Meet one of the "loving opposition"

Human rights
from Voice of the People
South Bend Tribune
9/25/08

Don Wheeler supports changing South Bend's Human Rights Ordinance to cover gender identity and sexual orientation (Viewpoint, Aug. 15) as an extension of our society's civil rights gains. But he shows a sad disregard for the arguments of those of us who have successfully opposed this change. Wheeler openly states, "I had paid scant attention to the opposition's rhetoric."

As the opposition, we carefully analyzed whether the gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered community needs protection against discrimination. Unlike blacks, Latinos and women, homosexuals as a group rank are not disadvantaged in educational attainment and annual income. GLBT individuals and interest groups boast strong influence in politics and especially the media: The New York Times has led the way in advocating the GLBT agenda.

Armed with facts, a majority of the South Bend Common Council voted not to change the ordinance. Despite the achievements of GLBT individuals, public issues of physical and psychological health remain: from suicide, to domestic violence, to distressing rates of anal cancer among gay men.

Looking at the reality, we lovingly oppose the GLBT agenda. The council made the right decision.

Jay Dunlap
South Bend