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September 4, 2011

Forum: Campaign worth winning — again

By Paul Heaton ----

Here we go again.

I thought voters made it pretty clear the last time the anti-gay crusade came to town that Traverse City believes in protecting everyone from discrimination.

Lest we forget, city voters soundly defeated an anti-gay ballot initiative in November 2001. Unfortunately, the next time around might not be so easy, thanks to the confuse-and-distort campaign being run out of Midland by the well-known anti-gay activist Gary Glenn, who has been waging political campaigns against gay people for more than a dozen years.

As Glenn and Co. have demonstrated time and again around the state, the only way they can win is by misleading and confusing people, and they have started in Traverse City by successfully lobbying the City Commission to change the ballot wording.

Confused? You’re not alone.

Voters are understandably skeptical about the word games played in ballot initiatives. With so many candidates and questions, few take the time to study details and nuances. Unfortunately, many vote “no” automatically out of skepticism, and that means problems for the upcoming initiative. Yes, you’ve got trouble in Traverse City.

Here’s the bottom line: Because of their irrational focus on gay people, these activists want to throw out an ordinance that protects everyone from discrimination. Don’t believe me? Here’s the actual wording (which Glenn & Co. probably will never show you):

“It is the intent of the City of Traverse City that no person be denied the equal protection of the laws; nor shall any person be denied the enjoyment of his or her civil rights or be discriminated against because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, height, weight, marital status, physical or mental disability, family status, sexual orientation or gender identity.”

Seems basic and harmless enough, right? Outlaw discrimination based on a number of basic characteristics, including lifestyle choices such as marital status and religion.

But because the law mentions “sexual orientation,” brace yourself for all sorts of what-ifs and doomsday scenarios — none of which have come to pass since the law was passed nearly a year ago. (Perhaps that’s because the law includes a host of exceptions, such as for religious organizations.)

Do I think laws against discrimination are important? Yes I do. Do I wish the city didn’t have to go through this nonsense again? Yes I do. Do I want Traverse City to keep its great reputation as a desirable place to live and visit? Yes I do. (And I can’t wait to come back.) And do I believe this is a campaign worth fighting (and winning) again? Yes I do.

I know the good people of Traverse City want to do the right thing. But do I worry about them getting duped this time around? Yes I do.



About the author: Paul Heaton was co-chair of the 2000-01 Traverse City Campaign Against Discrimination, and a 2002 recipient of the city’s Sara Hardy Humanitarian Award. He now lives in Washington, D.C.

About the Forum: The Forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or fewer may be made by emailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photograph.

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