Group
Celebrates High Court Ruling
Erie
Times-News, July 4, 2003
205 W. 12th Street, Erie, PA 16534
Fax: 814-870-1808, Email: newsdesk@timesnews.com
By Erica Erwin, erica.erwin@timesnews.com
Independence Day came a day early for gay rights’
protesters picketing U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum’s office in Erie.
Ten members and supporters of Erie’s gay community
gathered at Santorum’s office at 1705 W. 26th St. Thursday to celebrate the
U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling striking down existing sodomy laws.
They gathered, too, to protest remarks made by Santorum
they labeled as offensive.
“We’re thrilled by the (court) ruling,” said Dave
Martin, an Oil City resident and organizer of the event. “It reaffirms
everything we stand for. This is the day we celebrate our independence and
everything America stands for—love of freedom, love of equality and
diversity.
“The court has sent a clear message,” Martin said.
“Sexual practices between consenting adults is a matter of privacy. What
Santorum is attempting to do is impose his own values on all of America.”
The court decision was a victory, said Maureen Koseff,
president of the Erie chapter of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. But
remarks Santorum made in April show there’s still a long road ahead, Koseff
said.
The Associated Press quoted Santorum as saying, “If the
Supreme Court says that you have the right to consensual (gay) sex within your
home, then you have the right to bigamy, you have the right to polygamy, you
have the right to incest, you have the right to adultery. You have the right
to anything.”
Koseff said she hoped the protest would educate people.
“It’s a matter of awareness,” Koseff said. “Part
of our role is to educate the public. The reason a lot of people don’t put
up more of a protest is they’re not aware of the extent of the harm
discrimination causes.”
The protesters held signs that read “No more hate in
Keystone State!” and “Court Rules: Respect Diversity!”
“This is to make a better life for people, to take away
stigmas,” said Mary Zuck, who attended the protest. “This is good for
everyone, not just gay people.”
Attempts to contact Santorum were not successful. The
Erie office said it would try to get a response from Santorum. Calls to
Santorum’s Washington, D.C., office were not returned. A spokesman for
Santorum previously said the senator wasn’t aware of the protest.
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