The firefighters were in no way “insulting others because they don’t share [their] beliefs.”

It seems it was the other way around. The firefighters were insulted and harassed because of their beliefs. And it was Tracy Jarman who attempted to enforce her beliefs on her employees.

First you use words such as “enforce” and “harass” and “insult” to define a Homophobe, then you swing in another direction altogether to assert that it is someone who believes homosexual acts are immoral and speaks out against them. The idea is “Sure, have your beliefs, but keep your mouth shut and stay out of our way.” Jesurgislac, you have to admit sometime that the entire world does not have to sit down and conform to your beliefs. They don’t. And just because they don’t, doesn’t mean that they are Homophobic. Speaking out is not “harassing” and “insulting.” It is speaking out. And speaking out (in this instance) is not aimed at the individual, but the act.

“The proper thing for someone who believes homosexual acts are immoral is to refrain from them.”

Yes, and if they believe homosexual acts are wrong and destructive, the proper thing is to educate others; not shut up and sit down.

“It has absolutely no bearing on firefighters thinking they should be exempted from carrying out a legtiimate order to take part in a parade.”

If you keep insisting on claiming they were “on duty” and being asked to respond to a “legitimate order,” I will simply keep quoting Lesbian Fire Chief Tracy Jarman who called the festival a “fun event,” one in which her employees were “encouraged to participate.” (Encouraged, not ordered – and herein lies the lawsuit for while she claims it was not mandatory, these four were, nevertheless, subjected to it against their objections).

No. But attempting to enforce your private belief on others, or harassing or insulting others because they don’t share your belief, does. A person who thinks homosexual acts are immoral and who is not homophobic, will keep their private belief to themselves.

The proper thing for someone who believes homosexual acts are immoral is to refrain from them. It has absolutely no bearing on firefighters thinking they should be exempted from carrying out a legtiimate order to take part in a parade.

a. stay on topic
b. present sincere and reasonable arguments (see below)
c. refrain from making yourself look ridiculous/self-promoting by bringing up past issues with other commentators (which include links to tangential material).

Two of the men complaining of harassment after the parade does not discount the complaint (and experience) of the other two men.

Also, believing homosexual acts are immoral does not make someone homophobic.

Otherwise, thanks for bringing up some good issues. It will be interesting to see what happens. Have a great Sunday!

That is untrue and all anyone need do to confirm the false nature of that claim is visit the blog and check out the multitude of conversations which include a variety of dissenting opinions. Keep *shrugging,* Jesurgislac, but lies will get you nowhere. Perhaps you have been banned from Beetle’s blog as well? That would explain the animosity…and the determination to malign those who refuse to print your ridiculous assertions.

*shrug* I don’t read blogs which do not permit civil disagreement. Beetle doesn’t.