Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Why Non-Discrimination Laws Are Needed - Reason #2,354,931

I've ranted about the kind of nastiness that can be levelled at people for being different many times on this blog. In the last couple of weeks, there has been a surprising amount of vileness in the news: a lesbian couple gets assaulted, another couple is denied housing, and a transwoman was shot to death.

Then we have the latest whining out of Peter Labarbera based on a non-discrimination clause in the Obama transition team hiring application page:

The Obama-Biden Transition Project does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by law.


Whines The Peter:

Will big-boned men in dresses and high heels like this fellow be allowed to use women’s restrooms in federal buildings under the Obama Administration? That’s what Obama’s plan to create “rights” based on gender confusion might bring.


I won't even begin to tear apart the errors in LaBarbera's ignorant tirade. Suffice it to say, that it is the insane rantings of people like him that make it abundantly clear that broadly inclusive non-discrimination laws are absolutely necessary. As are harsher remedial laws like S. 318 of the Canadian Criminal Code.

Ironically, religion is so often the root source of discrimination against marginalized groups, and it is one of the first rights to be recognized and protected in law. (and rightly, it should be) As long as people like LaBarbera cloak themselves in religiosity, the good that many faiths do will be masked by the blunt nastiness and ignorance.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just finished looking at Peters' website. That website comes real close to promoting hatred. Perfect example of where 'Freedom of Speech' can be abused.

SB

Anonymous said...

The BC Human Rights Commission recommended that the religion defence be removed from the criminal code hate provisions.

Religious hate should not be allowed, for it is the most dangerious.

It is also time to remove the criminal code provision that required the approval of the Attorney General before any hate charge can be laid. This clearly puts gays at a lower level of protection that other protected groups, particularly when there is a Conservative - Reigh-wing government that continuously refused to give equality rights to homosexuals.

Just ask Alberta's Attorney General why he will not approve criminal charges of willfully promoting hatred against Bill Whatcott for his latest "Kill the Homosexuals" hate flyer.

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