my decision was correct. As I watch the Christian religious right spread hatred and intolerance towards the LGBT community, my belief that many ‘ministers’ actually represented the dark side of humans has been confirmed.

The United States is a backward nation. Our country has failed to move forward with the rest of the world’s developed nations. Europeans have no prejudice towards races or sexual orientation as a group. They believe in freedom; they don’t just talk about it without sincerity.

A final thought; why do women, blacks, or members of the LGBT community live in Indiana, Mississippi, Georgia, North Carolina, or Florida? If you’re not wanted there, why live there? There are most definitely nicer and more free sections of our nation in which to call home. I live in the west for many reasons; I could never live in the south or much of the Midwest. I cherish my freedom and independence.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

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Photo Courtesy of Stuart Seeger

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