Counter offensive

And so SO writes this:

After reading the letter Ungodly Hogwash, I felt compelled to write about Mr. Bruns’s statement that gays and lesbians are being given priority status by certain companies.

I am an employee of American Airlines which is a company that proudly supports the GLBT community. GLBTs do not ask for any special rights, only for the human and American right not to be discriminated against.

This “special rights” theme is rhetoric by the religious right to mask pro-discrimination policy positions. Seeking protection from inequality in America should not be seen as a special right or a priority status but as an absolute right. It is certainly hypocritical of religious believers to favor restrictions on gays when they benefit from and defend special rights for themselves.

A few years ago American Airlines was attacked by a host of religious right leaders for its anti-discrimination policies for gays which they said promoted discrimination against their religious employees. This was so ridiculous that American’s own Christian employees disavowed it.

As a matter of fact American Airlines is dedicated to anti-discrimination and respect in all aspect of life with fourteen Employee Resource Groups. Their mission statement is: "Our commitment is to having a workplace that is permeated with dignity, respect and kindness. The evidence of this commitment must be more than what we do — it should be a bright, clear expression that emanates from our core values." This covers not only the GLBT community, but all religions, ethnicities, working moms, parents and employees over forty.

It is Mr. Bruns right as an American to believe that homosexuality is an abomination, but it is not his right to demand certain members of our society be discriminated against. Bigotry, intolerance and hate should not be an American or a moral value.

Mr. Gingersnapp
anytown, MO.