Controlling the semantics

While everyone seems to be talking about the gay porn star who spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference, I will ignore it.

I will also purposefully ignore the Ann Coulter/John Edwards controversy. Every time I see or hear Ann Coulter, a part of me tunes her out because I know that what comes out of her mouth is designed to shock, not progress dialogue.

I find her boring.

I would prefer to talk about something more important and vital to our community. Earlier today, I mentioned an upcoming anti-gay fest in Illinois. This is why that event is going to take place:

Several parents are claiming that mandatory freshman orientation class at Deerfield High School in Illinois which includes a segment where teens from the Straight and Gay Alliance, a school club, speak about there experiences as gay high school is encouraging homosexuality.

The classes are designed to help students adjust to high school; parents who object to the content can have their children excused.

However, a resident of Deerfield, Lora Sue Hauser, wants the panel discontinued. Hauser, the leader of a group called North Shore Student Advocacy, says that parents and trained counselors are better equipped to handle the issues brought up in the classes.

Gay issues is only one part of this orientation, but it is the only part that parents object to.

Hence our friend Peter LaBarbera will be paying a visit to the area to spin all of his conspiracy theories and lies about the lgbt community.

What is happening in Illinois is something that the anti-gay industry is attempting in various places in the country. If schools or any other entity don't approach discussions of gay people using their narrow-minded interpretations, then somehow the discussions are actually indoctrinations.

And please note the semantics here. In the mouths of the anti-gay industry (be they Concerned Women for American, Americans for Truth (in name only), the American Family Association, etc.), the use of words and phrases like "promoting homosexuality" or "indoctrinating children into the homosexual lifestyle" are designed to pull the emotional strings of people, and thereby motivate them through a combination of fear and their religious beliefs rather than truth.

To call this a skilled technique in huge plan to portray the lgbt community as angry alien outsiders is not paranoia on my part.

How is it when these folks try to define who we are based on their lies, they are telling the truth, but when we are explaining our lives, we are trying to "recruit."

I find it ironic that they spin tales of gay people trying to silence Christians because in this case, just who is trying to silence who?

Old Tactic, New Method
or
The Ghost of Anita Bryant

Special Event!
Culture Campaign hosts God, Sex, and the Culture War
featuring Peter LaBarbera, Lora Sue Hauser, and Laurie Higgins
The Gay Agenda: No Child Left Behind…
Sunday, Mar 11, at 7:15 pm
at College Church in Wheaton, IL

Apparently our friend Peter LaBarbera is intent on taking Robert Knight's place when it comes to spouting anti-gay hysteria.

My guess is that Matt Barber is soon going to be overshadowed. Since getting Robert Knight's old job with Concerned Women for America, he has been extremely light weight.

Peter, on the other hand, has been trying to shoot out of the gate with his group Americans for Truth (in name only). as witnessed by the event that will take place in Illinois on March 11.

I see he is using the old "gays wants to recruit children" tactic that served Anita Bryant so well in the 70s and that other so-called "pro-family" groups continue to hint upon.

This is from the group aiding Americans for Truth (in name only) to put on the event:

Who is going to be there? A panel comprised of the following:A Christian teacher [from] a school district whose administration is peppered with gays and lesbians, so that the school very intensely promotes homosexual lifestyles… A parent who [will explain] how to find out exactly what is being taught [in your local school] and how to respectfully dissent… The leader of Americans for Truth who will inform you about legal issues and situations that have or will impact you, your family and your parental authority….

In other words, a bunch of hysterical adults and Peter LaBarbera, who will act as the puppet master, molding the ignorance and the fear of said hysterical adults to his liking. The idea of a secret gay cabal controlling interests in public schools is silly, but it will no doubt be the idea folks putting on this event will try to spin.

It may seem funny but don't be so quick to laugh. Ignorant people can do a lot of damage when they are manipulated. It's up to us to make sure that the truth comes out.

And let's not forget what exactly is the truth is: Gay students and parents of gay students are tired of getting pushed around and marginalized. They are educating each other and the population at large on their needs and interests. They are not allowing anyone to define them by ignorance and they are not taking a backseat to anyone's religious beliefs.

They are standing up for themselves and their God-given right to self-determination, in accordance to the spirit to which this country was founded upon.

Sorry Peter and the puppets. No conspiracy here. Just good old fashioned American values.