The Human Rights Ordinance in Irvine

Arguments by proponents of Measure N that favor deleting sexual orientation from Irvine’s Human Rights Ordinance contain several inaccuracies. First, the ordinance does not grant special rights to anyone. It only prohibits discrimination.

Second, state and federal constitutions do not protect homosexuals from discrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld state laws that mandate discrimination, including one in Georgia that allows homosexuals to be arrested and jailed. In the absence of local law prohibiting it, an employer can legally fire an employee simply because he or she is gay.

Third, Irvine’s ordinance does not require disclosure of sexual orientation or seek affirmative action. Most gays and lesbians would rather not have their sexuality made public since covert discrimination can occur even with legal protections in place. Unfortunately, being known or suspected to be gay can still be a detriment to one’s career.

Finally, you cannot be “recruited” into homosexuality at any age, nor can you choose your sexual orientation; heterosexual men and pedophiles are the overwhelming perpetrators of child molestation, not homosexuals; and punishment and prevention of inappropriate sexual conduct by adults, homosexual or heterosexual, is not affected by the Human Rights Ordinance. Voting no on N simply means that you oppose discrimination, not that you approve of homosexuality.

M. DAN WOOLDRIDGE

Laguna Beach