Hate Groups Using ‘Heterosexually Challenged’ as New Tactic Against Equality - Baltimore Democrat
Hate Groups Using ‘Heterosexually Challenged’ as New Tactic Against Equality - Baltimore Democrat
What made last night unique was the wording used by two of the individuals speaking out against Maryland’s Question 6, enacting the Civil Marriage Protection Act. The two individuals used the term “heterosexually challenged”.
The term had often been used as a humorous way to express being gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered. It had become so accepted as slang it has an Urban Dictionary entry.
The term has moved from playful quip amongst friends and community members to a full-fledged tactical ploy from anti-gay groups to roll back or remove gay rights.
According to David Williams, an opponent of Question 6, “Homosexuality is a choice. It’s no different than choosing what to have for breakfast or what type of car to purchase. We want the voters and politicians to realize this and to take appropriate actions to discourage this behavior.
“The term is just what it says. There are some people who have corrupted their minds so much, they have challenged their own ability to be straight. We want people to help them return to heterosexuality through therapy and legal consequence, starting with ensuring queer marriage does not become law.”
Williams was joined by Donna Smith, another opponent of Question 6. “These people need to know that they have options besides spreading sin and disease in our schools, our homes, and our churches. If people understood that being gay or lesbian was a choice being made by the individual, the support for these deviant lifestyles would greatly diminish.”
Both Williams and Smith used the term ‘heterosexually challenged’ when talking to attendees. In addition to cards requesting people vote against Question 6, Smith also handed out paperwork for a conversion therapy center located in Southern Pennsylvania and run by a fundamentalist Christian church.