This morning, an entry on CNN (Cable No News) noted that a billboard in Memphis picturing a gay Marine, campaigning for civil rights for homosexuals was destroyed by vandals. One has only to read the letters to the editor of the local papers to see how deep the hate and fear goes towards gays.
I've never quite understood the venom directed at gays by conservatives. After all, aren't those the folks who champion individual rights? What could be more individual (and private) than one's sexual preference? I understand that religious persons find passages in their holy books that condemn homosexuality, but we are a secular nation - something which so many seem to forget. For the first time in history, people are attempting to modify the Constitution to take away civil rights. I don't think that's what the Founders had in mind...
Biologically, the evidence is pretty strong that sexual preference is heavily influenced by genes. It's not a "decision" to adopt a "sinful" life anymore than being left-handed is a "decision" to adopt a "sinful" orientation (left-handedness used to be regarded in just that light). It's past time to extend full civil rights to all portions of our society.
