Moral Stand Or Bigotry?

To The Editor:

A few weeks ago our governor did a decent thing. She signed a bill making civil unions legal for gay couples in the state of Connecticut. Not everyone greeted this modest achievement in civil rights as a positive step. There have been some letters in The Newtown Bee from our fellow citizens that have strongly opposed the civil union legislation. They have said it is not a question of Democrat versus Republican. It is rather a “moral value” issue.

Those in opposition to this seem very determined. I direct this letter specifically to them. I’m confused. Let’s assume you are successful in your quest and the law is overturned and once again gay citizens are denied the rights that other citizens of the state of Connecticut enjoy. Let’s look at this hypothetical but all too realistic situation.

So, here you are walking along Main Street with your family including your young daughter and you see your neighbor, let’s call her Ann, and your daughter says to you that Ann’s partner just died, and you say to your daughter, “Yes I know, and it’s because of me that Ann was not allowed to be with her when she died. It was because of me that Ann’s partner had to die alone without the person she loved more than anyone else in the world by her side. It was because I worked hard with the legislature to ensure that there was no civil union legislation passed in the State of Connecticut that Ann’s partner died without Ann being there to fulfill her last wishes, that she died without the grace and dignity to which we are all entitled.” You are able to say all these things to your child in a loud clear proud voice as you walk down Main Street because you fought this legislative battle and you won.

With this little scenario in mind, can you possibly explain to me please one more time? What exactly did you win? I just don’t get it.

There are a truly astounding number of vile and despicable things that happen in the world every day, especially to children. Every day 40,000 children die as a result of inadequate nutrition. Every year over one million children enter the world of child prostitution and become virtual slaves. There are some terrible things that happen in the towns and cities of our own relatively privileged state. These are all certainly issues of moral values.

Taking a moral stand against a clear evil is, I believe, an obligation and a responsibility one has as a human being. There is often however, a question of priorities.

Opposing a civil right for a fellow citizen because you don’t like their sexual preference or whom they fall in love is not taking a moral stand, it is bigotry

There’s an awful lot to be outraged about. I respectfully suggest that your efforts might be better expended on something more significant.

I moved to Newtown because I think it is a good place to raise my daughter. I want her to grow up as a bright, caring, independent person. Not as a bigot. Can you say the same? Please?

Robert Karnoff

66 Great Ring Road, Sandy Hook                                   May 2, 2005