Nearly three hours of debate Tuesday night at Norman City Council's meeting resulted in a 7 to1 pass vote of a proclamation that designated October as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered History Month in Norman.
The proposal was initiated by the Norman Human Rights Commission, which then brought the issue to the attention of the council.
“Norman prides itself on being on inclusive community. Inclusive communities are built not from walls, but from bridges. It’s easy to protect the rights of people who look and act like us, but it’s important to protect the rights of those who don’t,” said Mike Ridgeway, chairman of the Human Rights Commission.
After prior agenda issues were discussed and the proclamation was acknowledged, the council then opened comments up to the public. Roughly 43 citizens voiced their opinions.
Some alleged that its passage would “endorse the lifestyle” of a “behavior that is counterproductive to a healthy community.” Others stated that it would be a step in the right direction toward “recognizing the struggles” and respecting the identities of homosexual citizens.
“Each council member here will look into their souls. Representation is about listening, acting for the interests of the people but also in using our best judgment,” Rosenthal said.
The invitation for public comments closed at 9:30 p.m. All eight council members, including the mayor, then expressed their opinions for another hour and fifteen minutes.
“This body should uphold people’s rights, as should any governing body. If we did have equal rights for homosexuals, we wouldn’t even have the need for this proclamation,” Council Member Tom Kovach, Ward 2, said.
The discussion closed with a vote in favor of the proclamation. Seven council members voted in favor, and one, Dan Quinn of Ward 8, opposed.
GLBT History Month on a national level was first recognized in 1994, in coordination with National Coming Out Day on Oct. 11.
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mustafa 1 year, 7 months ago
We don't need a straight person's month. We just need the recognized right to not like homosexuality if we so choose. Right now we don't have that. Who says different?
mythman 1 year, 7 months ago
I am interested to hear Quinn's explanation for why he voted against the resolution. Does he have a sound argument for opposing the rights of homosexuals, or even the recognition of their existence? If there is a good reason, I haven't heard it.
mustafa 1 year, 8 months ago
"If we did have equal rights for homosexuals, we wouldn’t even have the need for this proclamation,”
How does this proclamation address any lack of rights? How are homosexual's rights infringed by not have a queer- history month? How is Norman guilty of oppressing homosexuals?
"It’s easy to protect the rights of people who LOOK AND ACT like us, but it’s important to protect the rights of those who don’t,” said Mike Ridgeway,
So from the mouth of the chairman of the Human Rights Commission comes the admission that this is about protecting behavior.
dargus 1 year, 7 months ago
Councilman Quinn said he voted against it because it was the wish of his constituents. I suggest you read the Norman Transcript since they tend to have better coverage of city issues.
http://normantranscript.com/headlines/x1560863191/Council-OKs-GLBT-proclamation
clintgilliam 1 year, 7 months ago
This is so dumb! When are we going to vote for "straight people" month???
What more appreciation do we need for GLBT then to know it exists and is full of flamers?
mythman 1 year, 7 months ago
clintgilliam,
When we straight people have our rights oppressed and our people murdered for no reason other than being straight, then we can get a month. Joy.
mustafa 1 year, 7 months ago
Mythman - Straight's rights are being suppressed and homosexuals have been murdering straights for a long time. Want to discuss it?
mustafa 1 year, 7 months ago
Dan Quinn was doing his job representing the people of his district. He did what the other members refused to do, and instead imposed their "enlightened" view because they are smarter and better than the "stupid" people they represent.
mythman 1 year, 7 months ago
mustafa,
If you're really going to argue that heterosexuals have been oppressed, or are beng oppressed, more than homosexuals, then go ahead.
mustafa 1 year, 7 months ago
Prior to Stonewall the homosexuals were totally invisible. No one look on them as anything than men acting crudly. Homosexuals have no history of oppression ala Black America. After 40 years of insulting confrontational behavior they have created the anomosity facing them today.
mustafa 1 year, 7 months ago
Right here is a rough breakdown of some of the questions no one wants to answer.
What is Norman guilty of?
Is the lable of "homosexual" automatically insulting?
Should calling someone a latent homosexual be considered a hate crime?
Shouldn't heterosexuals be allowed, because of their orientation, to view homosexuality, ultimately, as something strange and odd?
Isn't everyone at least bisexual? and exclusive heterosexuality a myth?
mythman 1 year, 7 months ago
"Prior to Stonewall the homosexuals were totally invisible." Homosexual persecution existed long before the incident at Stonewall. The Bible has specific instructions to execute anyone caught in homosexual acts. Homosexuality was illegal in many countries throughout Europe for most of the last two thousand years, too many to recount here. Here's a more comprehensive list of such history. If you disagree, go ahead and change it: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persecut...
"What is Norman guilty of?" I don't see why Norman has to be guilty of something to pass this proclamation. By doing so, Norman is recognizing that 1) these people have faced--and continue to face--serious persecution throughout the world and throughout history, all for no good reason, and 2) they will not face such persecution while in Norman.
"Is the lable (sic) of 'homosexual' automatically insulting?" I don't know, and I don't see why this is an issue. Was there a problem?
"Should calling someone a latent homosexual be considered a hate crime?" Again, I don't see why this is an issue.
"Shouldn't heterosexuals be allowed, because of their orientation, to view homosexuality, ultimately, as something strange and odd?" You are allowed to have any view you want. When you announce your view, others are allowed to express their opposition to your argument. If you attempt to act on your view, especially by suppressing others' rights, then others are allowed to oppose your attempts. If you want your views to win out, you'd better give some actual evidence to support your position. I have yet to hear any.
"Isn't everyone at least bisexual? and exclusive heterosexuality a myth?" I do happen to think one's sexuality is a complicated and ambiguous issue, with many factors. I fail to see why this means that homosexual rights should be suppressed.
JamesBond 1 year, 7 months ago
Next month (November) in Norman will be officially proclaimed to be UHMW month (Unsually Happy Men and Women) in order to honor the achievements of those who willingly stick their fingers in a motorized blender.
We should all be very proud of the accomplishments of those who willingly stick their penises in sewer pipes. I know I am one who has great confidence in their knowing what to do with their hands before they make my sandwich or pour me a drink. They have all of that respect for their other body parts, after all. Who would dare to discriminate against them?