Steve Taylor The director of an Auckland ‘counselling, mediation and supervision service’ has issued a statement to the media accusing the gay community of being like the Taliban. It comes after a Whangarei couple who turned a lesbian couple away from a room in their lodge have told a newspaper they have been receiving threats. “The reported issuing of death threats by members of the homosexual community to a Whangarei lodge owner couple over the refusal of the couple to host lesbian guests has all the flavour of a modern day Gay Taliban”, says Steve Taylor, the Director of a service called 24-7. ”And the perpetrators of such hate need to pull their heads in, and accept that strong opinion and even legislation does not equal compulsory compliance with their views.” Taylor continues: “It seems that this minority unelected ‘gay Taliban’ has determined that any alternative opinion, save ideological acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle, is to be ridiculed, attacked, and silenced – which is hardly an example of the tolerance, inclusivity, and diversity that the same strident minority claim to desire.” He also attacks protests outside McDonald’s because a worker was told to act less gay by a manager, which Taylor claims was “an attempt to intimidate and silence dissenting opinion”. “The illegitimate labelling of any alternative opinion to homosexuality as ‘homophobia’ is simply another bullying tactic worthy of the worst propaganda exercises of history – alternative opinion does not mean fear of an ideological position - it is simply an alternative opinion, and such opinion is valid in public debate. “Contrary to the opinions of the Gay Taliban, homosexuals are no more or less special than any other person walking the planet – and any threats, intimidation, or attempts at silencing others with alternative opinions and perspectives about homosexuality should be met with stringent resistance. “In other words, the Gay Taliban is strongly encouraged to stop having an ideological tantrum every time someone doesn’t agree with them, accept that true diversity includes debate and disagreement, and grow up.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 21st May 2013 - 9:13am