When reading some of the pro-Chick-fil-A arguments I am reminded of a people that does not remember their own history.

I am reminded that living in the South we tend to be isolated at times. This cultural isolation has often repressed our growth when it comes to social norms and human rights. I have read and heard some very vitriolic comments aimed at the LGBT community. Usually by people claiming to be Christian and to love everyone. Well your being Christian doesn't concern me in the slightest. It does concern me when you start legislating your beliefs into law trampling the rights of other Americans. Remember no one is forcing churches to marry people against their will and no one ever shall. Nor will heterosexual relationships suffer because a minority received their rights. If your marriages are so shaky as to be broken by affording a minority their rights they were never truly that strong. Those crusading with a Bible in one hand and an arrogant sense of superiority in the other seem bent upon treating homosexuals as if they are sub-human. They do so trying to make the claim that the LGBT community are undeserving of protections under our nations laws. I also recognize that if it were not for protection under secular law I would be lynched for being a gay man. There would be blood in the streets of epic proportions if Americas religious fundamentalist were allowed to legislate their laws and rule as a majority. Many of their arguments against homosexuality would find themselves quite at home in a nation like Iran that hangs young adults for being gay. I am also reminded that this is not the first time historically we have had this discussion involving religion and minority rights. At nearly every point in American history you have a status quo that persecutes or oppresses someone. If this were 150 to 160 years ago the status quo would favor slavery. Remember that the Bible was used vehemently by those who felt slavery should exist as an institution. If this were roughly 150 years ago African American men would not have been allowed to vote under the Constitution. Consider that roughly 95 years ago women would not have been allowed to vote under the Constitution. Consider that merely 48 years ago the Civil Rights Act of 1964 had to be passed to ensure an end to major forms of discrimination against racial, ethnic, national and religious minorities and women. Throughout American history those among the populace that have tried to systematically trample the rights of minorities have landed on the wrong side of it. How many of you wish to remembered as the George Wallace of your generation?

Since I am not a Christian I would like to address one more issue. I am more ashamed of those who would persecute a minority on a lack of evidence. The Bible does not count as evidence. We don't follow the Bible on medicine or the treatment of women. Why should anything else be compared to Biblical standards? We don't sell children into slavery. We do not stone people to death. We do not own concubines. If prohibiting these types of behaviors and endorsing the rights of minorities brings civilization crashing down then let it fall! I think when you use the Bible as an excuse to oppress people you've exposed your fear and ignorance. Can any of you honestly say you would oppress gays or deny their rights if the Bible did not exist? I imagine not. What it proves is that blind faith followed by simple minded people will take the greatest of

absurdities and attempt to make it true. Gays are not damaged or unnatural according to modern science and psychology. We are your doctors, nurses, teachers, police officers, and come from all walks of life. We are tax payers and church goers that have been here since the foundation of our country. We deserve the same legal rights and respect afforded to heterosexuals. We do not ask for any more than that.