Let's make 2019 the year we address an issue I saw during the election- blatant discrimination. Discrimination is an ugly word to describe an ugly behavior and I was surprised at the way it was used against Turlock’s Mayor Gary Soiseth.
Here are some things to remember.
1. According to U.S stats approximately 2 in 100 people in the U.S are gay.
2. Twenty-two states, including California outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation.
3. Sexual orientation discrimination is prohibited in public and private employment in California.
4. Being gay is not an indicator of how well someone can do their job.
5. Being gay is not contagious nor is it a mental illness. People are born that way.
There is more to fear from the new mayor then the outgoing. I question her ability to be a team player, or cooperative when it matters. She's not only divisive, she’s willing to use her gender as a weapon against others when it’s convenient. Is that really what voters want? We need a mayor willing to reach across aisles, genders, political affiliations and biases to represent all of Turlock, not just a select few. That’s what makes a good mayor and Gary Soiseth was that good.
Whether you like it or not, Turlock has a sizeable gay community as does Stanislaus County. There are numerous places that welcome them with open arms, fromMoPride to The Central Valley Pride Center, The PLACE Youth Group, Josie’s Place located on the CSUS campus, Rainbow Pages, The Empowerment Center, and The LGBQTA Collaborative and many more. There are dozens of meet sites, clubs and bars as well as support groups too. It is estimated around 25,000 gay men and women live in the city of Modesto alone.
Turlock missed an opportunity to show that in the 21st century we had indeed risen above our fear of what we may not understand. Being gay is not a choice and it’s time to overcame the fear of something so commonplace.
Let's make 2019 the year we finally accept people for who they are, rather then forcing everyone into the same box. Our differences make us individuals. Can you imgaine a world where everyone was the same? I can't and I wouldn't want to live in it.
Linda Taylor.