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Seattle City Light & the Gay Pride Parade
Philip Irvin, a Seattle City Light employee, has recently shared this experience with us here at Faith & Freedom. Keep in mind this happened before the passage of HB2661.
Philip Irvin in his own words:
EEO Complaint against Philip Irvin
This complaint and its investigation demonstrate again how one-sided “sexual orientation” discrimination rules are and will be enforced.
Seattle City Light (SCL) invited its employees to participate in the Gay Pride Parade. Irvin responded to the participants with the attached e-mail. He noted that the parade was a political event and that discrimination laws prohibit SCL from choosing which event it participates in based on the political ideology of the event. He asked that, if SCL chose to have employees represent it in the Parade, he could be allowed to represent SCL at a Love Won Out seminar, noting that it “provided teaching on how to leave the gay lifestyle for those who choose to do so.” In making his request he made certain that he made no derisive comments about any other group and the e-mail only sought equal treatment to that afforded to employees who participated in the Parade.
Two employees, Edward Richards and Linda Vorhis, took offense at this e-mail and filed an EEO complaint noting that it was “demeaning” and “anti-gay in nature” and a violation of the requirement that employees exhibit “mutual respect.”
Before consenting to investigate a complaint the EEO office will ask, “If the allegations are all true, has a violation taken place?” If not, the case heads to the waste bin. Then if, after interviewing the complainants, the investigator finds no violation the case would be closed; there would be no point in interviewing the accused. That didn’t happen here either. It appears that the investigator is poised to rule against Irvin.
How has his treatment differed from the actions of SCL? SCL invited employees to represent it at a Parade that features phallic symbols, indecent exposure, and overt sexual themes with entrants from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to the Masturbation Militia. Indeed, just an invitation to march in the Parade is degrading and constitutes sexual harassment. But while SCL invited employee participation, Irvin did not and only chose to attend himself-but with the same recognition afforded parade participants. He even made it clear that the theme of Love Won Out was not for all gays but only those who chose to.
This is a very useful case to expose the hypocrisy of the gay community and their supporters. The sole basis for the complaint is contained in its entirety in a single e-mail—there is absolutely no dispute over Irvin’s actions and Irvin had no other contact with the complainants. Further complainant’s stated objective is to block Irvin from sending correspondence like this seeking equal treatment.
The actions of the City are clear. Not only will discrimination laws be used to deny equal treatment, they will also be used to punish and silence those who have the audacity to seek the equality that the law purports to provide.
After meeting with the EEO investigator their position was that I offended the gays and knew that I would offend the gays with a discussion about an organization such as Love Won Out. As they were not part of the discussion or action it was inappropriate for me to send the e-mail to them. I was able to get out of this situation with a mere apology to them without waiving any rights.
_________________
Philip Irvin in his own words:
EEO Complaint against Philip Irvin
This complaint and its investigation demonstrate again how one-sided “sexual orientation” discrimination rules are and will be enforced.
Seattle City Light (SCL) invited its employees to participate in the Gay Pride Parade. Irvin responded to the participants with the attached e-mail. He noted that the parade was a political event and that discrimination laws prohibit SCL from choosing which event it participates in based on the political ideology of the event. He asked that, if SCL chose to have employees represent it in the Parade, he could be allowed to represent SCL at a Love Won Out seminar, noting that it “provided teaching on how to leave the gay lifestyle for those who choose to do so.” In making his request he made certain that he made no derisive comments about any other group and the e-mail only sought equal treatment to that afforded to employees who participated in the Parade.
Two employees, Edward Richards and Linda Vorhis, took offense at this e-mail and filed an EEO complaint noting that it was “demeaning” and “anti-gay in nature” and a violation of the requirement that employees exhibit “mutual respect.”
Before consenting to investigate a complaint the EEO office will ask, “If the allegations are all true, has a violation taken place?” If not, the case heads to the waste bin. Then if, after interviewing the complainants, the investigator finds no violation the case would be closed; there would be no point in interviewing the accused. That didn’t happen here either. It appears that the investigator is poised to rule against Irvin.
How has his treatment differed from the actions of SCL? SCL invited employees to represent it at a Parade that features phallic symbols, indecent exposure, and overt sexual themes with entrants from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to the Masturbation Militia. Indeed, just an invitation to march in the Parade is degrading and constitutes sexual harassment. But while SCL invited employee participation, Irvin did not and only chose to attend himself-but with the same recognition afforded parade participants. He even made it clear that the theme of Love Won Out was not for all gays but only those who chose to.
This is a very useful case to expose the hypocrisy of the gay community and their supporters. The sole basis for the complaint is contained in its entirety in a single e-mail—there is absolutely no dispute over Irvin’s actions and Irvin had no other contact with the complainants. Further complainant’s stated objective is to block Irvin from sending correspondence like this seeking equal treatment.
The actions of the City are clear. Not only will discrimination laws be used to deny equal treatment, they will also be used to punish and silence those who have the audacity to seek the equality that the law purports to provide.
After meeting with the EEO investigator their position was that I offended the gays and knew that I would offend the gays with a discussion about an organization such as Love Won Out. As they were not part of the discussion or action it was inappropriate for me to send the e-mail to them. I was able to get out of this situation with a mere apology to them without waiving any rights.
