We’re pretty sure that the only real items on the notorious Gay Agenda are to make everyone dress better and smell nice. That and having equal rights, so nothing too scary, really. However, those who fear same-sex couples seem to think that we are out to get them and their children, wherever they may be…in church, at school or pretty much anywhere an unsuspecting and innocent heterosexual might suddenly be pounced on and converted. So here is a growing list of myths and their correlating facts about the “Gay Agenda” and the effects of Same-Sex Marriage:
MYTH: There is an aggressive, pro-homosexual “Gay Agenda.”
FACT: Nope. While many think that we get prizes for converting straight people to gay, we in fact do not receive toaster ovens or washer/dryer sets. So aside from wanting the same rights as everyone else in the eyes of the law, the gay community is as diverse as the country and each person has their own agenda. Interestingly enough, it would appear that the phrase “gay agenda” was actually coined by the anti-gay group, The Family Research Council. However, for a humorous take on the gay agenda, click here.
MYTH: If Same-Sex Marriage passes, every church will be forced to perform same-sex marriages, whether or not they believe in them.
FACT: This is absolutely not the case. This is one of those places where Church and State are still separated. For example, under Catholic doctrine, if a Catholic person wants to marry someone outside the faith, they cannot get married inside a Catholic church. The couple can still get married in the eyes of the law, but the religion does not need to perform the ceremony or recognize it.
MYTH: A church will lose it’s tax-exempt status for refusing to perform same-sex marriages.
FACT: Again, this just isn’t true as described in this article in the San Diego Union-Tribune. A number of legal experts agree that state and federal constitutions provide protection for churches in this regard. The example that the commercials brought up where a New Jersey church lost part of its exempt status had to do with the commercial enterprises that the church were running and nothing to do with their religious activities.
Ironically, there is an investigation into behavior during the 2008 election in regards to Proposition 8 by the Mormon Church that could result in fines. When tax-exempt organizations get involved in the political process by making endorsements, they then risk losing their status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. If you have some time on your hands, you can also read the IRS Publication entitled “Election Year Issues” that further explains how this part of the tax code is meant to separate Church and State. Ultimately, as a result of fear-mongering that not passing Proposition 8 would cause churches to lose their tax-exempt status, involved churches could be fined or…lose their tax exempt status!
MYTH (SORT OF): If same-sex marriage is allowed, schools will be forced to teach about same-sex marriage.
FACT: Same-sex marriage, per se, is not taught. There are two issues which do come up, however. The one that upsets the opponents of same-sex marriage the most is that, under California Education Code Section 51933, “Instruction and materials shall teach respect for marriage and committed relationships.” If same-sex marriages became legal, this would be included. (We are still investigating whether or not domestic partnerships are currently taught by the California Educational System…does anyone know where we can find a resource that will definitively answer this?) ALLorNotAtAll approves of teaching students about committed relationships in regards to sexual behavior, however, we believe that marriage shouldn’t be taught in school at all, regardless of the gender of the participants. What are your thoughts on this? Please shoot an email to josh@allornotatall.org and let him know!
We actually find it reprehensible that many of the opponents of same-sex marriage also object to the part of the California Education Code Section 220 for public schools that states: “No person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of…sexual orientation…” This is the section that keeps teachers from teaching that it’s ok to discriminate against gays. This is the section that helps keep gay, lesbian and bisexual students from being unduly bullied or harrassed at school. They don’t like that “the instruction ‘may not reflect or promote bias against any person on the basis of any category protected by Section 220′ (which includes sexual orientation).” It’s bad enough when kids are picked on by their peers. It’s shameful when the adults find that to be acceptable.
In an effort to keep both sides honest, we believe it was inappropriate for a class of first graders to attend their teacher’s same-sex wedding as an organized school trip. It is amazingly sweet and it was actually initiated by a parent of one of the students, and we absolutely think it was appropriate for the children to attend the wedding of a beloved teacher…but not as an event sponsored by the school. They considered it an historical event and labeled it a “teachable moment.” We agree heartily. But it was not the school’s job to teach that moment.
This list will continue and grow…feel free to send more suggestions to josh@allornotatall.org.
