by Chuck Colson
Townhall.com
January 7, 2004


Most gay rights activists say theyre simply working for equal
rights. But two recent court cases demonstrate that, whether they
realize it or not, theyre really working for something quite
different.

The first case concerns Cheryl Clark, a former lesbian, now a
Christian. Clarks former partner, Elsey McLeod, sued for joint
custody of Clarks adopted daughter after Clark left their
relationship. The judge ruled in McLeods favor on the grounds that
she had been a psychological parent. As Clarks lawyer, James
Rouse, stated, McLeod is being treated like a divorcing spouse even
though they arent and cant be married in the state of Colorado.
The trial court has effectively skipped the gay marriage issue and
gone to gay divorce.

And thats not all. At McLeods request, the court also barred Clark
from exposing her daughter to any Christian materials or teaching
that can be considered homophobic. So Clark could be found in
contempt of court for studying the Bible with her daughter or taking
her to church. Fortunately, Clark is appealing this outrageous
decision.

The second case is equally bizarre. After David Blanchflower
divorced his wife, Sian, because of adultery, Sian appealed the
case, arguing that her lesbian relationship wasnt adultery. The New
Hampshire Supreme Court ruled in her favor, finding that the states
laws didnt include same-sex relationships in the definition of
adultery.

Even gay activists are upset about this one, arguing that it
portrays homosexual relationships as less significant. One
advocacy group wrote in a friend of the court brief, New
Hampshire courts should treat gay adultery the same no matter the
gender of the person with whom the spouse engages in an extramarital
relationship.

Clearly, Sian was unfaithful to her marriage vows, but I think
theyre missing the larger point. Its not just that gay adultery is
treated differently; its that homosexuality in general is treated
differently. It is given preferential treatment in both of these
cases.

Many in our culture have fallen for the argument that homosexuality
is inborn, even though that argument is based on faulty evidence and
wouldnt matter if it were true. But this leads to the conclusion
that, by nature, homosexuals are cut off from enjoying the same
rights that the rest of us enjoy. So we change the law accordingly.
Thats why even some conservatives who are against gay marriage
are in favor of civil unions.

But as you have heard me say before, homosexual relationships are
not the same as heterosexual relationships. A heterosexual
relationship brings together the two sexes to complement and fulfill
each other; a homosexual relationship cannot. And nearly all
heterosexual relationships are able to produce children; homosexuals
cannot without a third party.

So, ironically, any effort to treat homosexuality equal with
heterosexuality ends up treating homosexuality as a special case,
forcing us to bend the rules that govern our societyand create
spurious concepts like psychological parents. We need to realize
this before its too late: Trying to create equivalency where none
exists can only end in confusion and chaos.


For further reading and information:
Valerie Richardson, Mother appeals ruling on gays , Washington
Times, 5 November 2003 .
Appeals court can correct judges error , editorial, Rocky
Mountain News, 17 November 2003 .
Martha Kleder and Robert Knight, Judges Order May Presage More
Abuses against Christians , Concerned Women for America, 13
November 2003 .
Judge to Christian mom: No homophobic teaching , World Net
Daily, 31 October 2003 .
Anne Saunders, Court says wifes gay affair isnt adultery ,
Seattle Times, 8 November 2003 .
Dan Billin, State Supreme Court hears gay adultery arguments ,
Concord Monitor, 21 July 2003 .
Conservative Confusions , editorial, National Review Online, 4
December 2003 .
Lynn Vincent, More equal than others , WORLD, 13 December 2003 .
In this look at Manhattans Harvey Milk High School , Vincent points
out that education is becoming another area where homosexuals are
granted preferential treatment.
BreakPoint Commentary No. 030808, Questionable Purposes: The
Harvey Milk School .
BreakPoint Commentary No. 030411, It Doesnt Add Up: When Two Plus
One Equals Too Many .
The BreakPoint Speak the Truth in Love resource kit is filled with
useful resources, including booklets, CDs, and more, to help you
talk about the highly charged issue of homosexuality with your
friends and neighbors.
See The Way God Made Them? , the Worldview for Parents page
that addresses the nature/nurture argument of homosexuality.

Chuck Colson is founder and chairman of BreakPoint Online, a
Townhall.com member group.