Meanwhile back in Wisconsin... (From the Associated Press) -
MADISON, Wis. — Flying a gay pride rainbow flag over the Wisconsin state Capitol for the first time Friday drew backlash from conservatives, including a pair of state lawmakers, who said it was divisive, while Democrats hailed it as a sign of inclusivity.
The flag flap erupted after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers ordered the raising of the flag to recognize June as “Pride Month.” The move drew a fast rebuke from state Rep. Scott Allen, who tweeted, “Is this any more appropriate than erecting the Christian flag over the Capitol?”
Allen, who describes himself on Twitter as “Child of God/Family Man,” said in a follow-up message to the Associated Press that the rainbow flag “advocates a behavior or lifestyle that some Wisconsin residents may not condone. Therefore, it is divisive.”
Really? So the Nativity Scene in the WI Capitol Rotunda EVERY year , next to the massive Christmas Tree covered with CROSS shaped ornaments is what....? Just one more sign of just how "oppressed" the poor triggered members of Wisconsin Family Action, are?
It’s always interesting that “Conservative Christians” claim any form of recognition of the basic civil rights and human dignity of LGBT people is somehow “an attack” on them. But since none of the civil rights or societal benefits that these people enjoy are impacted by a Rainbow flag flying over a building; What opponents of equality are really saying is that giving LGBT Americans the same level of civic respect that they enjoy makes them mad.
It's not just that these people are upset that LGBT Americans have equal rights, they are upset that gays and lesbians have any rights at all. They see equal rights for anyone they don’t like as an attack on them.
For years now , whenever the subject of LGBT equality comes up as part of our national discourse, We here these claims that it is“Divisive” and it is an "attack" on “religious liberty” So I decided to look up the word `attack' in the dictionary. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines it as:
Hmmm… to set upon or work against forcefully huh? Ok, so if we take this argument seriously, for LGBT Americans to have EQUAL treatment as Irish Americans with the Irish Flag for St, Patrick’s day, or the Nativity Scene, Christmas Tree and Menorah in the Rotunda for the Holidays, or a State proclamation for Black history Month. For LGBT Wisconsinites to be given that SAME level of civic respect means Christians can't practice their religion?
No of course not.
The pride flag bothers Rep. Allen because a group he doesn’t like is being shown the SAME level of respect that he demands. Well, it turns out there is a word for someone who is irrationally fixed on the artificial preservation of inequality that they feel is in their favor. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines it as:
Bigot:
Pronunciation- 'bi-g&t Function: noun
MADISON, Wis. — Flying a gay pride rainbow flag over the Wisconsin state Capitol for the first time Friday drew backlash from conservatives, including a pair of state lawmakers, who said it was divisive, while Democrats hailed it as a sign of inclusivity.
The flag flap erupted after Democratic Gov. Tony Evers ordered the raising of the flag to recognize June as “Pride Month.” The move drew a fast rebuke from state Rep. Scott Allen, who tweeted, “Is this any more appropriate than erecting the Christian flag over the Capitol?”
Allen, who describes himself on Twitter as “Child of God/Family Man,” said in a follow-up message to the Associated Press that the rainbow flag “advocates a behavior or lifestyle that some Wisconsin residents may not condone. Therefore, it is divisive.”
Really? So the Nativity Scene in the WI Capitol Rotunda EVERY year , next to the massive Christmas Tree covered with CROSS shaped ornaments is what....? Just one more sign of just how "oppressed" the poor triggered members of Wisconsin Family Action, are?
It's not just that these people are upset that LGBT Americans have equal rights, they are upset that gays and lesbians have any rights at all. They see equal rights for anyone they don’t like as an attack on them.
For years now , whenever the subject of LGBT equality comes up as part of our national discourse, We here these claims that it is“Divisive” and it is an "attack" on “religious liberty” So I decided to look up the word `attack' in the dictionary. The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines it as:
Attack Pronunciation: &-'tak Function: verb
1 : to set upon or work against forcefully
2 : to assail with unfriendly or bitter words
3 : to begin to affect or to act on injuriously
4 : to set to work on
5 : to threaten (a piece in chess) with immediate capture
Uh.. ok.. How exactly?
Does that rainbow flag mean that Rep. Scott Allen must now fly a rainbow flag over his house? His Church? Does it mean he can now be fired for being not Gay? Does it mean he can be denied Housing, Health Benefits or service from any business because he is a “Child of God/Family Man,” ? Does it mean he will need to limit his travel because other countries will pass laws that say as a Heterosexual he is considered a threat to the state? Does that Rainbow Flag flying over the Capitol for 26 days mean that the life of Allen, or anyone like him has changed in any way?
No of course not.
The pride flag bothers Rep. Allen because a group he doesn’t like is being shown the SAME level of respect that he demands. Well, it turns out there is a word for someone who is irrationally fixed on the artificial preservation of inequality that they feel is in their favor. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines it as:
Bigot:
Pronunciation- 'bi-g&t Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, hypocrite, bigot
1: a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices .
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