Sexual Orientation Discrimination Bill

[Theland]

This bill is being debated in the House Of Lords tonight. The contentious example given, is where a guest house owner, should or should not have the right to refuse accomodation to homosexuals if homosexuality goes against their personal beliefs.
Should the guest house owner reserve the right to refuse?

[Octavius]

As far as I am aware Local authority social services adoption work - the home study, assessment and preparation is usually free of charge as it forms part of their general procedures � which we all contribute towards. Saying that same sex couples should be denied this is in my opinion wrong. Would you therefore say that if they can pay for it out of their own pocket then that�s ok? This also applies with fertility treatment. What you are saying fundamentally is that homosexuals should not be allowed to have children.

The wider issues that may result were contained in my 1st answer. Although this could be scare mongering no doubt there will be a few isolated cases which we will one day call �p c gone mad�.

Also your opinion about normal relationships is Victorian. I have gay friends who have better relationships than the married ones. If you are referring to sexual practices then take a look at the web and see what many �heterosexuals� get up to. Would you happily send a child into a heterosexual couple�s home if they privately indulged themselves in S&M activities in their own dungeon, or danced around trees naked at weekends? Where, Theland, do you draw the line � is it somewhere above your waist?

[Theland]

I personally do not think that a homosexual couple are the best choice for bringing up children. As to the other perversions you mentioned, well that also is not the best is it?
Or is it "abnormal" to be "normal" these days?

[Theland]

Octavius - in answer to your final comment, no, not above my waist. I have six children!

[Octavius]

I imagine that it is normal to be abnormal these days, and therefore you satisfy nobody and everybody at the same time. You never really answered what it was that was not normal about same sex couples, but never mind that�s your view. Some would say that 6 children is excessive, but luckily for you, you have the freedom to express yourself in that way without fear of bigotry.

[Pippa68]

Very true. I have 4 children & one stepdaughter and was told I was 'abnormal'.

Ho hum :o)

[Theland]

Octavius - Yes, some people may say that six children is excessive, but I've worked and kept them, and not burdened the state with them. Hopefully my six children will make a valuable contribution to society, so why would anybody say my six are excessive?
What is not normal about same sex couples is that their sexual practices are a perversion, a view held in this country until the early 1960's. But, that's their private life, I just don't think it right that it should be imposed on the rest of us. Let them get on with it.

[WaldoMcFroog]

I'm reasonably certain that if two homosexuals booked into a hotel and tried to 'impose their sexuality' upon an unwitting hotelier, the proposed law would be entirely on the side of the hotelier...

[Pippa68]

But where is it being imposed on us ~ it's not as if we are being forced into watching them having it off are we?

I don't think any child should be 'kept by the state' and it is a totally separate issue to gay relationships and parenting, so your argument falls flat there I'm afraid.

On the contrary, gay couples are more likely to think over the idea of raising children and wait until they are financially secure enough before taking that plunge.

Unlike the 15 year old Vicky Pollard types who are most certainly draining the state coffers..without paying any in to start with, I hasten to add.

[Theland]

Pippa68 - "Imposed on us ... " as in the overt display of their sexuality so often as to become totally boring. Over the years, the media has promoted programmes specifically with a homosexual bias, whereas at one time, a persons sexual orientation was about as intersting or relevant as to their preference for white or brown bread! Nowadays, the sexual preferences of homosexuals seem to be actively promoted. Why all the noise? Why not keep it quiet?
As for homosexuals being discriminated against, in job opportunities, civil rights, or any other rights, I'm totally opposed to that. I just think that where children are concerned, the norm should be heterosexual parents, and the homosexual lifestyle should not be promoted as a "normal alternative lifestyle."

[WaldoMcFroog]

Imposed on us ... " as in the overt display of their sexuality so often as to become totally boring."

By this, do you mean gay people holding hands? Kissing? Intimate petting? Full sex?

I would have thought the first two were mundane and not worthy of mention (neither notably boring or exciting) and the second two matters for private, a view I hold regardless of the gender or sexuality of the adults concerned.

[Pippa68]

I agree, Waldo.

I also feel that to disagree with discrimination you must disagree with all discrimination ~ it isn't really for picking & choosing.

I live very near the 'Gay Capital' and shop in the city regularly. Never once have I had a homosexual impose their sexuality upon me, but to be honest I wasn't looking out for it either ;o)

[originalspa]

You don't choose to be 'Gay' or 'Straight'! I believe that one or the other chooses you! No-one wakes up one day and says, 'I'm going to be Gay today' and why would anyone choose to be Gay knowing the difficulties and discrimination that they'll face along the way?

There's nothing wrong with being Gay and if you see things on TV that are offensive or too 'Gay Friendly', you do have the option to switch over or turn it off!

I agree with Pippa's postings as most of the state draining society are the Vicky Pollard's of the land as most Gay people I know are more financially secure as alot of them may not have any dependents so the option for children are usually planned and that they are wanted and will be raised in a secure and loving environment which is how it should be. Sexuality doesn't come into it!

I seriously hope that none of your children turn out Gay in the future Theland and God help them if they ever want to adopt!

[curlylfim]

as a hetrosexual, in the services, which are the most homophobic, of all people, i was in, when it was illegal as such, and when it was announced that gay people could now join, there was much uproar, me i see people, i dont think someones sexual preference, makes them a good or bad person, when our captain told us all in the mess, when it was announced, after much complaining by the lads, i said, that i would rather share living space with a gay person than a paedophile, which we problay have done, unknown to us, which caused silence and agreement, when i visit a certain city, my missus and i always use the same hotel, which is run by two gay men, because it is well run, funny too as i asked a gay work friend if she ever wanted children, which she said yes, but.. then after jokes about turkey basters, i said as i believe, its better a child grows up in the company of two loving people, who may be the same sex, than by some hetrosexual people who i could mention....
sorry back to the question,,,,,,,,,,no, should hetrosexual couples be banned from gay hotels too