E'S CHRONICLE January 14, 2000

letters tothe editor

Civil marriage, religion are separate

To the Editors:

Here we go again. Messrs Hottinger and Jordan, in hopes of "protecting" the people of Ohio from outside forces (Vermonters not welcome) are going to again propose a ban on same-sex marriages in our grand state. This means the creation of a double no-no law! Oh, puleeeze—get a grip!

This whole debate has never been about the gay community attempting to destroy traditional marriage. It is a demand for equal civil rights under the law. It is about a demand for recognition of commitment that is as deep and as strong as "straight marriage."

Until late in the nineteenth century, marriage was looked upon as a means of acquiring property. It was based more on financial and political expediency rather than love. A point that the traditionalists (Defense of Marriage Act adherents) should consider is, the ceremony, with the frothy white dress and cute napkins in a church, has no legal standing in a court of law if the happy couple did not visit the clerk's office and pick up a license. That license is rendered under civil law.

In the United States civil law and religion are still supposed to be separate. Civil law is supposed to provide equal rights and protections for all. It is not supposed to mean that some are more equal than others. Religious hysteria should not be allowed to be used as a means to subvert the civil rights of a portion of the population.

The gay community is simply asking that the shortcomings and inequalities of the law be corrected to give equal civil rights and benefits to all.

Eric L. Floyd Akron

the equal rights issue with some smoke-andmirrors routine about bigotry? Is the implication that bigoted African-Americans still have rights but bigoted homosexuals don't?

As an African-American, I see his response as an absolute non-issue. I would like to have my partner and our daughters under that "umbrella" which states that we are human and entitled to certain rights.

It sounds to me like McMickle needs to "get past Leviticus" himself.

AIDS is not about homosexuality. AIDS is hitting straight women harder and faster than any group in the country right now. Why? Because people insist that the disease is only about homosexuality and "Leviticus."

I think McMickle could do himself and his congregation a favor and use his position as a member of the Ryan White Title I HIV Health Services Planning Council for Cuyahoga County as an opportunity to truly educate himself. He has ample opportunity to do some real good if he does.

McMickle may not see himself as a bigot, but I say we have miles to go before we vote. Kellie Archie Cleveland

Respect should

To the Editors:

go both

ways

In regard to Mr. Randy Sindelar's letter [January 7] with reference to the Ohio antimarriage bill, I would like to express concern in regard to this matter.

I am so over this battle between the heterosexual community and the homosexual community. One of the biggest issues that the homosexual community faces is caused by our own personal creations. We speak all the time of equality and "equal rights."

What have we, as the gay community done to obtain any type of "equality” in

McMickle needs to get past Leviticus marriage, insurance, and any other type of

To the Editors:

The glaring contradictions in Rev. Marvin McMickle's interview [December 31] are really shameful.

The Reverend claimed that he would "absolutely not" let his religious beliefs dictate how he'd vote on public policy. Yet, when asked how he'd vote on the domestic partner benefits issue which now faces Lakewood's City Council, he said that he'd have to call on what the Bible teaches him about marriage (how it is defined) before he could decide.

Well, excuse me, but I don't see a separation of church and state there. That response was directly from the pulpit.

Also, does the Reverend intend to dodge

GAY PEOPLE'S

what I deem moralistically correct issues?

Mr. Sindelar brings up a point that just does not sit very well with me. Mr. Sindelar states, "I could not give a rat's ass about someone's religious beliefs on my behavior."

To me, this statement is totally contradictory to everything that you are "supposedly" striving to achieve as a homosexual man who wants to be "equally" married. We, as the gay community, all know that the one thing we want in life is to not be judged by our sexual preference.

On one hand, Mr. Sindelar is saying, "Don't withhold our rights on account of our sexual orientation," yet on the other hand, he is slamming the heterosexual community because they are religiously sound and choose

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to voice their opinions on our lifestyle.

For someone who seems to not want to be judged for his sexual preference, he sure does not seem to have a problem with slamming someone else for their religious beliefs! I believe that the only way we, as a gay community, will ever see equality is to rise above the level of slamming each other and just be the "bigger guy" who tries to show an example.

Respect is attained by showing it, and if we don't start, then who will? As far as same sex marriages are concerned, how many relationships in the gay community actually last? I mean, come on, let's get real! If divorce is running rampant among heterosexual marriages, just how long do you think that it will take for the gay community to surpass the statistics that were set by the heterosexual population?

When the gay community finally learns the value of a lasting relationship, and the meaning of the word monogamy, maybe then my thoughts will be swayed. Until then I will continue to live by the philosophy by which the Bible set forth in regards to "holy" matrimony!

Name withheld by request Cleveland

See how far we've come To the Editors:

Page four of the January 7 Gay People's Chronicle pictured a study in contrasts. The first part was a letter to the editor from a man who writes letters to the editor on an average of every other week.

Each letter complains about one thing or another. Even when he brings up a good point, it's covered with negativism and sar-

casm.

The second part of that page was an article by Martha Pontoni, publisher of the Chronicle. She was remembering the past ten years and how we've grown. Nothing earth-shattering. It was Martha being Martha, having a cup of coffee with friends, the friends being us, the readers. Even the negatives were part of the growing up process.

In one paragraph she mentions Chevrei Tikva, the gay synagogue, writing to complain about the corporate name of the Chronicle, KWIR Publications. I was the one that brought it to attention of the board. At their direction, I was the one who wrote the letter stating we felt it offensive.

Times change! Recently, I was getting into my car outside of Tops (Finast) when a redneck type came up to me. He pointed to my rainbow ribbon at the top of my antenna and said, "You a faggot!" I calmly answered, "No, I'm a queer!" Of course, I locked the doors quickly and removed my car and self from the parking lot. The point being, we've all come a long way over the years.

The community should take a page out of Martha's coffee cup. Look where we've been, what has been accomplished and see what we can do to improve. If the writer of the letter to the editor wants negative, he should have been around in the 1950s and 60s. There was no Chronicle, no Lesbian-Gay Center, no religious gay groups or gay and lesbian organizations one could join for social gathering and support. Available in those days were bars, baths and cruising public areas. Certainly no role models for a young person coming out then.

To Martha, thanks for sharing and reminding us where we've been. To Randy, lighten up a little. It's easy to write letters; it's harder to do something about it.

Paul Zeitzew Cleveland

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Correction

In a December 17 story on gay and lesbian Ohio delegates to the Democratic National Convention, delegates to past conventions were misstated.

Lynn Greer was a delegate to the 1992 convention; Jeff Ayres was a delegate in 1996.

GAY PEOPLE'S

Chronicle

Volume 15, Issue 29

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