Protecting LGBT people from discrimination is illegal in AR

[Rachel333]

http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2015/02/2 ... sas-texas/

Just, :angry-banghead:

[PennySycamore]

This makes me want to bang my head against the wall, too, Rachel 333.

Why in the hell do hess so-called Christians focus so much on "vice": swearing, drinking, sexual matters? I don't remember Jesus emphasizing that in the Gospels. I need to ask that of my husband just to see what he'd say.

[NachosFlandersStyle]

Blergh at all these states passing laws to prohibit somebody else from passing a law! States have also done similar things to keep cities from raising minimum wage, passing gun ordinances, etc. and it's stupid and legally dubious every time. Of course if the federal government were to tell the states what kind of laws they could and couldn't pass it would be SOCIALIST TYRANNY! LOCAL CONTROL! STATES' RIGHTS! But if the municipalities in your own state want to exercise some local control, tough luck son.

[lawlifelgbt]

The Arkansas bill is actually illegal! It needs to be challenged, since it will clearly be struck down. In 1996, the Supreme Court, in Romer v. Evans, struck down this exact same kind of law that prevented any place in Colorado at any level from passing LGBT antidiscrimination laws.

That's because:

1. These bills stop localities and etc. from choosing their own laws; it's effectively a form of unlawful interference into local affairs; and

2. A bill like this, even where enacted by voters (at issue in Romer was actually a referendum with majority), must fail because it is "motivated by animus." If any action has animus as a motivation, whether bluntly or underlying, it must fail, legally.

[Handmaiden of Dog]

Animus is exactly what I was thinking; this bill was written for no reason except to be mean. How is this advancing the state? How is this improving the economy? How is this improving the lives of citizens? It has no reason to exist except to be spiteful. I would really like to talk to the person who wrote this bill and get their "reasoning" behind writing it. I'm sure it is personal and boils down to "homos are icky."

[lawlifelgbt]

I just looked up the Colorado case, Romer v. Evans. It stated:

"[Amendment 2] fails, indeed defies, even this conventional inquiry. First, the amendment has the peculiar property of imposing a broad and undifferentiated disability on a single named group, an exceptional and, as we shall explain, invalid form of legislation. Second, its sheer breadth is so discontinuous with the reasons offered for it that the amendment seems inexplicable by anything but animus toward the class it affects; it lacks a rational relationship to legitimate state interests."

Okay, now read that, and replace it with the name of the Arkansas bill, and tell me it doesn't work.

[Rubaiyat]

Forgive me, I realize I'm new here.

But, how on Earth does arbitrarily denying basic human rights to our fellow TAX-PAYING citizens make anyone's life better in any way? I don't understand. I super-double-minus don't understand the desperate need to pass a law preventing the passing of a law that might prevent the denial of rights! (talk about a ridiculous sentence)

I keep seeing Rev. Lovejoy's (from the Simpsons) wife in my head, melodramatically crying "won't somebody think of the children!!" Whelp, as far as I can tell, laws that protect everyone - or prevent discrimination against anyone, especially over an attribute they didn't choose - go so far as to protect our children! Either by protecting their families and loved ones/their friends' families' and loved ones/their parents' employers or co-workers, or, gosh!, even the children themselves!

Ugh. I think I'm having one of those days, but can't everyone just be nice?!? :angry-banghead:

Edited because typing correctly is apparently not one of my virtues.

[lawlifelgbt]

They can't be nice, because some people just think I'm that evil. I shall let you know when the grand gay agenda, masterminded by my wife and I, has been accomplished.

[Becket70]

It's sad that the Duggar's own boss at TLC could be denied housing if she decided to move to Arkansas. Actions have consequences and I believe there will be a very bad outcome for Arkansas as a result of this terrible law. I think it is especially difficult for me to comprehend because I live in an area that is extremely gay-friendly. Everybody seems to get along pretty well, as far as I can tell. I don't know what their image of a gay person is but here I see a lot of elderly gay couples just walking around, shopping, etc. (this is a mecca for retirees) and my first reaction when I see them is that they are sweet, still holding hands at age 80, etc. As I mentioned before, Mr. Becket went to his cardiologist for two years before learning the man was gay. Mr. Becket is still a patient of this wonderful doctor. All I can think of is that there is now institutionalized hate in that state. They really need to be boycotted by business. (too little too late: Walmart came out against the law a mere 2 days AFTER it went into law).

[SquirrelySquirrel]

The same thing passed here in Indiana this week too. So fucking ridiculous.

[eri]

This makes me want to bang my head against the wall, too, Rachel 333.

Why in the hell do hess so-called Christians focus so much on "vice": swearing, drinking, sexual matters? I don't remember Jesus emphasizing that in the Gospels. I need to ask that of my husband just to see what he'd say.

Because the protestant reformations for the mid-1800s were spearheaded by wives addressing social issues of husband lechery, alcoholism, and family honor.

[Childless]

The same thing passed here in Indiana this week too. So fucking ridiculous.

I know. I'm so ashamed to live in this state. My family and I are planning on moving just as soon as it's remotely possible.

[fundiefan]

Arkansas has the worst reputation here in my Northern state. There is no defense. It's a hell pit that no self respecting human being would or should willingly choose. I am not openly, vocally grateful for much, but I will praise the fucked up situation in my own state to the heavens that at least we are not...Arkansas.

[ADoyle90815]

I know. I'm so ashamed to live in this state. My family and I are planning on moving just as soon as it's remotely possible.

My mom's glad she left that state for good when she was 18.

[FloraKitty35]

I'd like to think the courts will strike this down, but after Hobby Lobby; I have my doubts. It always amazes me that "fiscal conservatives" piss money away on this kind of nonsense.

[Rachel333]

I love Arkansas despite its problems and miss it a lot. NWA was a great place to grow up.

[whoviana]

I really am taking pride in being a law abiding citizen and I never intend to break the law - unless they give me a freaking serious reason to do otherwise and this is one.

I'd go against the law because this law is inhumane and shameful, and I'd rather live with a priors than living in shame or not being able to look at myself in the mirror.

[nelliebelle1197]

I wonder if there is a legal angle for the DOJ to step in? Or if it is within scope of powers for the president to sign an executive order adding this to federal protection?

[Childless]

My mom's glad she left that state for good when she was 18.

Your mother was one smart woman.

[SquirrelySquirrel]

Your mother was one smart woman.

I don't blame anyone a bit for leaving. Sometimes I wish I had. But at the same time, change will never come about if all the sane people move away! At least that's what I keep telling myself...

[Delilah]

I love Arkansas despite its problems and miss it a lot. NWA was a great place to grow up.

My mom's family is there, and I love going to visit. NWA is is one of the prettiest places on Earth in spring. My relatives are very reasonable, progressive people, and I am having a hard time reconciling "my" Arkansas with the Arkansas that would cruelly discriminate.

[Delilah]

I've been perseverating on the seemingly low number of progressives in Arkansas. I knew a few of them exist, and I was determined to find them.

Found them!!!

The Fayetteville Freethinkers http://fayfreethinkers.com/aboutus.shtml I didn't break the link because I think they'd be delighted if we dropped on by.

They are concerned about the level of gullibility, intellectual carelessness, and intolerance of dissenting views displayed in our society. They encourage science, especially the scientific process. They also work to keep the government for endorsing religion. :D

I think I love them. There's hope, everybody!