Earlier this week, when I read that the current California Legislature had “passed an unprecedented fourteen bills and one resolution sponsored by Equality California (EQCA),” I wondered if I should be as delighted as that left-wing group about the amount of pro-gay legislation. As one who favors small government, I am skeptical of this spate of supposedly pro-gay bills.
Basically, I think all the state legislature need do is pass bills recognizing same-sex unions and providing domestic partnership benefits to state employees. Beyond that, any legislation promoting gay “equality” would pretty much be at the expense of the freedom of Californians. While Governor Schwarzenegger has signed a few bills, including at least one I support, SB 1441, which prevents “says state-operated and state-funded programs from discriminating “against anyone based on their sexual orientation (among other things).” This is one law which doesn’t compromise anyone’s freedom.
While I’m averse to the government telling a private institution how to act, like Robbie (who tipped me off to the Governor’s approval of this bill), “I cannot understand how the inability of religious organizations to receive government money is an infringement on their basic constitutional freedoms.” If the religious organizations want to discriminate against gays, they remain free to do so; they just won’t get any government money.
Another bill I hope the Governor signs in SB 1827 which would allow same-sex partners to fill joint state tax returns.
Beyond that, I fear that much of the legislation enacted would only serve to increase the power of the state at the expense of the freedom of individual Californians. That’s why I think the Governor did the right thing when he vetoed SB 1437, authored by the state Senator formerly known as Zelda Gilroy, Sheila Kuehl.
Senator Kuehl’s bill would have barred discrimination against sexual orientation and gender identity in school textbooks. While that sounds like a noble goal, I think we should only pass legislation when there’s a compelling need to fix a problem. And unless there a California textbooks — and/or instructional materials — which paint a bad picture of gay people, there’s no need for such legislation.
Like Robbie, I fear that if enacted, this bill would “allow historical editorializing by people with a particular identity agenda.” Who would define non-discrimination? Would people who assume that merely being Republican amounts to being anti-gay (of whom there are many in the Golden State) be evaluating school curricula? Would such people be offended at educational materials promoting responsible sexual behavior as some gays (even advocates of gay marriage) believe that gay men have a more difficult time controlling their sexual urges?
If the Governor had signed the bill, it would have given greater power to state bureaucrats to monitor local curricula. And many education bureaucrats in the Golden State have a leftist political bent.
Robbie said it best when he wrote that the issues raised by this legislation:
inadvertantly illustrate the hazards of the bottomless well of identity politics – every group will want every protection under the sun based on this or that arbitrary categorization with the end result being government micromanagement of everyone’s life based on a series of perceived slights.
Instead of attempting to micromanage our lives with a vast array of allegedly pro-gay legislation, we should focus on a few basic laws, i.e., legislation guaranteeing our freedom, recognizing our unions and providing partnership benefits to same-sex state employees. This spate of legislation in the Golden State advocated by Equality California demonstrates the transformation of the gay rights’ groups into “equality” groups. The more they focus on using legislation to advance equality, the less they concern themselves with freedom as they promote legislation transfering power from from individuals, private associations and local governments to ever-expanding state bureaucracies.
The governor was right to sign SB 1441 and to veto SB 1437. Let’s hope he signs SB 1427 which, in allowing same-sex partners to file joint state tax returns, corrects an oversight in the original legislation recognizing such partnerships in the Golden State. And once each state has passed the limited legislation we need, gay groups shouldn’t turn to government to fix every problem in society, but should instead encourage gay people to work within our communities to improve our own lives — and those of family, friends and neighbors, regardless of their sexual orientation.
-Dan (AKA GayPatriotWest): GayPatriotWest@aol.com
So that’s who Sheila Kuehl is! I remember seeing her name and wondering why it rang a bell…now I know why. She was on Dobie Gillis!
Two things – first, why is it when a LibDem who was formerly in show business gets elected to public office, the MSM never lets on?
For example, compare and contrast Sheila K’s public image versus guys like Sonny Bono (R – CA), Clint Eastwood, and of course, Ronaldus Magnus. Every time the press would comment upon these guys – all Republicans, of course – they’d mention their Hollywood days: movies, TV, “Bedtime for Bonzo,” Cher, et al.
