by Tommy Self Jr.

I write this letter independent of personal affiliation, but instead from the perspective all we readers share that of a human being. And as a human being, I would like to alert other sympathetic people about a serious injustice that intentionally is allowed to exist.

Many of you are aware that laws exist in the State of Illinois intended to prevent discrimination of its citizens. These laws, collectively known as the Anti-Discrimination Clause, specify that discrimination cannot occur on the basis of sex, creed, ethnicity, religious background, age and physical handicap. Yet, of all of these, the innate trait of sexual orientation is not included. That means that other human beings may be refused service by businesses, overlooked for housing and even fired from their jobs without any legal form of recourse. This has some notable exceptions, such as in the policies of certain businesses, Cook County, and here at SIUC. But, this does not necessarily extend to other portions of the community.

Advertisement

Many of you may not be aware that a bill proposed in the Illinois legislature that would have added sexual orientation to the Anti-Discrimination Clause was rejected solely on the basis that it would have provided special rights. Such opposition was incorrect in its assumption, as it would not have provided special rights to certain individuals, but instead would have protected all people including heterosexuals from unfair practices.

October is Gay History Month, and the month provides the perfect opportunity to educate all human beings about the progress of human rights and to show all people how far we still have to go in the struggle for true equality. I would encourage all sympathizers to write to politicians in support of such measures, or to become active in such organizations as the Human Rights Coalition, the ACLU or local action groups such as Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Friends.