Reply #61: It's much worse even than that...

[Ian David]

NO DOGS OR QUEERS ALLOWED --------- 5th Annual Pride Write-off
May 24 '04 (Updated Jun 25 '04)

The Bottom Line Discrimination never changes. Only the target does.

<snip>

But this e-mail was different. It was forwarded by a friend and it concerns a recent law currently in Michigan legislation--the “Conscientious Objector Policy Act” or COPA for short.

“Conscientious Objector”… what an odd term to use in a time of war. But this doesn’t refer to “The War on Terror” or “The Iraqi War”. It refers to “The War on Homosexuality”.

Simply put, this law would allow health care providers to assert their objection within 24 hours of when they receive notice of a patient or procedure with which they don't agree--this law gives physicians the right to refuse to treat a gay or lesbian patient. They can be turned away without referral to a doctor who would be willing to treat them. There is a stipulation that if it is a true emergency, then they must treat the patient--even if that patient is a gay or lesbian. Makes you wonder what type of treatment they’ll receive, doesn’t it? And wonder who decides what constitutes an emergency?

The insidiousness of this law bothers me greatly. It gives health care professionals the right to make moral judgments on their patients. It supports the right to discriminate based on sexual orientation or “lifestyle” choices. What “lifestyle” choices will be next?

<snip>

All this time I’ve been fighting for these rights, it never occurred to me that basic medical care might be a right for which I should be fighting. I’m always honest with my health care providers from the first moment they step into the cube. In a paper towel gown, it’s hard for me to be anything else but honest--I sweat when I lie. However, if I found out the best rheumatologist to treat fibromyalgia is homophobic, I might be tempted to lie. If the best oncologist was homophobic, I would definitely lie. It never dawned on me that I should be fighting for medical rights.

And who is the next group to get the okay to discriminate against homosexuals? Will it be my hair stylist? The guy who fixed my air conditioner? My mechanic? My veterinarian? Who will next hang out the sign that says: “NO DOGS OR QUEERS ALLOWED” and why are we allowing them to do it?

More:
http://www.epinions.com/content_3920666756





Also:

An Orthodox Jewish view of the Culture War

<snip>

Do you want an idea of their ultimate, Final Solution, to "The Gay Problem?"

Michigan just passed The Conscientious Objector Policy Act (COPA) which would allow physicians, pharmacists, and health care insurers to refuse medical treatment to any individual they choose on "ethical, moral, or religious grounds."
www.365gay.com/newscon04/04/042904michFolo.htm
www.tgcrossroads.org/news/?aid=870
http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/opinion/8709907.htm
http://www.washblade.com/2004/5-7/news/healthnews/HIBS.cfm
http://www.michiganlegislature.org/mileg.asp?page=getObject&objName=2003-HB-5006

While the law forbids "conscientious objections" due to race and religion, they rejected an amendment to the bill that would have included sexual orientation on the list of those who could not be discriminated against.

They also rejected an amendment that would have required an objector to provide a referral to another service provider.

And the bill does make an exception for "emergency treatment," but does not specify what constitutes an emergency-- for example, is bleeding to death an emergency, or is something like a broken arm (not life threatening, but painful) an emergency?

There are COPA laws in the works in several other states right now. I honestly believe that if we do not do something soon, this will be the first true step in the next Holocaust.

More:
http://www.worldmagblog.com/blog/archives/002364.html