War of Falsehoods

The San Diego City Council has given final approval to the Human Dignity Ordinance (HDO). This ordinance would prohibit discrimination in housing and employment on the basis of sexual orientation. Opponents of this new law have engaged in a “war” of disinformation in order to frighten people into rejecting this extension of civil rights legislation. I would like to set the record straight on a few issues.

One of the most absurd and vicious allegations of the opponents of the HDO is that it would protect people who sexually molest children. HDO would no more protect child molesters than would the First Amendment protect a religion’s practice of human sacrifice.

Another notion, which may be born of ignorance rather than hate, is that the HDO would promote the spread of AIDS. Overwhelming medical evidence has repeatedly demonstrated that the virus which causes AIDS cannot be communicated by casual contact. The HDO is concerned with ending discrimination. This goal threatens no one’s health.

A third area of concern is that the HDO gives special rights to gays and lesbians. This is also untrue. The HDO would prohibit discrimination against both heterosexuals and homosexuals. Although the opponents of the HDO may continue to come up with reasons why this law should be overturned, their arguments will continue to be spurious at best. The tactics of these people who claim to be Christians are far more characteristic of the father of lies than Christ. Though they claim to love homosexuals, the tone and character of their arguments betrays their consuming hatred.

Please do not sign the petition to place the HDO referendum on the November ballot.

LES DEARING

San Diego