Even as our federal government has amended its
woefully discriminatory policies that denied benefits to the same-sex partners/spouses
of federal workers, Governor Bentley has vowed to do just the opposite, rolling
back the clock and insisting that when National Guard personnel are under his
control, the state will deny said benefits.
It’s insulting to anyone who places his or her life
on the line to serve their country only to be told by the very government they
serve that they are somehow inferior or flawed and should therefore be treated
as less than their peers.
Discriminating against National Guard personnel who
happen to be LGBT individuals does not qualify as “patriotism,” and it
certainly doesn’t equate to “supporting our troops,” as Alabamians are quick to
insist how passionately we support our country and those who serve it. To the
contrary, it’s openly hostile to those who serve our country and is little more
than a clenched fist exercise in discrimination typically fueled by misguided
ignorance and fear.
Scoring political points by appealing to one’s
conservative base should not come at the expense of anyone’s basic human
rights. This fundamental concept of fairness is best summed up in the Gospel according
to Luke: “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them” (Luke 6:31).
It is generally known as The Golden Rule, to treat others as you would want to
be treated. Most of us learn it as children and it has served us well
throughout our lives.
Pandering political stances should never trump
equality and doing what is right, especially in a nation in which we pride
ourselves on equal opportunity and individual liberties. And denying equal
treatment to anyone who serves and defends our country is a slap in the face to
everyone who has ever put on a uniform and an affront to the unwavering idea
that we’re all created equal and should be treated accordingly.
Copyright © Capital City Free Press
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