Saratoga News

Domestic partners issue should go to voters

By Elaine Hocker

On Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m., Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors will conduct a special meeting to ascertain whether they should approve a measure to officially recognize the domestic partnership issue for the homosexual community. Most people are totally unaware of the potential negative impact this measure could have if approved.

Contrary to the liberal news media's publicity on this issue, a large intellectual segment of our society that claims to have no religious convictions emphatically opposes the endorsement of homosexuality. Their backgrounds extend across the scientific, economic and political boundaries of our society.

Normally, the homosexual community seeks recognition for their lifestyle from an educational system, community, company, etc., without any requests for the financial "marriage" benefits. Once they achieve recognition for their lifestyle, they then appeal for all benefits granted to those under the legal definition of marriage. Of course, the question is: If they gain recognition for their lifestyle, why should they not be entitled to all the benefits of their status? The answer is that there is no way you can avoid granting this same recognition to any type of arrangement for which any two (or more) people might apply.

Ongoing attempts by the homosexual community to prove a genetic/biological basis for their sexual orientation have created an aversion among many scientists engaged in scientific research. Their aversion is due to a lack of credibility in past research to prove the biological basis. One example: Dr. Dean Hamer, director of gene research for the National Cancer Institute, was removed from his post after peer scientists questioned the integrity of his research findings on the "gay gene."

Most scientists readily agree that the genetic/biological proof of homosexuality quickly loses its impact as many homosexuals convert to heterosexuality after psychiatric treatment. Joseph Nicolosi, a psychologist, whose reparative therapy has helped more than 400 individuals leave the homosexual lifestyle, states the public's misperception about homosexuality is due to a total blackout by the liberal news media of the number of homosexuals who have left that lifestyle.

The most outspoken in the intellectual community are the psychiatrists who have had the greatest personal exposure to the effects of homosexuality. The high alcoholism rate of homosexuals and the high suicide rate of homosexuals is not viewed by them as an accident.

There does not seem to be any question that homosexuals have a psychological mindset, a programmed way of thinking or an addictive mental attitude. This description of mental states is also applicable to compulsive gamblers, pedophiles and those addicted to pornography. It is also recognized that those with addictive mental behaviors can earn high incomes, can have high IQs and be personable or charismatic in their social relationships.

Legislatively, up to this point, we have not decided to avoid discrimination against compulsive gamblers by publicly funding their habit, or of not penalizing pedophiles by assuring their access to child victims, or of assuring those addicted to pornography with increased exposure to enable them to attain some sadistic goal. Current government action appears to be only concerned with endorsing and legalizing homosexuality.

The average U.S. citizen's reluctance to get involved in any political endeavor has served to great advantage of the homosexual community. The homosexual community's decision to use political power to gain acceptance is evidenced by the number of homosexuals in political appointee positions at every level. They simply assure one another's appointment to every political opening. The number of homosexuals on the Santa Clara County Human Relations Commission are placing heavy pressure on the county supervisors to approve the domestic partnership measure.

In 1980, more than 70 percent of the voters rejected the Santa Clara County sexual orientation measure. The county supervisors can now approve this measure without going to the voters, or you, the public, can attend the Aug. 13 meeting and force the supervisors to place this measure on the ballot again for the voters to decide.

Elaine Hocker is a Saratoga resident.