Great Americablog Post: Lesbian Exposes The Moral Bankrupcy Of The Unraveling 'Family Values' Crowd

[Hissyspit]

http://www.americablog.com/2007/09/exposing-moral-bankruptcy-of-unraveling.html

Exposing the moral bankruptcy of the unraveling professional 'family values' crowd
by Pam Spaulding · 9/25/2007 11:39:00 PM ET

At the religious right's Family Impact Summit this past weekend, a brave woman took on the self-righteous, prevaricators at the event. Cathy James, a lesbian, who has a child and is in a committed relationship with a partner, stood up and politely challenged the anti-gay statements of the panelists and John Stemberger and Peter Sprigg were guffawing to address her.

Jim Burroway of Box Turtle Bulletin was there as she brilliantly framed her questions to the panel.

Hi. My names is Cathy James and I would like to challenge all of the individuals here listening today to really take a look at some of the rationale and some of the comments that speakers have given in regard to things such as ?why government gets involved with personal relationships, that is, for the procreation of children. I think as most of the attorneys will tell you, that civil marriage was created for one purpose only, and that was property and how to divide property.

And so I am a lesbian, I live in the Riverview area with my partner of thirteen years and our son who is seven. And I go to work Monday through Friday and attend church weekly, I volunteer at the school, I volunteer at the homeowners association. And what I have a hard time understanding is why you are interested in keeping a legal framework from us in being able to handle the same things as heterosexual couples and such things as visitation, and hospital?. And how to divide our property in the same way, and how to parent our child?

The stunned silence was amazing. John Stemberger thanked her for coming and tried to stammer out an answer. He said that some forms of discrimination are perfectly legitimate ("home ownership benefits society in the way renters do not.") and ended by saying, "marriage uniquely benefits society in the way same sex couples do not." But Cathy remained calm and firm:

But in what way? What's the difference in the benefit? How does your marriage benefit society more than my relationship with my same gender partner does not? Peter Sprigg jumped in to assert that "without question" the best family structure was headed by a man and a woman. But Cathy persisted:

"But now you're devaluing, what, over fifty percent of the children who live with one parent or that one parent as died or that they're divorced and now they're just living with one parent. You're devaluing them and that's not fair.

By now the panel was speechless, leaving Peter Sprigg to stumble around trying to get his footing.

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[fenriswolf]

1. hoo raaa sing it k&r

[dickbearton]

18. It's time we all stand by Cathy...

And confront these hatemongers.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

2. Bravo!

:applause:

[Hissyspit]

3. .

[Cha]

4. That's what's in our country NOW..

the way Cathy James was so strong and eloquent in her confrontation with questions that kept coming until it was obvious they had no idea how to defend their positions.

The way David Shuster confronted marsha blackburn yesterday on cable. We need someone like Cathy James to confront the warmongers..not cover up with Terra Terra Terra, Sabre Rattle, Sabre Rattle, Sabre Rattle.

[Hissyspit]

5. morning kick n/t

[H2O Man]

6. Beautiful.

Nominated.

[Imagevision]

7. Geeez, where's Lynn Cheney when you really need her???

[DeSwiss]

8. Moral bankruptcy....

...is exactly what it is. My congratulations for the courage of Cathy James to talk-down her detractors. :applause:

And Pam Spaulding is one of the greatest reporters out there. If you've never had the chance, check out http://www.pamshouseblend.com/frontPage.do">Pam's House Blend. :bounce:

K&R!!!

[flashl]

9. How can there be benefits in a morally bankrupted society? n/t

[sinkingfeeling]

10. I applaud Cathy James. We should all speak truth to these bigots.

[Hissyspit]

11. afternoon kick n/t

[Coexist]

12. awesome!

[Hissyspit]

13. I think I'll kick again. n/t

[Twig]

14. And a kick from me...

:kick: This was wonderful.

Twig

[pingzing58]

15. To challenge them with the truth is always the best path to take! Cudos to those who do.

[MedleyMisty]

16. I want to be her friend

She sounds like a really cool person.

[yardwork]

17. k&r. Thank you.

[NoGodsNoMasters]

19. Sing it sister!!!

If I knew this lady I'd buy her a drink. just wish I'd seen it.

[yardwork]

20. Welcome to DU!

She sounds like a wonderful person to me, too.

[RushIsRot]

21. What a brilliant person! She did herself proud while showing up

the bigots for what they are.