Irvine’s Measure N and the Issues of Human Rights and Privacy

It disturbs us that both proponents and opponents of Irvine’s Measure N have chosen to play on the fears of the voters. Opponents say if you support Measure N, then you are a religious and political extremist and a gay and lesbian basher. Supporters say that if you oppose Measure N, then you advocate destruction of family and church and promote deviant sexual activity. Neither position is supported by the facts. Both positions are wrong morally and legally. Measure N is not a civil rights issue, it is a privacy issue.

Should we create special legal categories to protect people because of their sexual behavior? Do we add to the affirmative action programs “sexual orientation” as a special protected category? Gay activists say that they are discriminated against like racial religious minorities. How do we know if we are discriminating?

The Human Rights Ordinance insists that we recognize “sexual orientation” and disclose it to our employers, landlords and government institutions to prevent discrimination. If sexual practices are a basis for special recognition in the law, then why not other behaviors? The law does discriminate against certain behaviors. It discriminates against and regulates the behavior of smokers, drug users and alcohol abusers. Aren’t their behaviors equally in need of special protection?

It is unquestionably wrong to persecute or discriminate against gays, lesbians and bisexuals. They deserve the full protection of the law because they are ordinary citizens, but not because of their sexual behavior. Without the language of “sexual orientation” in the Human Rights Ordinance, the law protects and reaffirms the protection of fundamental rights of all citizens guaranteed by the U.S. and state constitutions.

Measure N is not a civil rights issue, it is a behavior issue. The right of privacy protects our sexual behavior from invasion by others. Present law grants the right of privacy and decriminalizes sexual practices. Our sexual practices are protected from disclosure. But the Human Rights ordinance invades that privacy.

No one’s sexual conduct is entitled to special legal protections. The right of privacy becomes immediately invaded when our employers, landlords and government must look into our homes to check our sexual orientation in order to prevent discrimination.

You are neither a sinner nor a bigot if you vote Yes on N. A Yes vote will keep your sexual orientation your own business, not the city’s. A Yes vote on N preserves civil rights by protecting the rights of persons based on their life status or religious beliefs, not their behavior. Protect your freedom and your privacy. Vote Yes on N.

HUGH BRECKENRIDGE

KIT BRECKENRIDGE

Irvine