Eric Magnus writes to the Kansas City Star about Florida Rep. Allen Trovillion’s comments to gay teens: “I certainly hope that Republican Florida Rep. Allen Trovillion is proud of himself today after his comments to teen-agers who came to him and the members of the Florida House for help.
“I must assume he is condoning violence against homosexuals since he stated that, ‘God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, and he is going to destroy you and a lot of others.’ This in response to a young man’s description of how he was beaten because of the sexual orientation with which he was born. What right does Trovillion have to sit in judgment of anyone except himself? Shame on him and anyone who advocates his misguided and ignorant beliefs. He placed these gay students in a position to learn a few harsh and painful lessons. First, many members of the government are not your friends and will not support you or your needs … . Second, adults won’t always be role models of compassion, understanding and support when you go to them for help. … [T] hose people who are given power are capable of abusing it to promote their own beliefs, line their own pockets, and/or further their own prosperity.”
I learned those lessons years ago.