Third gay rights hearing packed with emotion

Members of public share personal stories

JAMIE LOO, Tribune Staff Writer
5/18/06

SOUTH BEND – Beyond the statistics and packets of information, the public offered emotional personal testimony about proposed changes to the human rights ordinance during the Common Council’s third public hearing Wednesday.

Extra chairs were set up outside of council chambers, but most people chose to stand in the back of the room. No Special Rights gave out blue and yellow stickers which read “Protect Our Children” and had the group’s name and others, while South Bend Equality wore pins that said “I Care About Equality!”

South Bend Equality is in favor of the ordinance, which would add language to the human rights ordinance to protect gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people from discrimination. No Special Rights is opposing the legislation, arguing that it confers special rights to an already protected group.

Jay Dunlap said laws in Massachusetts allowing gay marriage shut down the adoption branch of Catholic Charities in Boston because of the church’s opposition to adopting children to gay couples. As a father of four children who were adopted through Catholic Charities, Dunlap said the group has helped to place children in difficult life situations into loving homes.

“I know personally the importance of these services,” Dunlap said. “I ask you to consider carefully what some of the unintended consequences of passing this ordinance could be.”

Twenty years ago Nancy Mascotte said her son came out to her as a gay man. Mascotte said she went through a transforming experience as she worked to understand homosexuality.

“I experienced many GLBT persons living the same values I had instilled in my son. Respect for family, self and others ... I found that people live their lives based on values, not orientation,” she said.

When the opposition talks about their “loving” prejudice against GLBT people, she said they are talking about her son, who graduated with honors from college and helped build a Habitat for Humanity house in Korea.

“I’m not asking the Common Council for sympathy for my son or any other GLBT citizen,” Mascotte said. “I’m asking for empathy. I’m asking each of you to try walking in their shoes.”

A family counselor, Nathan “Bud” Steadman, said gay rights groups have said they want to change society beyond the law and that the amendments would allow that agenda to advance in South Bend.

“Whatever ground is given to the homosexual lobby, that ground will simply be the staging area for further destructive activism,” he said. “The very fabric of American society must not change from morality-based law to immoral license.”

Dan Jordan said each time someone gives blood, a health history questionnaire is given. The questionnaire excludes anyone who has used intravenous drugs and men who have engaged in gay sex. HIV infection or people who engage in behavior that could lead to HIV, are also excluded from giving blood, he said. Jordan asked the council not to pass the amendments.

“Gays and bisexuals are not allowed to participate in something as honorable and noble and lifesaving because of chosen activities, not because of some other immutable quality,” he said.

A gay teacher who grew up in this area, Marcus Harris, said he wanted to speak out because he couldn’t stand by and see other GLBT people discriminated against. Because there is no protection for him and other good GLBT citizens in the city, he said, he stands to lose his job based on the person he loves.

Bobby Lopez, a gay high school student, said he and other GLBT students are harassed and worried about their personal safety daily. They are called names in the hallways as classmates and teachers turn a blind eye, he said. Lopez said being gay isn’t a choice and passing the proposal protects tomorrow’s leaders.

“I do not choose to get beat up every day of my life just because I’m different,” he said. “I’m the future; all of my friends are the future. Now if we have to face this kind of discrimination growing up, what kind of future is that?”

Former St. Joseph County Commissioner Mike Hamann said as a high school teacher, his students “often confuse legality with moral legitimacy.” Hamann asked the council to vote against the amendments.

Indianapolis Marion County-City Councillor Scott Keller, R-16th, said no matter what one’s morals beliefs are about homosexuality, the amendments protect basic rights.

“This can be looked at as a preventative thing,” he said.

Council member Charlotte Pfeifer, D-2nd, said the council is still expected to vote on the measure June 26 and will talk to other council members about whether more hearings are needed. Up until the vote, Pfeifer said, residents can still speak on the issue during privilege of the floor at upcoming council meetings.