Today in the local news

and my thoughts on the event

Kirkwood Council shows support for protections for sexual orientation and gender identity

    "KIRKWOOD • The City Council gave preliminary approval Thursday night to extending the protections of the city anti-discrimination ordinance to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
The council’s unanimous voice vote followed a long parade of speakers and activists on both sides who addressed the council.
Mayor Arthur McDonnell said later that he expected the measure would easily be passed at the next council meeting.
On Thursday, he told residents that he believed “in Kirkwood as well as the United States of America, all citizens should be treated equally under the law. I am very much in favor of this.”
Councilman Bob Spears said: ”There are lots of issues that come before council that are difficult for me. Of all of these, this is the easiest one for me to approve. I am very proud of this.”
Those who spoke against the measure included some activists who  have appeared at other municipal meetings where similar measures have been passed. Those include St. Louis County, University City,Clayton, Creve Coeur, Ferguson, Maplewood, Olivette and Richmond Heights, as well as the city of St. Louis.
The Kirkwood Human Rights Commission had recommended that the council approve it and had worked with City Attorney John Hessel.
Darnel Frost, chair of the HRC, said at the meeting, ”I challenge each and every one of you to ask yourselves how would you handle being told you don’t belong, or you’re not good enough or you don’t look or act the right way, or that you can’t be with the person you love?”
Several residents who opposed the measure asked whether the existing laws already protected “all the people.” Some also said the bill seemed too vague.
Among these people, resident David Geger said, “I don’t see the need for any further rights for a special group.” He said there could be unintended consequences.
Raynell Geger, his wife, asked if the Human Rights Commission had ever received a complaint regarding discrimination against people who are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual or transgender."

And now my thoughts!

    

       I really don't get these kind of things I mean is it really needed shouldn't people just I don't know LEAVE OTHERS ALONE if you don't like something someones doing don't act all offended and get uppity just leave they aren't forcing you to watch a TV show or think there way or anything like that. we wouldn't need stuff like this if people would just stop hiding behind the PC mantra and be American which is to say if you don't like gay marriage don't have of,if you don't like abortions don't have one but for my sake and the sake of the people around you don't be uppity and claim offense at something and hide under the guise of religion or morality which your solely based on your point of view and nothing else use reason and logic....and just maybe when your working through the what and why you might find the real reason for your feelings and think to yourself "hey that how I feel about but if I was in his place then....." FYI this works both ways just because you don't hold the same views as another don't claim racism or bigotry and try and shame that person into silence, Again use reason and logic to understand that persons views and then you can better explain yourself to them in away they might understand and if that doesn't work just remember they are welcome to think differently than you but not force you to think as they do or beat you over the head with their point of views till your silent. So if all else fails walk away and take the moral high ground that will always work better speak loader in the long run than getting upset and yelling at them that they are foolish and acting like child by saying accepting the right to free speech and belief and yet not extending the same to others. 

As always thanks for reading 

Jim