| CHARLOTTE
PRIDE OR CHARLOTTE SHAME? Although it is politically incorrect these days to speak of a “gay agenda,” there is no doubt that many gays and lesbians do, in fact, have a specific agenda, one that is designed to bring about both ideological and social change. This should come as no surprise, since the homosexual community sees itself as locked in a struggle for equal rights, having to combat antiquated and hateful ideas on a daily basis. From their perspective, they are faced with the formidable task of overcoming deep-seated biases, bigotries, and intolerant attitudes. It is high time, our gay friends would tell us, to end discrimination based on sexual orientation, just as Americans have sought to end discrimination based on race, color, or creed. It is high time, they would argue, for liberation and freedom. This has been the mindset of gay activists since 1969, the date of the watershed “Stonewall” event in New York City, when gays fought back against police who raided their bars. Since then, there has been a concerted effort to “write the revolution into law” (to quote gay leader Mark Rubin), to remove all stigma attached to the word “gay” and, more recently, to remove all stigma attached to the word “queer.” Efforts have been made to portray gays as victims and those who differ with them as homophobic victimizers, while the issue of same-sex marriages has been made into a topic of national interest. These are just a few points of an agenda that has been openly articulated for years. What may, however, come as a surprise to residents of Charlotte is that this city has been specially targeted by the gay community. Referring to the recent $195-a-plate gay dinner in the city, homosexual activist Shane Windmeyer stated that the event “offers an opportunity for us to come together and look at how we want Charlotte to be in five or 10 years.” What exactly does this mean? Does it mean more of what was flaunted at last May’s “Charlotte Pride” event – more gay and lesbian couples passionately kissing in our public parks, more photos of totally naked men advertising “hot nudist camps,” more overt references to little girls as “dikes on trikes”? (All this – and more – took place in Marshall Park last May.) Is this what Charlotte will look like in five or 10 years? Perhaps it is time for our gay neighbors and friends to be surprised. Perhaps the bold proclamation of the gay agenda for this region will serve as a wake-up call to the hundreds of thousands of residents who do not believe same-sex marriages are conducive to healthy families and wholesome childrearing, who do not believe that queer is quaint, and who do not believe that pornographic images belong in our public parks – be those images heterosexual or homosexual. Perhaps it is time for a different agenda to be articulated, one that says, “We too have a vision for how this city will look in five or 10 years. And in our vision, what is now called Charlotte Pride will be remembered instead as Charlotte Shame.” I realize, of course, that even to hint at such things is to be immediately characterized as yet another religious homophobe. But should the fear of being caricatured stop one from speaking the truth? And isn’t it ironic that those who most loudly call for tolerance are often the very ones who seek to suppress and muzzle all opposing views? Is not this the height of intolerance? If it is acceptable for gays and lesbians to set forth their goals, why shouldn’t it be acceptable for those holding to biblical values to set forth their goals as well? Or have those who hold to Judeo-Christian principles lost their right to speak? Perhaps now that the gay agenda for this city has been announced and pursued, a positive agenda for morally-based cultural transformation can be announced and pursued. Or do the citizens of Charlotte really want their city to be linked with homosexual activism and thought of as a haven for the gay agenda? (Remember: This annual event is not called Gay Pride but Charlotte Pride.) Perhaps it is now time even to ask our gay and lesbian friends – people whom we love and care for, but people whose agenda we oppose – Are you really proud of everything that took place at last year’s “Pride” event? Is this how you want to be known? Surely, if traditional couples came together for a “Celebration of Marriage” day in a public park, little children would feel welcome, and people would not have to close their eyes and cover their ears to avoid contact with vulgar and obscene images, gestures, and words. Yet large homosexual celebrations worldwide are commonly marked by nude parades, men dressed in drag, open sex acts, and large signs proclaiming “God is gay.” Is this what is next for Charlotte? Let the voice of the people be heard.
Dr. Michael L. Brown |
