Against The Will Of The People

As a native and former Californian, I was more than just a little bit floored when Assembly Bill 1785 passed by a margin of 41 to 30. I was even more ‘blown away’ at the fact that Governor Gray Davis is actually going to sign this travesty into law. This, despite the often violent and highly unhealthy lifestyle that goes with sodomy. That’s right, folks. Homosexual acts are still classified as sodomy, which although no longer illegal in California, is still illegal in over 20 states and the District of Columbia.

For the unfamiliar, this Bill will require the mandatory teaching and promotion of homosexuality in public schools statewide. Assemblyman Tony Villaraigosa (D-Los Angeles), the bill’s sponsor, was off the mark when he said in his written statement, "Too many kids are committing hate crimes against other kids on our school campuses today." Governor Davis is also off base with his support of this bill as well.

Traditional Values Coalition Research Director Beverly Sheldon, who fought against the bill, said, "This bill AB-1785 will mandate that California schools teach the appreciation of homosexuality, bi-sexuality, and even transgender, cross dressing, etc. This will go in California textbooks and classroom curriculum. Students and teachers of deep moral and religious conviction who are opposed to the homosexual lifestyle could be considered guilty of promoting hate in the classroom if they merely express their objection to the lifestyle."

This action by the gay lobby only shows the intolerance they have for anyone else’s view other than their own. They can promote buggery and other acts that heterosexuals would consider depraved, but if a ‘straight’ person objects, they are guilty of hate speech. Clearly, they want it both ways.

As pointed out, one of the flaws of this legislation is that people of faith can be guilty of promoting ‘hate’ if they voice their objections to the promotion of this lifestyle. Many a parent will not want their children exposed to this depravity in the classroom, and it is hoped that they will band together and put the squeeze on their local school boards. Such action can ensure that ways are provided to protect their children from the sleaze and filth that would otherwise come into their children’s’ classrooms as a result of this state-mandated sell-out to a very small, very vocal and well-oiled lobbying machine.

As a religious man who is deeply committed to his own faith, I personally find homosexuality a repugnant lifestyle, and the overwhelming majority of the people that I know are in strong agreement with me. The fact that the three major religions of the world - Christianity, Judaism and Islam condemn it only serves to reinforce this view, which is held not just by millions, but billions worldwide. Do not get me wrong - I do not hate homosexuals. Nor do I condone violence against gays or other ethnic groups or people of status. It’s just that I do NOT believe that these people are entitled to special protection. Such protection would also violate the equal protection under the law clause of the California Constitution.

I DO NOT believe that crime against gays or other ethnic groups should have enhancer penalties as provided for in hate crime legislation. Not only does such action bestow preferential status on a special interest group, but it’s also unconstitutional. I refer the proponents of hate crime legislation to the First, Tenth and Fourteenth Amendments which cover freedom of speech, states’ rights as it pertains to the efforts of the Congress to federalize hate crimes, and the Fourteenth Amendment as it relates to civil rights. The last I checked, the Civil Rights Act has not been updated to include sexual orientation.

For most people that are gay, they live their lives with their orientation as a matter that they handle privately. Most of them do not have membership in groups such as ACT UP and Queer Nation, and just want to be left alone.

And while I do not condemn homosexuals and lesbians as people, I do however, condemn their behavior as unnatural, and believe that expressing my opinion as freedom of speech is protected within my First Amendment rights. If the gay community is able and allowed to speak out promoting their lifestyle, then I am equally allowed to speak out as well and should not be squelched out just because what I say rocks their comfort zone.

The time has come for reason to return to the public forum of debate and discussion. For too long - in California and elsewhere, the small and extremely vocal minority has had their way at the expense of the majority of the people. Part of the blame lies with the uninformed and apathetic masses that rarely, if ever, exercise their right to vote and part of it lies with legislators who have failed to keep in touch with the constituents that put them in office in the first place.

Should Governor Davis go through and sign this unconstitutional measure into law ... and all indications are that he will, it is hoped that enough citizens will take up the cause and seek remedy through judicial channels. They should go through the courts to have this measure justifiably declared unconstitutional, thus allowing us as parents to have more control, through our school boards over what our children learn in the public schools.

Should that fail, I can only see an exodus to private schools and a further setback to the already difficult situation in the California public school system.

You can e-mail your comments to Timothy at trollins@idirect.com.

Copyright © 2000 by Timothy Rollins.
All Rights Reserved.

-Published with permission