But get a big ole liberal dyke like Sheila or Nancy Kulp (Miz Jane from the Beverly Hillbillies) in office, and the Drive-By Media doesn’t DARE allude to the fact that they were in show business! Oh, no! They are RESPECTED PUBLIC OFFICIALS now. Gasp and swoon!
Typical Scribes, Pharisees and hypocrites.
Second point – I heard that the Governator had to apologize for calling a Latina a “hot blooded woman,” and even the lawmaker herself said that it was not a big deal! In fact, the only one making hay out of this is demoncRAT Phil Angelides (who I predict will lose the race to Arnold).
Actually, I saw the picture of the Hispanic woman in question. Yep, she sure does look hot blooded to me! Of course, I’d rather look at hot-blooded guys like Antonio Banderas or Ricky Martin any day….
While I’m on the topic, did anyone else have the hots for Alejandro Rey? Even as a kid, he got my motor running.
Regards,
Peter H.
LOL. Instead of just “hoping”, why don’t you call the governor and ask him to sign it? And do you think the opposition to the bill isn’t calling him?
Vote Santorum and anyone else that will screw gay and lesbian people any chance they can!! Vote Santorum and the hell with gay people!! Let them rot in hell.
I hope for a day when this kind of crap isn’t even an issue anymore.
I am sick of it.
Most of the “community” that I hang with have no interest in marriage. But they do want the tax advantages and partner rights of a civil union.
I can’t understand how these things are controversial…
And it looks like Peter Hughes and I can finially agree on something…Alejandro Rey…
perhaps he is the bridge that will bring us to common ground
Sheila Kuehl’s acting background has been mentioned in almost every story I’ve ever read about her. She is often referred to as “former child-star…etc.”.
But exactly why is that information relevant anyway? What does it matter? Actually in most cases, I see no reason why it should be mentioned.
Besides, Dobie Gillis was a loooooonnngg time ago. Thousands of years in Hollywood-land time. It was in black and white for goodness sake. And she did not do any other acting to speak of besides that series. Actually if memory servers she had a career in real estate before running for the legislature. (i could be wrong). But she did not directly go from being an actor to being a politician.
Even though “Dobie Gillis” was way before my time (I’m 42), I knew that Sheila Kuehl was a former child actress. It’s not just conservatives that have their show business past mentioned. Liberals like former congressman Ben Jones (D-Georgia) was “Cooter” on the Dukes of Hazzard. John Hall (formerly with the rock group Orleans (“Still The One” & “Dance With Me”)) is running as a Democrat in New York’s 19th District (against incumbent Sue Kelly); so I’m sure that album cover of John half-naked with his bandmates will surface during the campaign. A final point: #3 (jimmy) is not me!! I don’t know if he was being sarcastic, but his comment just left a bad taste in my mouth.
#4 – Glad to see you have such good taste in men!
And you will see that those of us on the right side of the aisle are not the evil, mean-spirited demons that we are characterized as in the mainstream media. We only get defensive when the truth is misrepresented or the facts misstated. We also get fed up with those who consider themselves “tolerant” and increasingly show their INtolerance of our views and beliefs.
#5 – If you can show where Sheila Kuehl was referred to as a “former child star” in any mainstream media article (and I’m not talking about The Nation or The Advocate), I’d like to see it. So far, I have not seen it yet – which prompted my posting in the first place. It is my belief that the MSM does not apply the same standards to identifying former show-biz people based upon their party. I’d like to be proven wrong, but I doubt it…
#6 – And yes, I remember Ben Jones as being referred to as “Cooter” during his candidacy, but not once when he was in office. Same thing with Fred Grandy (R-IN) who was “Gopher” on the Love Boat. Funny thing is that unlike Jones, Grandy got reelected to his seat – as did Bono.
Regards,
Peter H.
“The more they focus on using legislation to advance equality, the less they concern themselves with freedom”
Dan, you hit the nail on the head, the left is about equality, not freedom. When you promote equality, you are controlling peoples lives. When you promote freedom, you are allowing the individual to determine his/her destiny.
As for California text books, they don’t mention sexual orientation in any context. They do of course mention racial groups. So how do you force sexual orientation into the nations text books (it starts with CA, but quickly moves to the rest of the country).
