I held the traditional Christian belief about marriage being between a man and a woman but have a civil rights view towards gay
Reginald Clyne, Esq.
rights. Gays should not be discriminated against due to their sexual orientation. They should not be denied jobs or housing and should not have to face ridicule. I do not like discrimination and have fought for equality based on race, gender, national origin, religion and age, because the law protects these classes of people. There should be a federal law protecting people from discrimination based on their sexual orientation. I have witnessed the unfair treatment that gay people suffer in the workplace and it reminds me of the open and hostile discrimination faced by Blacks in the 1960’s before the Civil Rights Act of 1964, when people could be fired based on their race. In fact, many civil rights activists were fired including Rosa Parks.
I have witnessed the unfair treatment that gay people suffer in the workplace and it reminds me of the open and hostile discrimination faced by Blacks in the 1960’s before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 . . .
Still, I have mixed feelings about gay marriage. I recall a news story about a gay couple that had become foster parents to three Black babies — all born HIV-positive and addicted to crack. The babies were not wanted by anyone, because of their HIV status and obvious neurological and physical problems. But a white gay couple took in the three boys and paid for their medical attention, schooling, clothes, food and most importantly they provided love. The Department of Health and Human Services in its infinite wisdom decided to take the boys away from their foster parents because they were gay and Florida law did not permit gay couples to adopt children, in part because gays could not get married.
The injustice of this situation made me rethink my traditional views on gay marriage and completely made me a supporter of changing the law to support gay adoptions. If two people love each other and want to make a lifelong commitment to each other, why should society bar this union? Perhaps, we don’t have to call it “marriage” but use another word like “union contracts.” In traditional marriage, couples can file joint tax returns, get health benefits and can enter into mortgages. Why should gay couples be denied the right to give each other health benefits?
Some people object to gay couples because they feel that they will not raise children with the proper morals. But straight couples who are members of the Ku Klux Klan can raise children and everyone thinks it is great. Gay couples are just as capable as anyone else of giving love and instruction to children. I have a cousin that is a school teacher. She has more education on early childhood learning, child psychology and practical experience than most straight couples I know. Yet, she cannot adopt a child because she is gay. President Obama has made a bold step forward to insure the rights of all citizens of this country and I applaud his courage. As Jesus said, “Let he who is without sin throw the first stone.”
Reginald J. Clyne is a partner at Clyne and Associates, P.A. of Miami/Fort Lauderdale.
By Reginald J. Clyne, Esq.
Miami Times columnist
rjc@clynelegal.com
Linda Simmons
May 19, 2012 at 3:24 pm
I am not against gay people or any other people because Christ died for all. But God’s word is true and the way God says things should go. Living outside of the word of God caused Hiv/aids and death. Gays have not SEEN discrimination compared to blacks so there is no comparison. The same-sex lifestyle is immoral and hurts the family and society. If the foundations be removed what will the rightous do. Obama came out and clearly support something that is anti God. It was a direct attack against the Church of all demoninations and morality. Obama wants the goverment to tell you what to do but not God. He does not support religion. It will cost him at the polls because I am going to vote for ROmney. WHen the traditional family goes, so does the neighborhood. Gay people want to push their agenda on us but get mad when we as Christians etc. push back. I saw a picture of two black women married in DC then I saw the picture of the little black boy with his head down. This type of union is not good for kids and is UN -NATURAL. GAYS CAN LOVE A CHILD BUT ADOPTION IS NOT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE GAY PERSON BUT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE CHILD. EXPERTS AGREE AND SO DOES GOD THAT CHILDREN DO BETTER WITH A MOM AND A DAD. ANYTHING ELSE IS IMMORAL AND PERVERSION. I AM SURE OBAMA WILL REAP THE CONSEQUENSES OF HIS DECISION. YOU CANT FIGHT GOD AND WIN.
Linda Simmons
May 19, 2012 at 3:36 pm
WHITE PEOPLE , ESPECIALLY WHITE MEN HAVE ALWAYS HAVE RIGHTS WHEN NO ONE ELSE HAD THEM. EVEN THE GAY ONES BACK THEN THAT WERE IN THE CLOSET, HAD THE MOST MONEY,SOCIAL STATUS AND POLITICAL POWER. THEY NEVER LOST THEIR SUPERIOR RIGHTS TO THIS DAY. AND MANY WHITE GAYS HAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY.(WHICH OBAMA LIKES). SO IF THEY ARE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IT IS NOTHING LIKE FOR BLACKS. THEY HAVE NEVER HAD TO GO TO THE COLORED BATHROOM OR ANY OF THAT JIM CROW FOOLISHNESS. I AM TIRED OF PEOPLE SAYING THEY ARE FIGHTING FOR CIVIL RIGHTS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT. THEY WERE ALWAYS TREATED WITH RESPECT AND HUMANITY THE LAST 400 YEARS–SO I DONT BUY IT. DR. KING DID NOT MARCH AND DIE FOR A GAY MAN TO DO ANOTHER GAY MAN. SEX IS PRIVATE AND SHOULD STAY IN THE BEDROOM. THEY SAY IT IS NOT THE CHURCHES BUSINESS SO WHY DID THEY NOT KEEP IT IN THE CLOSET. YOU CANT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. GAY MARRIAGE IS WRONG .DID YOU KNOW GAY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAPPENS MUCH MORE THAN A TRADITIONAL COUPLE. CAN YOU IMAGE 2 MEN THOWING BLOWS– THE LIFESTYLE IS IMMORAL. PAUL SAYS IN FIRST CORINTHIAN 5 VERSE 11 NOT TO BE SEEN WITH AN IMMORAL PERSON CHRISTIAN—NOT EVEN EAT WITH THEM. KEEP WATCHING OBAMA REAL GOOD BECAUSE GOD IS GETTING READY TO DEAL WITH HIM. I CANNOT VOTE FOR THIS MAN BECAUSE HE IS A CON ARTIST.
Linda Simmons
May 19, 2012 at 3:41 pm
JESUS DID SAY LET HE THAT IS WITHOUT SIN AST THE FIRST STONE BUT HE ALSO SAID TO THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTY——–GO AND SIN NO MORE——-
GAY PEOPLE WANT TO CONTINUE IN THEIR SIN-AND JESUS DOES NOT CONDONE THAT!!! SO GAY PEOPLE ARE IN COMPLETE REBELLION WITH GOD. YOU CANT FIGHT GOD AND WIN !!!