Giving Bigotry the Stamp of Approval

January 15, 2005
By Thomas Crews

On Monday January 10, 2005 the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) refused to hear an appeal to the Florida ban on gay adoptions. The law was enacted in 1977 at the height of Anita Bryant's anti-homosexual campaign. It states: "No person eligible to adopt under this statute may adopt if that person is a homosexual."

The law's sponsor, Florida Senator Curtis Peterson, stated that it was enacted to send a clear message to homosexuals that said, "we're really tired of you. We wish you'd go back into the closet."

Those who supported and continue to support this law are contending that a state has the right to promote "traditional families," and those of us who aren't using buzz words are, rightfully, saying the law is excluding potential parents for thousands of children who are trapped within the foster care system.

One cannot help but draw the conclusion that the Justices are either cowards, bigots or both.

In refusing to hear this appeal they've placed their stamp of approval on discrimination based on sexual orientation. Even worse, they've simultaneously condemned thousands of children to never know stable and loving parents. Even Mississippi, hardly what anyone would call the bastion of tolerance, allows single homosexuals to adopt children.

However, this does nothing to mention the glaringly obvious hypocrisy of the Florida law. Homosexuals, while not allowed to adopt, are allowed to become foster parents. So apparently we're good enough to watch over children until the state can either find them a home or they become legal adults, all the while operating for all intents and purposes as their parents, but aren't good enough to sign a piece of paper that allows the children to call us legally "Daddy" or "Mommy."

God forbid little Johnny from legally having the same two Daddies he's known since he was born because his mother was a drug addict. Or Amanda from having two Mommies she's known since she was 3 because her Father was molesting her. No, no, we can't have good homosexual parents in Florida, at least not legally, because it would look like we are giving them the stamp of approval to continue with their "distasteful and sinful lifestyle."

And really, we must admit that this is what it is all about. The far right fringe of America - or as I call them, the American Taliban - really don't care about the children. They'd rather see them languish in the system from birth to adulthood than see them in a stable and loving environment where they are safe and their basic needs are met. It's all about punishing us, the homosexuals, even if it is at the expense of innocent children - who are already being placed in our care.

The Justices of the Supreme Court should be impeached. They took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. Their fear - which is without a doubt well-founded - of being called "activist judges" should hold no bearing over anything. They aren't there to be popular, nor are they there to make friends. This issue may be a touchy issue for many, and they surely would have received a wave of heated criticism, but as my mother always told me, "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

They have a clearly-defined duty, they are supposed to be impartial, placing their personal thoughts and feelings aside, avoiding the prejudice fabricated and created by a extremist sect of the American Public. Part of their job is also to ensure that the government does not abuse its authority over the people, and to protect those in the minority from the populist inclinations of the legislature which are dictated by the easily-manipulated opinions of the general public.

The measure of any civilization is the care and concern for the weak and helpless, and especially the children who are both. The dismissing of this appeal leaves homosexuals vulnerable to the whims of a populist legislature, and denies countless children the divine right to have a loving home where they will be protected and have their basic needs fulfilled.

Despite what the far right and the SCOTUS may think of the homosexual population personally, the children should come first. The far right should no longer be in command of any authority, least of all any that deals with the subject of "morality."

Even cannibalistic salamanders, a lower form of life, spare their young; something which unfortunately cannot be said for the Justices, who were more than willing to feed them to a sect of rabid wolves. Thus, they've given their stamp of approval to the extremist right wing of America, which will allow them to continue sacrificing innocent young children on their bloody altar of bigotry and hate.

Thomas's blog can be found at http://gayusa.blogspot.com/