You create an anti discrimination law, then the non mention becomes discrimination and the next thing you know, all text books, from kindergarten up, must mention some Gay or Lesbian person.
The days when our children could be innocent and ignorant of sexual issues are over. The indocrtination must start at the earliest stage possible.
#7 To Peter H.: Fred Grandy was from Iowa, not Indiana. (Just being nit-picky)
#9 – Thanks, Jimbo. I knew it was somewhere in the Midwest. My apologies to all Hawkeyes and Hoosiers.
Regards,
Peter H.
#8 to Leah, we all have our identities when we are young. We may be straight or queer as children. There is an emotional and sexual component, but unfortunately people like to treat people who are different like trash. We dont have to discuss the sexual fundamentals to the very young, but just state that some people may have emotional feelings that are very deep to the same sex and people should not be crucified for those feelings.
Should we just beat up the traditionalists because they dont let the closeted queer youth live in peace? There are many issues and consequenses about providing a safe school enviroment for all students. SB 1437 was horribly written, but maybe if Sheila worked with Arnold and Log Cabin California she may get something worthwhile implemented.
Leah, the scenario you outline is both cynical and –I think at least– right. The radical Left learned long ago that controlling the textbooks and the libraries are valuable paths to philosophical hegemony by the Left. How dare society limit the use of public library computers to scan the internet for kiddie porn? Outrageous! How dare a textbook call Admiral Chris Columbus an explorer –he was evil bent on dominating other cultures, peoples.
“Safe school environments” to the Left means that their political agenda gets advanced –and references to religion, religious freedom, religious values of the Founding Fathers, the immorality of affirmative action and racial quota programs, the intrinsic worth of business and enterprise, free markets, profit –all are lost.
It’s called a culture war because of a fringed, minority element in our culture wishes to disenfranchise everyone else in a rush for political correctness.
Like hammering business and industry at every turn while glorifying the role of unions in making American economic might superior to all in the world… it’s a culture war. Textbooks and libraries are two preferred battlegrounds for the radical Left.
And M-Matt, don’t forget that college campuses are just as fierce a battleground as the other two. Take a look at what the GayLibLeft is doing at Georgia Tech:
http://www.townhall.com/columnists/MikeSAdams/2006/09/10/wayne%e2%80%99s_world
Regards,
Peter Hughes
SB 1437 was horribly written, but maybe if Sheila worked with Arnold and Log Cabin California she may get something worthwhile implemented.
And pigs will take off and fly first.
One thing that needs to be kept in mind is that Kuehl, Leno, Migden, and the other members of the so-called “GLBT caucus” in Sacramento are complete and total puppets of the Democratic Party, brought out to entertain and amuse guests, then thrown back into the closet and told to be quiet when it might “embarrass” their masters.
What’s worse is that the so-called “gay rights” groups like Equality California aid and abet this continued control of GLBTs by Democrats. For instance, even when confronted with a GLBT candidate who is appropriate for the office and supports equality, like Steve Sion, EQCA will endorse his opponent — because Steve Sion is a Republican. The Democratic Party wants GLBTs as a safe, controlled population, and someone who owes them no allegiance is dangerous and deadly to them — so they order their puppet groups like EQCA to fight him.
SB 1437 was a classic Kuehl bill — written with no sense of reality to fix a nonexistent problem and promoted by Democrats as bait for glbts and as an anti-Schwarzenegger cudgel. They know that most gays are so lobotomized towards the Democratic Party that they will mindlessly buy into the Dems’ pandering, and they know that Kuehl will prostitute herself for scraps from the party, even if it involves putting forth abjectly-stupid legislation like this.
Good points Peter and NDXXX.
I could not agree more with what you are saying. I feel that as a society we tend to over look certain basic freedoms that
everyone is entitled to. Your sexual orientation should not matter in terms of your freedom, religious beliefs and political
views. It is a shame that many government-funded groups do not acknowledge gay partnerships as a legal union. I can
think of many gay couples I know that are more in love and committed than most of my straight married friends. I think that
the government needs to stay out of our love lives and accept that everyone deserves the same treatment and financial
breaks. Including tax cuts and every other freedom that comes with being in a legally recognized marriage. I found your
blog fascinating and would love to hear more on the topic. Keep up the wonderful work!