07-26-10 Common Council Meeting Minutes

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REGULAR MEETING JULY 26, 2010 Patrick Mangan, P. O. Box 552, Notre Dame, Indiana, spoke in opposition to Bill 30-10. He stated that the Council has crucial decision to make that will impact and affect the entire community. Despite all the eloquent discussion from people speaking on behalf of the bill and from the former Governor which he has know for over 25 years he would like to bring the discussion back to true reality. He stated that he has been ministering and bringing people out of homosexuality for over 30 years. He stated that the Council has heard emotionally based pleas to embrace homosexuality as legitimate. While this tiny micro-minority has the right to promote their views they are still wrong. The fact that they can so readily promote their views is a glaring demonstration that in fact they have not been treated with intolerance but in fact have been tolerated in spite of the fact the majority of society rejects their lifestyle as unhealthy and unholy. Not in public opinion polls but thirty times across this country when special rights in the form of gay marriage has appeared on the ballot it has been soundly rejected. He stated that he has been ministering to those struggling with same sex attraction for over thirty years this lifestyle is truly harmful and dark. It is not loving as some have asserted to affirm those in this behavior as it often takes a deadly toll on those who stay in this lifestyle, while it may be painful to be loving opposed in an unhealthy behavior for those that seek help change is not only possible but very real and often a life saving experience. To be lovingly opposed and offer the promise of freedom and restoration from the terrible pains of consequences of living out a same sex attracted lifestyle. A dear friend who died just before his 40 birthday from complications from HIV/AIDS opposed this bill the last time it was introduced. He told him that it was key to unseat the lie that this behavior is an identity. He is no longer alive or here to loving oppose this bill. Mr. Mangan stated that is why he is here in part to let his story be heard. He was free from same sex attraction for nearly 20 years following his encounter with Jesus after living a life of homosexual promiscuity as a teenager, he was one of the kindest men he ever new and was an elder in his church. However, he was not free from the disease for the rest of his unnaturally short life and it eventually ended his life. His heart was for those who were being told a lie that this is their true identity and that they cannot change to hear the truth that they cannot only change but be transformed through the love of Jesus and the power of Holy Spirit. There is a false proposition here that what we do is who were are, and that if we reject a persons bad behavior we are rejecting them as a person. This is absolutely untrue and as a society we don’t apply this standard anywhere else. As it would be unfair and unmanageable, this false proposition has been the basis of the many false claims that it is unchristian to oppose this behavior and to loving oppose any attempt to legitimize it. Indeed it is unchristian to call a behavior that the scripture condemns as good. Thank you for listening and but love them as you would your children and reject the bad behavior. Fred Everett, 114 W. Wayne Street, South Bend, Indiana, stated that he is reading a statement on behalf of Bishop Kevin C. Rhodes. As the new Bishop of Fort Wayne- South Bend since January, I have had the privilege of getting to know the communities of Fort Wayne and South Bend as well as many other sin the diocese. I have come to feel very much at home here in northeast Indiana and to appreciate the strongly-held values evident among the people of our area. Recently, in fact, a number of concerned citizens made me aware of an attempt in the South Bend Common Council to establish special rights on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. This proposed ordinance which is being promoted by groups of “Gays, Lesbians, Bi-sexual and Transgendered Persons” would add sexual orientation and gender identity to the standard list of characteristics protected from discrimination, namely those based on race, religion, color, sex disability, nationality or ancestry, and familial status. In 2006, the South Bend Common Council attempted to do this as well but the measure failed to pass. At that time, my predecessor, Bishop John M. D’Arcy, issued a statement of opposition to any effort which would establish special rights on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Today, I do so as well. While I do not question the good intentions of those involved in this effort, this ordinance seems more about validating in law homosexual lifestyles and behaviors than it is about addressing unjust discrimination. Without questions, everyone deserves to be treated fairly and with dignity. Everyone should enjoy the same basic human rights. The Church deplores and type of violent action or hateful speech aimed at homosexual persons. We should not, however, create special rights to validate lifestyles and behaviors to which many of our citizens strongly object for reasons of moral principle, not prejudice or “homophobia.” The main reason for this 8