Dear fellow Kossacks and friends,
EMAIL MIKE MYER NOW!
Recently, the managing editor of my hometown newspaper, the Wheeling (WV) Intelligencer, wrote an anti-gay editorial and blog entry opposing the inclusion of workplace and housing protections for gays and lesbians. Here are some excerpts:
Some members of the Wheeling Human Rights Commission have hopped on the bandwagon of demanding special protection for homosexuals. They want the city charter to be changed to guard against discrimination stemming from sexual orientation. Somehow, I don't think they're talking about protecting people whose sexual orientation happens to be heterosexual.
Mike Myer later goes on to claim that he, as a heterosexual, would be discriminated against if he had punched Senator Larry Craig for making sexual advances:
Think about this: Suppose I'm in a public restroom and someone - a U.S. senator, just for argument's sake - starts poking my foot with his and signaling that he's interested in a gay encounter. I say no. He takes offense and lets me have one upside the head. Where do I go to file a claim for being discriminated against because I'm a heterosexual?
In a separate, Sunday morning editorial published on September 2, Myer writes:
Some members of the Wheeling Human Rights Commission believe that the city charter should be amended — to provide specific protections based on sexual orientation.
That’s absurd. Any charter provisions regarding civil rights, economic opportunity, public safety or other issues should pertain to everyone. Singling out members of any specific subset of human beings in effect discriminates against those who are not members of the group.
What I find quite amusing about these comments is that Mike Myer has never been denied employment or housing in Wheeling, WV because of his heterosexuality. I, however, HAVE been denied BOTH employment and housing in Wheeling, WV because of my homosexuality. Recently, Charleston, WV became the first city in the state to adopt housing and employment protections for gays and lesbians. It was done so by A UNANIMOUS VOTE!
While I have encouraged and will continue to lobby the West Virginia legislature for statewide protections, we have to begin somewhere. Wheeling is a fairly moderate/liberal city for the State of West Virginia. It is located 45 miles southwest of Pittsburgh, and it is about to go through an economic boom. Unfortunately, with attitudes like those of Mike Myer, why should anyone want to relocate to such a beautiful and peaceful part of the country when his/her job is not secured?
I ask you to join me, Kossacks, and flood Mike Myer with emails denouncing his obstinately anti-gay editorial!
EMAIL MIKE MYER NOW! (myer@news-register.net); (304) 232-1399
Other contacts to SUPPORT an ENDA ordinance in Wheeling:
Wheeling Human Rights Commission: (304) 234-3609 or garretthrc@yahoo.com
Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce: (304) 233-2575
Wheeling Convention and Visitors Bureau: (800) 828-3097 or info@wheelingcvb.com