Gay Pride Festival

I am deeply disturbed over the controversy surrounding the planned “gay” pride festival. If the people of Santa Ana can’t advance past the labeling and casting aside of 10% or more of their citizens, how do they think they will ever solve any other problem?

Are not each of us born with a right of free speech and assembly? What has the gay community done to Santa Ana that brings enough fear into 600 people to attend a City Council meeting opposing the festival? The answer is nothing. They have been closeted and set aside from society because people fear what they’re unfamiliar with.

The same thing happened (and is still happening) with the black community. Anyone with a perceived straying from the “norm” is ostracized.

The Christians are yelling that Santa Ana is condoning homosexuality by allowing this festival. But isn’t that a part of their religion? Their churches teach them that homosexuality is wrong. Fine. But how about people with different views? What they are saying is that anyone who does not agree with their views cannot speak out.

I had hoped we would have progressed beyond this by now. There are murderers, drugs, wars, budget deficits that need to be taken care of, and we are here arguing over who can and cannot have a peaceful assembly? Where’s the logic?

If we cannot accept people who have the same feelings of love as a heterosexual but choose to express it in a different way, how can we say we’re advancing as a society. It’s sad that we have to “grant” them the right of non-discrimination in Irvine. Weren’t we all born with that right?

One day I look forward to the nation welcoming these people as an integral and loving part of society. I personally am ashamed that we haven’t already.

JOHN CONRAD

Norco