ABC-7 Chicago Compares Homosexual Parade to Ethnic Parades;
IFI's LaBarbera: "Deeply Flawed Analogy"
6/26/2005 6:31:00 AM
By Illinois Family Institute
WLS-TV, ABC's Chicago affiliate (Channel 7), in defending its participation in Sunday's homosexual "Pride Parade," is having a hard time distinguishing between ethnic parades and one that celebrates immoral and changeable sexual behavior.
In a letter to a critic, Emily Barr, General Manager and President of ABC 7, stated, in part, "We cover 10 different parades across the region throughout the course of each year and we participate in them as a float entrant as well. We do this because we serve all of our viewers by recognizing the accomplishments and achievements of these diverse communities, whether it is the Puerto Rican community (Puerto Rican Day Parade), the Italian-American community (Columbus Day Parade) or the Polish-American Community (Polish Constitution Day Parade).
"This is a deeply flawed analogy that offends genuine ethnic minorities," said IFI Executive Director Peter LaBarbera. "Homosexuality has nothing to do with race or ethnicity. We don't have a problem with media corporations affirming real minorities, but that cannot be compared to the media joining in a prideful celebration of unnatural and sinful sexual behavior."
After reading IFI's E-Alert of media participation in Chicago's annual 'Pride Parade', Laurie H. of Deerfield sent the following letter to ABC 7 Chicago President and General Manager, Emily Barr. Barr's response and Laurie's rebuttal are both posted below. Please take a moment to contact Barr at WLS-TV.GeneralManager@abc.com to voice your opposition to media participation in this controversial event.
Read the exchange below:
There are, broadly speaking, two positions on the divisive issue of the moral status of homosexual conduct. One asserts that it is morally neutral or morally equivalent to heterosexuality, while the
other holds that it is immoral and destructive, first to individuals and then to society. Should your organization choose to participate in the upcoming Gay Pride parade, it would appear that it had abandoned neutrality on this contentious issue, and, therefore, serious doubts would arise regarding both journalistic objectivity and integrity.
Sincerely,
Laurie H.
Thank you for your email regarding our participation in and coverage of the upcoming gay pride parade this weekend. We understand and appreciate that homosexuality may be considered by some to be a
controversial lifestyle and by others to be a matter of genetic
predisposition. Whatever the case, we accept and acknowledge the diverse communities that make up the Chicagoland area and attempt, through our coverage and participation, to recognize these diverse groups by covering major events in their communities. The parade this weekend represents one of the largest parades being held in Chicago. We cover 10 different parades across the region throughout the course of each year and we participate in them as a float entrant as well. We do this because we serve all of our viewers by recognizing the accomplishments and achievements of these diverse communities, whether it is the Puerto Rican community (Puerto Rican Day Parade), the Italian-American community (Columbus Day Parade) or the Polish-American Community (Polish Constitution Day Parade).
Our ability and responsibility to cover the news is separate and apart from our local programming parade coverage and we will continue to cover all sorts of issues and news stories that may relate to specific groups objectively and appropriately.
We are not attempting to endorse or condemn any specific group but are recognizing the rights of all citizens in our society to gather and celebrate the accomplishments of their specific communities.
Thank you for taking the time to email us with your concerns.
Emily Barr
President & General Manager
ABC 7 Chicago
Dear Ms. Barr,
I appreciate your timely and thoughtful response, which in turn begs for further discussion.
Your choice of "genetic predisposition" is particulary noteworthy in that it does not imply absence of control. Granting the hypothetical possibility of a biological predisposition for a particular behavior does not automatically exempt that behavior from moral judgment. Certainly, society would not, and ought not, argue that all behaviors that have biologically predispositive influences are automatically moral. That kind of thinking would carry seriously dangerous socio-political implications.
Accepting and reporting on Chicago's "diverse communities" is something entirely different from approving of and participating with them. And participating in their parade necessaily requires prior approval. I would politely suggest that if NAMBLA, or the KKK, or a group dedicated to legalizing drugs, or one committed to normalizing "open marriages" or polygamy organized a parade that your news organization would not particpate even though these groups are part of our "diverse community" and even though some argue that their desires and behavior have biological predispositive influences. I further suggest that the reason your organization would not participate is that it would find these beliefs and behaviors morally problematic. Although you might cover them, you would not participate. To participate in Saturday's parade, you must have concluded that homosexuality poses no inherent moral problems, hence you have abdicated neutrality. Your participation absolutely and necessarily represents a tacit endorsement of homosexuality.
Further, the comparisons you make to parades held to recognize the accomplishments of the Puerto Rican, Italian-American and Polish-American communities are weak and offensive. Ethnic heritage is not a biological predispositon and carries no behavioral implications. Many among those communities, as well as African Americans who are most often exploited to justify approval of homosexual conduct, are offended at these specious analogies.
Sincerely,
Laurie H.
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Illinois Family Institute
P.O. Box 88848
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188
Phone: (708) 781-9328
Fax: (708) 781-9376
Evil men don't understand the importance of justice,
but those who follow the Lord are much concerned about it.
~Proverbs 28:5
(NKJV)
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