Gay Youth Group Has Specialty Plate Pulled

[EvilM00s]

Opponents of a specialty license plate for a gay youth support group are now trying to void the group's contract with the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Lawmakers had attempted to eliminate the Indiana Youth Group plate while also reining in the proliferation of specialty plates. Republicans had tried Wednesday to revive legislation to do that which earlier had died in the House.

But some lawmakers were reluctant to cram through in the final day of this session legislation that hadn't passed either the House or Senate. While legislative leaders did not officially declare the effort to pass a bill dead, Senate President Pro Tempore David Long said another "solution" had been found: Voiding the Indiana Youth Group plate.

Long said he believed the Indiana Youth Group had violated its state contract and that it should be cancelled.

"There's a contract clause apparently which I just saw today which apparently says you cannot remarket those for value and they're doing that clearly on their internet site," Long said. "And if they are it says you 'shall' terminate the contract."

Mary Byrne, executive director of the Indiana Youth Group, said the group gave out 11 low-numbered plates as thank-you gifts: Five to new donors, four to existing donors and two to staff members.

Read the whole article Here.

[Irock]

Why are you posting such insignificant news.

[Acolyte]

Not every news post has to be OMG THIS GUY DIED EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE ALREADY KNOWS ABOUT IT!!!!!
I like reading small, interesting articles that I wouldn't have known about otherwise.

[Irock]

I didn't say he shouldn't have posted it. I asked why.

[Arrow]

Perhaps it is possible

and I know this is pretty out there, but bear with me man. Shit's gonna get real.

Perhaps it is possible that he too likes "reading small, interesting articles"?

I know man

I know

blows my fuckin' mind

[Dwarra?]

Arrow why do you

double space

your posts.

[threeofspades]

I, for one, am I huge supporter for gay rights and shit like this pisses me off...
I'm glad you posted this. I mean what about freedom of speech? What the hell ever happened to that?!
Especially when things like this wouldn't actually hurt anyone... I mean it's stupid to think that something like this would even happen. who cares if the group wants a specialty plate?! Let them!!!!

That is my rant for the day.
Thank you.

[EvilM00s]

The thing of it is, in my state the caucus is predominantly conservative Republican. That's fine for all the counties except for Lake and Porter, where I live- but the real problem is that these pukebags have openly admitted that these are the decisions THEY feel are the right ones based on THEIR values, failing to take into account the steadily growing number of gays in the south counties.

Also something they openly said which ENRAGES me is that the youth group in question "encourages unsupervised gay sex between minors." There are so many things wrong with that statement I don't even know what to say.

[haloOfTheSun]

Well, we wouldn't want any gay sex between minors to be unsupervised.

[EvilM00s]

I should think not! We need to keep an eye on everyone.

[tSwitch]

As much as this is totally wrong, I don't see the value in becoming angry, nor does it shock me. 

In our society, there are very prejudiced people with more power than they can reasonably wield. They will invariably do despicable things, and they will invariably make decisions based on their worldview.

All we can do is hope that public opinion will shift them out of office, and vote/act to that end.

[EvilM00s]

Of course, you're right. Becoming angry is counter-productive. I just see how life could be better without those predjudiced people in power, and I feel helpless to vote them out. But I do recognise that this kind of thing (changing public opinion, that is) takes time, and may in fact be inevitable. It's already happened in a lot of other countries and even in some states.

[Lethrface]

To add to that, if we really want change so bad, what needs to be done is for more people who want that change to try to get into office.  People need to start voting and not saying "oh wah my vote doesn't count." 

I do have a question though...why does there need to be a "gay youth support group?"  Why can't there just be a "youth support group" that supports gay, straight and transgender?

Prejudice begins within yourself.  If you are willing to segregate yourself based on sexuality or race, there will continue to be prejudice.

[EvilM00s]

Very true, but how many straight kids need support for their sexual orientation? I don't think it causes that much strife for them. It isn't so much a matter of categorical separation, that needs to exist for those with similar needs. I think it's a question of exclusion.

I vote at every opportunity I get. I am, however, often discouraged at the way my voice is drowned out by those who espouse exclusion of those different.

[tSwitch]

Of course, you're right. Becoming angry is counter-productive. I just see how life could be better without those predjudiced people in power, and I feel helpless to vote them out. But I do recognise that this kind of thing (changing public opinion, that is) takes time, and may in fact be inevitable. It's already happened in a lot of other countries and even in some states.

I agree with you 100%, but in a democratic society, the masses win, and all I can do is legitimately have my voice heard, and hope the rest agree.

That being said, the tides seem to be shifting in our favor, so one day maybe we'll see the end of this nonsense.

I do have a question though...why does there need to be a "gay youth support group?"  Why can't there just be a "youth support group" that supports gay, straight and transgender?

Prejudice begins within yourself.  If you are willing to segregate yourself based on sexuality or race, there will continue to be prejudice.

I can't think of any incidents where straight people were mentally or physically abused due to their sexual orientation, nor can I imagine that someone would have to 'come out' as straight, or feel oppressed by society.

That being said, I also have never seen a GBLT oriented community turn away straight people either.  I've been in a few, and there were straight people who were either curious about themselves and asking questions to that extent, were supporting their friends, or just wanted to understand people.

But that's anecdotal evidence at best.

[Lethrface]

Of course, you're right. Becoming angry is counter-productive. I just see how life could be better without those predjudiced people in power, and I feel helpless to vote them out. But I do recognise that this kind of thing (changing public opinion, that is) takes time, and may in fact be inevitable. It's already happened in a lot of other countries and even in some states.

