Nice writeup of Missoula's anti-discrimination ordinance by the Kaiman's Will Melton:
The main opponents of the measure were so incapable of coming up with a reason to do so that didn't sound wildly homophobic that their arguments came across more as parody. In reality, the proponents of the measure probably found their biggest ally in the ridiculous arguments put forth by those who were against it....
But that's just the point for the opponents; they either cynically lie and fearmonger, hoping that they can confuse people who don't have time to really delve into the issue, or they themselves are hopelessly confused.
The fact of the matter is that there is little legitimate reason to disagree with the ordinance, short of just not liking homosexuals. For the most part, the ordinance merely protects homosexuals from losing their livelihoods and places of living....
I have to say, the level of vitriol and animosity, homophobia and (self?) deception among the ordinance's opponents didn't surprise me, but it certainly shocked me. Absolutely toxic. And completely misleading, whether out of ignorance or malice is moot.
One person in particular who has been the focus of pro-discriminators' ire that I want to laud is the Missoulian's Keila Szpaller. (And bookmark her blog if you already haven't.) Tei Nash, in an editorial on kcei.com, claims Szpaller "discriminated against the side that opposed" the ordinance and "is really a lobbyist for this ordinance it is {sic} plain and clear." Why? Probably because she dared to debunk the inaccuracies passed around by Nash's group.
Too often, the traditional media presents issues in a "he said/she said" fashion - quoting from both sides and letting the reader decide who's argument is more persuasive - and refusing to correct or interpret the opinions based on facts or context. Nash and NotMyBathroom counted on that kind of reporting, hoping the image of child predators stalking Missoula's bathrooms would derail the ordinance, but Szpaller, much to her and the Missoulian's credit, refused to pass on Nash's lies without correction.
Szpaller and the Missoulian were extremely fair in their coverage of the anti-discrimination ordinance. And armed with good information, Missoulians and their leaders overwhelmingly approved of their city council's votes for equality. |
