In an interview in The Stranger, Seattle’s alternative newsweekly, writer Sherman Alexie talks about why he recently cancelled two Indiana speaking engagements. He’s happy to visit Nortre Dame and the Kurt Vonnegut Library in the future, but only if the so-called religious freedom law is repealed. Déjà vu anyone? Remember when the Los Angeles City Council called for a boycott of Arizona after former Gov. Jan Brewer signed SB 1070 into law. It was, in retrospect, probably the shortest boycott against Arizona on record—unfortunately they are hard to sustain.
However, what I enjoyed about Alexie’s interview was how he described this new law—designed to allow people to use religion as an excuse to refuse services to people some religions don’t like. He’s right. Religion in this country is already protected. When does this kind of hate justification stop, veiled by the continued argument that it protects people from being sued for refusing to photograph a gay wedding or do a cake or more. This is new Jim Crow territory we’re entering, except now days it’s bad for to be racist in public, but you know, it’s OK to, uh, be homophobic. But in Gov. Mike Pence’s world this kind of hate becomes justified because it balances what he sees as a world that’s anti-Christian. However, religion in this country is protected—from the classroom to taxes. Our LGBT community has been working hard for the changes we’ve seen lately, and that only offers some protection. There’s a long way to go, and the bottom line is hate is hate no matter how you package it.
— Mari Herreras, mherreras@tucsonweekly.com
CORRECTION
In our “100 Essential Dishes,” March 26, we printed the wrong location of the La Mesa Tortilla where you can eat their yummy breakfast burrito. That location is 3684 W. Orange Grove Road.
This article appears in Apr 2-8, 2015.
Hate is hate right?, like the death threats and the out of town crackpot who went on social media to enlist others to join her to go to Indiana to “bomb” the ladies’ pizzeria (who looks like she might be facing federal terrorist charges) For every business person who doesn’t want to accommodate gay weddings, there are hundreds who will. Stop the bullshit and media frenzy. Jim Crow, Ya.
Ed…sure would like an explanation as to why so many features have been discontinued. Comics, 9 questions and a number of features gone.
Why. Who gave the orders to drop ’em.
In town decision or new owner decision. ?
Spending less so the new owner can take more out of Tucson ?
We are in the Alice through the Looking Glass age now where the ALEC/Koch’s have the money and position to ram through any legislation they want; the goal always being divide and conquer. Keep their attention here so we can erode democracy there, and saddest of all, make no pretense about it.
It is only informed public outrage that somewhat keeps it in check, and our thanks to TW for always keeping the information in or faces
Thanks to the Tucson Weekly for helping the LGBTI community have equal standing for news coverage and events offered in Tucson. It makes life much kinder when we are openly recognized and treated with respect. It also brings that respect into view for others who still need to learn.
You need to understand the difference between hate and disagreement. If a homosexual came into my graphics arts business and told me he was opening a restaurant and wanted me to bid for the graphics needed, I would say yes, fine. If he wanted me to bid on his new bath house opening, I would say no. I wouldn’t want to participate in celebrating the homosexual lifestyle, due to the fact the Bible says it is an abomination to the Creator. But the push for homosexual “rights” is becoming a bit fascist now that the law has declared that the anus is a sex organ in these here United States. We have the right of association and freedom of religion.
SRG, you have freedom of religion, also the freedom to watch your business collapse when word gets out on how you treat customers. Not sure what church you attend but pretty sure God has the whole judgement of sin thing under control and probably doesn’t need help; “all have sinned, none are righteous” is how that goes.
Why not put your business name up here to keep those Sodomites away?