Is landscaper's overt and discriminatory refusal of gay customer, result of our era of divisive politics?

Question

--There are other ways to avoid customer relationship - e.g. don't show up for estimate, give high estimate, say you're overbooked in that neighborhood

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/09/AR2006110900985.html

Answer 1

I disagree that a better idea would be to not show up, give a high estimate, or claim to be overbooked. As odious as the landscaper's response was, at least they were honest. Also this way both sides got a huge audience to hear their arguments.

From what I know of my conservative Christian friends, Garden Guy might have been trying to "witness" to the couple in their own misguided way, thinking that if they enclosed a few Bible verses and told them why they wouldn't take their business, the couple would see the light, become Christians (assuming they aren't already Christians), and thank Garden Guy for showing them the way.

Why is discrimination a political issue? I guess I'm naive, but is there a certain political party that is pro-discrimination? (And what is the euphemism the party uses as a substitute for that phrase, so they don't sound like prejudicial, judgmental people?) If there is a political party that is generally supportive of this kind of behavior, why on earth are we tolerating that? It saddens me that anyone wishing to join that political party because of views on economics, defense, etc., has to "sign on" to this other group of beliefs that seem to support discrimination and other unacceptable policies.

There should be no question or ambiguity that this action is overt discrimination. I have faith that God will call people forward to change things in this country, and that one day, hopefully not too long from now, equal opportunity and equal treatment will be ensured via a Constitutional amendment.

And though it might be a harder, slower fight, I have faith that someday Christian churches will see their error and accept and love people who are gay.

Answer 2

Right...hidden or covert discrimination is a whole lot better than overt discrimination.
Hidden discrimination makes it OK and makes everyone feel better.

These business guys tried the honest approach and tell this homosexual couple the truth. Instead of telling the landscaper's that they felt it was discriminatory and respecting these guys religious beliefs they decide to get revenge. Instead of sending out 200 e-mails and making it in effect a chain letter they should have sought a legal remedy if they couldn't get past these others guys beliefs.

I was really impressed with the bigoted cowards that posted hate mail on the landscaper's website (the guys who told the gay couple that as Christians they choose not to do business with gays) threatening their 5 children telling the father his kids should be sodomized.

This A$$hole should be tracked down and charged with making threats over commercial and possibly interstate communications lines. He probably a convicted pedophile.

And yes, if anything happens to these landscaper's their family or property, I would hold this gay couple responsible for starting a chain letter they should have know would reach people exactly like the clown that threatened 5 children.

Answer 3

Good lord, we're all crazy.

As a privately owned business, they have the right to refuse services to certain customers, and at least they were honest about it. They should also be prepared for a boycott due to their practices. It's just not good business sense to refuse a paying customer because of sexual orientation.

And that's as far as it should have gone, with a boycott.

All the threats - on both sides - are appalling. Especially bringing the business owners' children into it. Quite shameful, and all it did was reinforce the business owners' stereotype of homosexuals.

Answer 4

I believe the only thing this is a result of is the exercise of freewill.You cannot force the world to accept your beliefs and you can't make people like you sorry- not even if you are gay.

Answer 5

No, I just think some people are still backwards and ignorant, that's all.

Answer 6

The liberal media just ADORES victimology.