(no subject)

[dreamer_easy]

Further to my plan to boycott Virginia in retaliation for its persecution of queers: it turns out that it's also legal to discriminate against gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people in Michigan. (Thanks for the heads-up, redrose999). What is it with these prurient legislatures?!

Comments

[redrose999.livejournal.com]

You are welcome!

Two years ago there was a big stink over the medical issue. The AMA threatened to remove the license of ANY doctors discriminating against any groups involved. There was a short piece on it on MSNBC's web site. I've heard no follow up on it since. I think the folks on outpost Gallifrey were following the story and posted links about it. It sort of disappeared after, and I've been wondering if anyone has been sued over it. Basically the law was written so that a Doctor didn't need to treat a person whose moral values DIDN’T fit his or her own (they added religion to it as well). It was pushed by the Catholic diocese in Michigan when a catholic doctor didn’t want to treat a gay patient. If you can find out anything more about it, I would love to know if ANYTHING changed after they were put under the gun by the AMA, who basically said they were breaking the Hippocratic oath.

[teresadivicenzo.livejournal.com]

I hope you don't mind me stepping in here - I've drifted over from the Torchwood comm strangely enough - there was a programme on about this on Channel 4 in the UK not so long ago. It focused on doctors in the US refusing to not just perform abortions but to not counsel women who might want one. This was obviously based around their faith. I was utterly disgusted. I'm of the Orthodox Christian faith. I am against abortion. I would never have one myself. I find the idea that I impose that belief on anybody a disgraceful notion. Once you become a doctor you should treat the patient in THEIR best interests - not yours. Period. It's BELIEF, not a fact you are holding.

And where do these people get off on discriminating against people who basically want the freedom to be with the person they love? We shouldn't be legislating against love. I find that offensive.

I'm sorry, but this stuff deeply upsets me because people assume I, and many others, are like that.

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

this stuff deeply upsets me because people assume I, and many others, are like that

I know better. Kick ass, sister.

[redrose999.livejournal.com]

I feel the same way. I'm a Catholic, I go to a very liberal church, and I know many Catholics in my community who'd be outraged on the issue. I'm very ashamed it was a bishop in the Michigan Diocese who pushed for this. I reported it to my priest who was equally disgusted. We discussed many different issues for two hours, and it all came down to the fact that people have no right to push their faith on others.

I'm really hoping things will change. As it is we've now got New Jersey adopting Civil Unions, and hopefully with our new Govner NYS will follow. *fingers crossed*

[teresadivicenzo.livejournal.com]

I really do hope it gets better over your side of the pond. It's not that bad here - although the religious extremists are quietly trying to encroach on territory that they haven't previously meddled in. For example, they've quietly got Creationism being taught on the GCSE (high school certificate) syllabus in Biology classes alongside Evolution on the third largest exam board in the country. This went almost unreported. Big donors are also funding what are called Academy Schools. These are a BIG part of government education policy and are state run schools, not private. But at some of them there are reports that unless you buy into the religion they teach, you will be forced out - that includes pupils and teachers. There's something very odd going on, put it that way.

Of course some issues are difficult to grapple with if you have strong religious faith. And it's often necessary to talk about these issues at length to reach the best conclusions you can. For example, I would be pretending if my own sexuality was an easy one. I've never had a problem being open with other people about it, but did question strongly why my church hates that part of me but embraces me for everything else. The only conclusion I could come to is that I was put on this earth in this way for a reason - who am I to question that? My job is to live my life honestly, openly, in the best way I can and extend that love that I feel for life to others. And if these Legislatures would have a problem with that, I respectfully suggest that they focus their attention on the very real problems that people face in their day to day lives. Much as I would like to think what I or others do in the bedroom is of any importance whatsoever, I really doubt it is to the average person. They want to know their kids are going to a good school, that they will have a decent home and job and that they can save for their futures.

[redrose999.livejournal.com]

We are battling the intelligent design issue here. So far, it is loosing out. And having two kids in the school, I am grateful. I really don't like the idea of someone preaching their concept of god to my children in biology class.

Very well said. As a parent, I want my kids to grow up happy, and both my husband and I decided a long time ago, that we wouldn't put them through the pain of being rejected because of sexuality. We made it clear we loved them and who every they choose to spend their lives with, we will welcome in our home. I watched my cousin and many friends go though the pain of being the "families dirty" little secret. It does horrible things to child involved. I don't ever want my boys and daughter to go though that.


I went to the hospital last year and read the handout for the care of mental health and sexuality. They don't talk about using contraception anymore, but worse of all they suggest if your child is gay to take them to a therapist who "shares your families values." This pamphlet was from the “surgeon general and the department of health”. I'm wondering how many gay children are killing them over this. Suicide and depression is high among gay teenagers, especially kids from backgrounds where their sexuality isn’t accepted. Now over govt is telling our families to "brainwash" their kids into not being gay? Sickening....

I really hope it all ends soon. I'd rather not have my kids enter a world of hatred. It's tough enough on them as it is.

[kateorman.livejournal.com]

Doctors who discriminate are in the wrong profession.

I've been rummaging around in the Michigan Legislature site. If I'm understanding correctly, there were two Bills introduced to the House in 2003: HB 5006 and HB 5276. Both were passed in the House, and then referred to the Health Policy Committee; but I don't think either one has yet reached the Senate. I guess they're in limbo right now.

[redrose999.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much Kate. Hopefully the stink with the AMA will make things difficult to pass. The whole thing pisses me off, being from a medical family. It's the Doctor's JOB to help people reguardless of opinions.