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October 30, 2001Area clergy, doctors call for a 'No' on Proposal 1- More than 70 doctors, 16 religious leaders, civic groups say Proposal 1 promotes discriminationBy BILL O'BRIENRecord-Eagle staff writer TRAVERSE CITY - Local doctors, clergy and other civic groups banded together Monday morning to urge a "no" vote on the city's controversial Proposal 1 ballot question to be decided Nov. 6. "Our faiths hold a common ethic that civil discrimination against any one group of our brothers and sisters is not to be tolerated," said the Rev. D. Edward Emenheiser of Grace Episcopal Church. "Proposal 1 on November's ballot will promote discrimination in our community." Emenheiser is among 16 local clergy in the "Clergy for Justice" organization opposing the city's Proposal 1 which, if approved next week, would prohibit city boards or commissions from enacting non-discrimination rules or policies that include protection for individuals based on their sexual orientation. More than 70 area physicians who call themselves "Doctors Against Discrimination" were also represented at Monday's press conference, held at the Traverse Area District Library. While some area churches and their leaders have endorsed Proposal 1 because their religions oppose homosexuality, members of the "Clergy for Justice" group feel that it's wrong to frame the issue as a religious debate. "This not about the Bible, this is not about God, this is not about theology. This is about discrimination," said Rabbi Stacie Fine of Congregation Ahavat Shalom. "We're saying that no matter where you stand theologically, it is wrong to discriminate," she added. Other groups showing up to oppose Proposal 1 included the local chapters of the League of Women Voters, the American Civil Liberties Union, members of the city Human Rights Commission and the local citizen group Hate-Free TC. Local physician Kurt Sanford said he received an "overwhelming" response when he began organizing local health care professionals against Proposal 1. They are concerned that its approval could have a significant negative impact on both the mental and physical health of the area's gay and lesbian community by creating an "environment of intolerance" for them. "We treat all our patients the same, and we urge the city to do likewise," Sanford said. Supporters of Proposal 1 aren't surprised by the organizations that have lined up in opposition to the measure. But they say Proposal 1 is in response to groups, such as the Traverse City Human Rights Commission, "increasing their focus on homosexual issues," said Fred Weber, chairman of Traverse City Citizens Voting Yes for Equal Rights Not Special Rights, which endorses Proposal 1. "My question is where were all these groups before Proposal 1 ...because in essence, Proposal 1 changes nothing," Weber said. "This keeps (gay rights issues) where they should be, and that's out of the hands of the city commission." But Will Poland of Hate-Free TC said approval of Proposal 1 by voters next week would create "a black eye" for the city. "We think that it's cruel to single out a specific group of people based on their sexual orientation, which this does," Poland said. "Currently there are no laws to protect some very valuable citizens of this community." |
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