I agree with you 100%, but in a democratic society, the masses win, and all I can do is legitimately have my voice heard, and hope the rest agree.

That being said, the tides seem to be shifting in our favor, so one day maybe we'll see the end of this nonsense.

I do have a question though...why does there need to be a "gay youth support group?"  Why can't there just be a "youth support group" that supports gay, straight and transgender?

Prejudice begins within yourself.  If you are willing to segregate yourself based on sexuality or race, there will continue to be prejudice.

I can't think of any incidents where straight people were mentally or physically abused due to their sexual orientation, nor can I imagine that someone would have to 'come out' as straight, or feel oppressed by society.

That being said, I also have never seen a GBLT oriented community turn away straight people either.  I've been in a few, and there were straight people who were either curious about themselves and asking questions to that extent, were supporting their friends, or just wanted to understand people.

But that's anecdotal evidence at best.

It is still hardly a reason to specifically create a youth group as a gay youth group.  It is still a form of segregation, regardless of how you look at it.  they may be willing to invite straight people into their group but the fact of the matter is WHY does it have to be a group geared toward gay youth?  Why can't it be a group geared toward ALL youth and possibly even throwing in their mission statement for pamphlets or their website "we accept youth of all races or sexuality and promote individuality" or something along those lines to let people know "hey...you don't have to be afraid to come out of the closet here."

...and if someone is joining a gay youth group, I don't think coming out of the closet is an issue frankly because even if they are straight, people's view of that person would be "that dude is gay." 

[Acolyte]

I can't think of any incidents where straight people were mentally or physically abused due to their sexual orientation, nor can I imagine that someone would have to 'come out' as straight, or feel oppressed by society.

You obviously haven't read enough fanfiction.

[Lethrface]

I guess I'm just mostly confused and live in a fantasy world because all of my life living in Austin, I was around so many gay people that I just can't understand why people need to separate themselves from the rest of the population...then again, I'm also the same person who doesn't believe in "democrat" or "republican" or any of those government parties...I just see "idiot" and "lesser idiot."

[threeofspades]

I know I may be late to the party but I would like to say that  I don't think they are trying to separate themselves. I think that by making it geared towards gays they were trying to make that their focal point. Not separation but acknowledging what they stand for. I've heard people say these things before and I think they miss the main point. (I hope that doesn't sound bitchy... I don't mean it to) It is about having people understand what it is that they want and what they stand for. If they were not specifically stating that it would be just be another youth group and they would go unnoticed.

I don't know if I'm making any sense. I get flustered and start to ramble until I think I got my point across sometimes... Sorry about that...

[chewey]

A homo community sounds like the gayest thing ever. WOULD NOT JOIN.

[Acolyte]

I was under the impression that you were a homosexual, chewey.

[chewey]

Irrelevant

[Esmeralda]

I guess I'm just mostly confused and live in a fantasy world because all of my life living in Austin, I was around so many gay people that I just can't understand why people need to separate themselves from the rest of the population...then again, I'm also the same person who doesn't believe in "democrat" or "republican" or any of those government parties...I just see "idiot" and "lesser idiot."

As someone who grew up in a community where homosexuality was very, very heavily frowned upon I would have welcomed a LGBT support group. What you say about segregation doesn't make much sense; you're not supposed to join AA because you have a food addiction. It's specialized towards helping and supporting one type of people who've gone through a certain type of problem in their life.

[Jules]

I don't think Lethrface is against a LGBT support group. If I am understanding him right, this is what I think he is saying:

By calling it a "Gay Youth Group" they further separate themselves from everyone else. Say you simply call it a youth group, yet stated that your mission is to support the youth LGBT community. Then the support is there, no one can be in the group unless they're willing to accept the other members as they are. But the distinction is that they aren't.. hmm.. I don't' know the right words. They aren't separating themselves from everyone else.  Instead of saying, "Hey, we're different look at us" you're more saying "Hey, we're just like you. We live, we love, we never give up".

At least I think that is what he means. Again, it WOULD be a support group.

[tSwitch]

It is still hardly a reason to specifically create a youth group as a gay youth group.  It is still a form of segregation, regardless of how you look at it.  they may be willing to invite straight people into their group but the fact of the matter is WHY does it have to be a group geared toward gay youth?  Why can't it be a group geared toward ALL youth and possibly even throwing in their mission statement for pamphlets or their website "we accept youth of all races or sexuality and promote individuality" or something along those lines to let people know "hey...you don't have to be afraid to come out of the closet here."

Because the point of these groups is to aid gay youths.  They are labeling themselves after their function.  It's like using a Screwdriver instead of a Multitool, it's more specifically designed for a single purpose.

You're basically arguing that it's not acceptable for them to have a specialized purpose because they're segregating.  All segregation means is organizing and separating things based on common factors.  For some outlets, such as support groups, this can be extremely beneficial, as you'll meet and talk with people you KNOW will be like-minded.

Not all segregation is racism.

Think about Alcoholics Anonymous, would you join their group if you weren't an alcoholic?  Is it wrong for them to segregate alcoholics from other types of addicts?

...and if someone is joining a gay youth group, I don't think coming out of the closet is an issue frankly because even if they are straight, people's view of that person would be "that dude is gay." 

This is just silly to say, just because you joined a support group doesn't mean you've come out to anyone you know.