LGBT Groups To Meet With Rep. Stevenson

The following is a release from Lion's Pride Idaho and comes after the group requested an apology from Rep. John A. "Bert" Stevenson (R-Rupert) for comments made during a segment on "Zeb at the Ranch" with Zeb Bell.

Yesterday Rep. Stevenson made another appearance on the program where he said to Bell, "If I've offended somebody, I apologize but I want people to realize that the question you asked me the last time was my opinion and that hasn't changed at all.  And so if I've offended someone I apologize for that but my opinion hasn't changed," indicating that he has held his position for 30 or 40 years.

Representative Stevenson to meet with Lion's Pride and SIGLBT

Following Lion's Pride's call for John A. "Bert" Stevenson to apologize for his radio remarks made on February 25, Lion's Pride Idaho and the Southern Idaho Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual and Transgendered Community Center requested a meeting with him to discuss our shared concerns.

Representative Stevenson has graciously agreed to meet with representatives from the two groups next week in Boise.

"A unique opportunity has opened up to begin a respectful dialog between LGBT and the Idaho State Legislature. We hope and pray that this will build a bridge of understanding," said Donna Harwood Owner of Lion's Pride Idaho.

"The time has come to start talking about LGBT issues with those who may have a different religious or philosophical viewpoint, and hopefully work together in a positive manner to ensure that all Idahoans receive the same respect, dignity and fair treatment as everyone else. We are pleased that Rep. Stevenson is taking the time to discuss his remarks. Our point is not to "push our sexuality" upon anyone, quite the contrary, our point is to make sure that the thousands of hardworking, normal, everyday LGBTwho live and work in the Magic Valley and beyond are represented truthfully, accurately, and in a responsible manner," said James Tidmarsh, President SIGLBT Community Center.

By meeting with Representative Stevenson, we are hoping to share our individual journeys with him, and bring about a human connection that will initiate a dialog between Stevenson and his LGBT constituents. Thereby, starting the healing process and mending the hurt feelings created by his remarks.

Comments

[Sisyphus]

I view this as a very positive development provided Bert is sincere in his efforts to try and understand. The first step in solving a problem is recognizing you have one. However, while Bert may have been exposed to gay people on television I seriously doubt that he knows anyone who is openly gay given the dehumanizing atmosphere he and Zeb have perpetrated. This will bring him a step closer looking on gay people as human beings. But somehow I don't think Zeb views this as a positive development.

[ThomG]

MGR, thanks for tracking this for us, this guy is to dangerous and poisonous to ignore.

[hanjiwa]

MG it seams to me that you and Zeb are two peas in the SAME pod. You say that all he does is spout hate speach. ALL I read in your blog is the hate speach. Hate directed at him. And I can not find one time that violence has erupted because of Zeb Bells talk show. You have your freedom of speach he has his! But thats just my observation. I think it will be interesting to see how long this post stays on the net.

[Casey]

It sounds like a step in the right direction. I love the mention of "respect, dignity and fair treatment," as that is ultimately how acceptance will be gained.

[Coward of the County]

Hanjiwa writes: "MG it seams to me that you and Zeb are two peas in the SAME pod. You say that all he does is spout hate speach."

Hey, Hanjiwa, first of all, unless you're saying it's 'speach (it is a peach), please kindly refer to your dictionary. S-P-E-E-C-H.

Second, as for MG, You go girl! (With all respect for the female gender I state that!) This blog merely publishes a synopsis of the hate-filled remarks offered up by Zeb Bell. The only person to blame here is Zeb Bell, and knowing him personally, I can assure you that he is a racist and a bigot.

In case you are wanting to know, History Central defines hate speech as:

"Hate" speech - type of speech which is used to deliberately offend an individual; or racial, ethnic, religious or other group. Such speech generally seeks to condemn or dehumanize the individual or group; or express anger, hatred, violence or contempt toward them.

http://www.historycentral.com/Civics/H.html

Zeb fits the bill. No more questioning needed. If you still take issue, perhaps YOU need sensitivity training.

Kudos to MG and Tara for their torturous hours of logging and blogging one of Idaho's worst.

[Sisyphus]

Very odd, hanjiwa. First off, MG has been nothing but gracious in her approach to this topic and merely wants to confront in an effort to demonstrate how this rhetoric that causes minorities to feel unwelcome and afraid in Idaho. Doing the necessary work in compiling the rhetoric in one location has already provided fruit in that cause by enabling her to hold up a mirror to Zeb and allow him to see the ugly figure staring back. Considering that she's a target of Zeb's hate speech, I think she's been more than polite.

But more ironic is that you should make that comment on this post which delivers the news of an effort to meet and share ideas on bridging the gap on their differences. I see olive branches on this side not weapons. And while Bert Stevenson is taking the high road, Zeb has done nothing but hold up a fist.

[MountainGoat]

It's all right guys... I'm glad to have hanjiwa along. Maybe as he or she hangs out and reads a bit more here, he or she will find out a bit more of what this blog is all about.

Kudos too, hanjiwa, for having the courage to post a comment here, despite the belief that it wouldn't be well received.

[hanjiwa]

MG, Thank you for your kind words. I have read many posts on this web site. I think I have a good feel for it. And for those who post here. I offer you this. If you allow me to stay and post here, I promise to keep my arguments Intelligent and respectful so that we all may benefit from a little discussion. Though We may not always agree but at the end of the day we might hold our heads high knowing that we chose to take the high road. But you might have to put up with a little bad spelling from time to time. For that I am sorry.

[MountainGoat]

hanjiwa, bad spelling or not (and whose isn't from time to time ;-) ), you are welcome here as long as you'd like. I think we could all benefit from a little intelligent and respectful discussion. Thanks for choosing to be a part of it here.

[Binkyboy]

Intelligent and Respectful? Does that mean I'm no longer welcome?

Actually I find hanjiwa's argument lacking and of the same vein as the argument that identifying racists is in some way racist in and of itself. When one attempts to protect minority groups from persecution, there is no other way to fight hate speech with anything other than their own words in their own contexts. Such speech is very much allowed by the First Amendment, as long as it doesn't incite violence. At some point, however, hate speech does incite, and it is almost impossible to track that speech back to any single instance. So to categorize and identify hate speech is absolutely necessary to at least have some evidence to hold those responsible at a later time.

As well, making the speaker aware that they are being watched, logged and talked about in more mainline circles does tend to reduce certain types of hate speech. It is obvious that Zeb is aware, and afraid, of what is going on. Perhaps that fear and awareness will start an internal change with Zeb. It may be slow, but it could happen.

Just as an example of what some kinds of hate speech can do: the guy that shot up a church last year had masses of right-wing literature in his house. O'Reilly, Hannity, Coulter and more were his inspirations to hate and to plan violence against those that he was trained to believe were responsible for his own dire straits.