From: RMBEILKE@aol.com Date: Sat, 12 Apr 1997 07:22:36 -0400 (EDT) Subject: "Heterosexual supremacist" vs. "anti-gay person" I can see no reason not to change the convention and plenty of reasons to change the convention at this time of the language used for those who would express disrespect for gay and lesbian equality before the law. I propose that the term "heterosexual supremacist" be adopted in lieu of "anti-gay person." Reason: Our struggle as people of a different sexual orientation for equal rights under the law is a human rights and civil rights struggle. No respectable newspaper today would ever use the terminology "anti-black person" or "anti-African American person." Clearly the language convention of choice is "white supremacist." This convention places the responsibility for bigotry where it belongs. Can we change the conventional use of language? Of course. How else did the use of the word "gay" come about? FROM NOW ON, I will substitute the term "HETEROSEXUAL SUPREMACIST" for "anti-gay person." PLEASE JOIN ME. Example: The terminology for "Anti-gay" legislator Terrance Tom (in the Hawaii equal marriage rights debate) would change to "Heterosexual-supremacy" legislator Terrance Tom. Richard Beilke Creator/Proprietor of the Gay Marriage Calendar 1997 RMBEILKE@aol.com http://home.aol.com/RMBEILKE Home Pa ge for RMBEILKE