Don't Say Gay

State Sen. Stacey Campfield from Tennessee has been backing a bill that would make it illegal for any educator to discuss homosexuality with students from Kindergarten through 8th grade.

The Senator then went on a radio program where he attempted to defend his bill and explain his views on homosexuals as well as his theories about HIV. The Senator’s comments became big news. A local restaurant owner threw him out of her restaurant and also made big news.

Now you would think that this is the part where I slam Sen. Campfield and tell you how ignorant he is and some other hateful things. It should be the part where I offer that restaurant owner a giant pat on the back. But it’s not.

First I’d like to point out that Sen. Campfield is not the only person in this country or politics who thinks some of the things he thinks about homosexuality.

I don’t agree with much he has to say regarding homosexuality but I do respect his right to speak publicly about his views. I also question the uproar that is being caused AFTER he has been elected. His views were not secret. He didn’t run on a platform supporting gay rights. He ran on a platform that spoke of Christian values.

I’m always curious when someone speaks of Christian values because they remind me of rights. Which values are we speaking of? Whose rights? By making  speaking about homosexuality illegal aren’t you denying the right to free speech? Or is it protecting Christian values. I’m confused so I won’t even get into the whole separation of church and state thing and which religion’s values to choose.

But back to Sen. Campfield.  He was elected into office. The people of Tennessee voted for him, at least, enough of them did. That would tell me that there are a lot of people in Tennessee who think what he thinks. Does it make them bad people? Does it make them all ignorant and hateful? I’m sure some are, but all of them?

I don’t think he should have been thrown out of that restaurant though I respect that owner’s right to choose who she serves. I do say she added just as much of an adversarial aspect to the issue as she feels he does.

Instead of calling names and drawing teams, why not look at the face of the issue. Why not sit down with Sen. Campfield and show him the human side of who he wants to legislate against. He may never change his mind. He may never agree with my view that he’s denying rights or that homosexuals are not something to be scared of. But an old saying comes to mind, something about catching more flies….

Sen. Campfield’s may not be as lucky as I am to have a close friend who is gay. The thought of whether or not he should be allowed around my kids had never even entered my mind. I never thought about whether or not my heterosexual friends should be allowed around my children based on who they sleep with. I always based it on the kind of people they were and I’d like to think I chose my friends wisely.

Still, there is a Senator in Tennessee who would like to make it illegal for educators to speak to kids about homosexuals and while I don’t expect any teacher to speak graphically about sex, homosexual or heterosexual, I wonder what is so scary about accepting that there are people in this world who are gay and letting that fact be a normal part of a conversation.

Instead of throwing him out of a restaurant, why not invite Sen. Campfield to be part of the discussion. Let him meet the people he is trying to legislate against and see that they are real people with feelings and families. Let him see that they are productive members of our society who pay taxes and also happen to vote. If you don’t like his legislation, don’t throw him out of your restaurant. Vote him out of office.

I must add that I did call Sen. Campfield’s office to speak to him about his legislation. I spoke with his assistant and was honest about my views being different. I don’t want to promote any hateful speech and I wanted to be fair to the Senator and give him a chance to not only explain his position but also to see the other side. I hope that he takes me up on that not just to get his side out but to really see the people that could be hurt by his legislation. Maybe sticks and stones break your bones, but words do hurt and so does legislation making words illegal.