"Don't get me wrong. I have gay friends, but..."
"...I don't believe gays should be allowed to marry"
"...I don't want gays serving openly in the military."
To often, these words are used to justify discrimination and bigotry towards homosexuals. Recently, our favorite plumber uttered this phrase.
Christianity Today: In the last month, same-sex marriage has become legal in Iowa and Vermont. What do you think about same-sex marriage at a state level?
Wurzelbacher: At a state level, it's up to them. I don't want it to be a federal thing. I personally still think it's wrong. People don't understand the dictionary--it's called queer. Queer means strange and unusual. It's not like a slur, like you would call a white person a honky or something like that. You know, God is pretty explicit in what we're supposed to do--what man and woman are for. Now, at the same time, we're supposed to love everybody and accept people, and preach against the sins. I've had some friends that are actually homosexual. And, I mean, they know where I stand, and they know that I wouldn't have them anywhere near my children. But at the same time, they're people, and they're going to do their thing.
Really? I'm speechless. You wouldn't let a gay friend near your kids? I'm stuck wondering what kind of company you keep if you won't let your friends near your kids. Or do you really have gay friends? I'm betting you don't, Samuel "Joe" Wurzelbacher. I'll bet you know that you're in an unpopular minority. The only difference between you and the other religious bigots is that you try and sugarcoat your views by saying that you have a "gay friend". After all, if you know a homosexual, it's totally alright. It's all part of what's becoming known as the "gay friend" defense.
Whenever I hear others try to backpedal and cover their asses with that, I wonder why nobody calls them out? What kind of person wouldn't let a "friend" near his/her kids just because of their orientation? Why would you even befriend them in the first place if you were that uncomfortable around them? The whole damn thing stinks of hypocrisy.
This isn't limited to homosexuals. People use this phrase to justify their racist or sexist views all the time. Listen, just because you know someone of that race, gender, or orientation, that doesn't automatically "exonerate" you from your prejudice against them. Friendship is about accepting your friends for who they are. It's about trust and mutual respect. It's not to be used as a crutch for whatever archaic views you have.
Using the "I have a <insert minority group> friend" Defense as a political prop is disgraceful and tasteless. Only cowards hide behind their friends. Own up to your views or go home.
(Thanks to Reaper0Bot0 for posting the original story)