Calling Coulter on It
William Lauderback
Executive Vice President
The American Conservative Union
1007 Cameron St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
Dear Mr. Lauderback:
I am completely taken back by Ann Coulter's use of the hateful name-calling ( 'total fag' ) at this year's Conservative Political Action Conference.
There is no room for this type of speech within the political realm, especially that of conservatives who should believe in much higher personal integrity and responsibility.
I call on you to reject such hateful name-calling on behalf of the American Conservative Union and refuse to provide Ms. Coulter a forum until she has apologized for such appalling bad taste. While Ms. Coulter may dislike Al Gore, calling him a 'total fag' is no way to address any issue. It only serves to show that she is unaware of the hurtful potential that words can have toward certain valued members of our society.
Sincerely,
David J. Valkema
President
Log Cabin Republicans—Chicago Chapter
Off the Pace
Recently, Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chief of Staffs, stated that he believed homosexual acts to be 'immoral.' This statement does not go to his support or opposition to any gay-related issue. Rather, his comment goes right to the issue of the legitimacy of LGBT people to exist in current society. In the face of such abhorrent bigotry, we expected our political friends to immediately stand up and denounce Gen. Pace's comments. When they didn't, members of the LGBT community were stunned. Let me explain why.
So many of us who are LGBT got very, very scared in this country the past six years wondering whether we were the equivalent of the Jews in Germany in the mid '30s. I can't begin to tell you how many hundreds, if not thousands, of conversations I've had the past six years on this point— and, indeed, I know many financially successful LGBT couples who have bought homes in Central America, Canada or New Zealand in case they needed to flee this country on a moment's notice. That's where the fear we have comes from.
That's why we get very frightened when our friends hesitate even for a moment to stand up when we are put back into second- or third-class citizenship or even made to feel nonexistent. Maybe the fear is irrational, but so was my parents' fear—and they ended up being sole survivors of each of their families, the rest of whom were murdered in the Holocaust.
Michael Bauer
Chicago
Hope for Unity
Peace to you and your loved ones during this Holy Season of Lent.
Recently there has been what I consider non-violent tension between Soulforce and the Rainbow Sash Movement ( RSM ) . I believe this tension has been caused because of issues of communication. It is my hope that we can move beyond this, learn to work together, and respect each others religious integrity. In my opinion, this can only be accomplished by open and honest communication.
The recent Press Release which was released to the national gay media happened after a lot of thought and prayer. Initially we had been contacted by a Soulforce bus organizer to endorse the Soulforce action. We began to gather facts by reaching out to our local Notre Dame membership, and reading the University's policies around same sex issues. Again, we tried to open direct lines of communicaton with Soulforce leadership, to no avail.
The question that must be raised is that of Catholic schema, verses Non Catholic schema. I believe this was a lost opportunity for our two organizations to honestly and respectfully discuss this matter.
The Catholic Church continues to lead a world wide war on the human rights of LGBTQ people. We understand there is much for us and others to do to combat this type of homophobia. We need all the help and prayers we can get. While I cannot speak for other Catholic glbtq organizations I think we would find common ground with that observation. However, we must do the work within the frame work of our Catholic faith. Speaking for me, your support in that frame work would be welcomed, and appreciated.
Throughout this process we believe our actions were above board, and respectful of those we were dealing with. At no time did we stop reaching out to Soulforce, but those attempts fell on silent ears. Lacking this communication our leadership decided to follow the Notre Dame Rainbow Sash Movements request not to endorse the Soulforce action because of disingenuous communication with their local LGBTQ leadership.
During these 40 days of Lent it is my prayer that both organizations pause to reflect on Christ's life and mission. All of us have fallen short. If individual members of Soulforce have been upset with us because of our Press Release; I ask for your forgiveness, that was not our intent
God Bless,
Joe Murray
U.S. Convener
Rainbow Sash Movement
