Hey all. I had an experience earlier today which was a bit disturbing to me. I had occasion to stop at the local Audubon society center (Audubon - Wikipedia), and was surprised to encounter two so-called “pride flags” (the banner supporting homosexual rights) being displayed on the premises, while there are no other flags in evidence. My personal opinion about homosexuality is that it is no big deal, ever being an occasional natural occurrence in the population, and that in any case sexuality is a personal issue which should have no bearing on day-to-day social interaction.
I support the idea that homosexuals shouldn’t be discriminated against, and to that end I support the showing of the pride flag where doing so is appropriate and meaningful. An example of this is the showing of that banner by a welcoming Christian church; since Christianity has a history of anti-homosexual rhetoric and action, such a showing sends the message that “this particular church welcomes you”, and this justifies the flag being flown within that context. I can, however, see no similar justification for the “pride flag” to be flown on the premises of an environmental/naturalist center. Is there some history of environmental centers discriminating against homosexuals, of which I am unaware, and which might be said to justify such a showing, especially where no other flags, including the American flag, are flown?
I sought out an Audubon staff member, that I might express my feeling of impropriety to context. I was told by her that the flags were being shown to express support for “gay rights”. I responded that I didn’t think there to exist any supposition that the Audubon Society or any other environmental organization sought to discriminate against homosexuals or otherwise abrogate such “gay rights”. I was then favored with the spectacle of witnessing the woman shrugging her shoulders and saying, “well, that’s what we do here”. I then said to her that “Jews have faced quite a bit discrimination in this country and in all countries where they have represented a diasporic presence, why don’t you fly an Israeli flag as well? For that matter, why don’t you show an American flag?” Again, I was favored with the shrug, and a hearty “I got nothin’ for ‘ya”.
What do you make of this? Is it not inappropriate to show the “pride flag” within such a context? Is this a case of misplaced and inappropriate activism? Your thoughts and discussion please.
I support the idea that homosexuals shouldn’t be discriminated against, and to that end I support the showing of the pride flag where doing so is appropriate and meaningful. An example of this is the showing of that banner by a welcoming Christian church; since Christianity has a history of anti-homosexual rhetoric and action, such a showing sends the message that “this particular church welcomes you”, and this justifies the flag being flown within that context. I can, however, see no similar justification for the “pride flag” to be flown on the premises of an environmental/naturalist center. Is there some history of environmental centers discriminating against homosexuals, of which I am unaware, and which might be said to justify such a showing, especially where no other flags, including the American flag, are flown?
I sought out an Audubon staff member, that I might express my feeling of impropriety to context. I was told by her that the flags were being shown to express support for “gay rights”. I responded that I didn’t think there to exist any supposition that the Audubon Society or any other environmental organization sought to discriminate against homosexuals or otherwise abrogate such “gay rights”. I was then favored with the spectacle of witnessing the woman shrugging her shoulders and saying, “well, that’s what we do here”. I then said to her that “Jews have faced quite a bit discrimination in this country and in all countries where they have represented a diasporic presence, why don’t you fly an Israeli flag as well? For that matter, why don’t you show an American flag?” Again, I was favored with the shrug, and a hearty “I got nothin’ for ‘ya”.
What do you make of this? Is it not inappropriate to show the “pride flag” within such a context? Is this a case of misplaced and inappropriate activism? Your thoughts and discussion please.
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