_________________
15 Comments:
Phil Irvin:
The one who said that domestic partnership registration would lead to people filing just to get health benefits. Didn't happen.
The one who insisted on attending the gay & lesbian employees meeting, filed a complaint and was ruled on in his favor.
The one who on a local afternoon talk TV program gave a big sloppy kiss to the Lambda League lawyer sitting next to him because, during making a comment, he put his hand on Phil's knee.
The story correctly states once that the complaint was due to company policy, not anti-discrimination statutes but then later on misrepresents it as being because of them.
And it seems that a segment of Phil's email to Gary was at the end since it talks about 'I offended'...
What does this have to do with HB2661 again?
Philip Irvin has a long history of harassing LGBT people.
"Doreen McGrath, CERCL chair, said Irvin had "stepped up his activity" in Seattle City Light since the OCR ruled in his favor, viewing the ruling "as a green light," McGrath said. She named several incidents that had come to her attention in recent days, including a complaint that Irvin filed against CIRCLE for posting its fliers in city light offices.
"I personally have witnessed Phil Irvin harassing people at City Light," she said. "I've seen him harassing people at Gay Pride marches with his video camera."
McGrath witnessed one incident in which Irvin became physically violent with Clara Frasier, a founding member of SEAGL. "He was attending public hearings on the King County Fair Housing and Employment ordinance when Clara Frasier, a founding member of SEAGL, went out into the hall and smoked a cigarette when it was still legal to have a cigarette in the hallways. Phil Irvin came up and physically attacked her. There were other witnesses there. ... He often intimidates people verbally." [http://legalminds.lp.findlaw.com/list/queerlaw-edit/msg01254.html]
“It's the world -- not the Bible -- that says we Christians are supposed to be kind and gentle" says Phil. And all this time I thought it was Jesus!
Like the homosexual activists here don't have a long history of harrassing Christians .
Which means when you are treated unfairly it is false ? True , who knows , anyone who read your posts would have no idea if your complaints were sincere or just meant to promote an agenda.
How sad ..
It is interesting to note that the Attorney General in Utah has stated their are 50,000 polygamist families in Utah , and no way could the state even afford to prosecute 10 percent of them .
Don't even know what you would do , in our liberal state you have to steal 6 cars before you go prison . So what do you do , send a Polygamist to a prison where they have rapists , murderers ?
In any case , using Murray's logic being against Polygamy would be a religious right thing too I guess?
I mean its discrimination , so I guess it will qite interesting to see what happens 3o years from now . The most blodd thirsty countries of the 20 century were countried that embraced communism and countries that had no tolerance for religions , either Judaism or Christianity . Murray is the polite politician , just remmebr his supporters are the ones who find it neccessary to come on these blogs.
the difference is that understanding or recognizing, etc is not negative. If you want to celebrate with the pride parade ok, if not that's ok too.
If you want to celebrate Easter or Christmas, etc. ok, if not that's ok too.
The problem is when any group start getting ridiculed, defamed, (insert word here).
If you don't identify with the plumbers union, you don't have to go to the ralley for the plummers union. That doesn't mean you are for it or against it, it doesn't mean they are for it or against your beliefs, they are just different.
When groups start attacking each other neither one is right (or more right).
Good for Philip Irvin for standing up for his moral values in an immoral society. The Bible says that in end times right will be wrong, and wrong will be right. God Bless you.
It seems that the Company puts pressure on its employees to attend the Gay Rights events.
It actively encourages attendance and even says that employees who attend can march as a Company contingent. This is how at works at most Gay-friendly big firms.
This is not neutrality. This is bias in favor of gross sexual behavior.
Mick, what is this polygamy tangent? Doesn't come from the blog entry.
If you want the reasons against civil recognition of polygamy in the US you need look no further than the Supreme Court rulings on the subject. True polygamy isn't practiced in the US outside of the old hippy communes. What people want is polygyny, or one man with multiple wives. In the biblical/middle eastern/mormon traditions that is one man married to many individual wives, the wives are not married to each other.
This is an inequitable relationship - the man has many times more power in his marriage than the wife - she isn't allowed to have multiple husbands. If the man leaves the marriage he is still married, the woman leaves she is unmarried. It is this inherent inequitable relationship and level of power and rights between these citizens that gives a totally legal secular reason for it not being supported by law in the US. (as noted by the SCOTUS over 100 years ago).
As to polygamy itself as you noted people live in polygamous relationships all over - I know a 3rd wife of an Islamic man right here in Washington state. The state really can't stop that since marriage comes from beyond government - it merely licenses a contract in support of marriage (which the first wife and the husband have licensed). Hopefully we can agree the state does not 'make' you married.
"...just remmebr his supporters are the ones who find it neccessary to come on these blogs."
You are saying you are a supporter of Murray? And why would it be surprising in a political blog to find people from both sides of the blog's POV interested in participating?
Phil,
This is the gay pride parade, not a gay rights event.
Participation is totally voluntary - all that was given was for the employees that choose to participate to represent themselves as being from City Light.
What 'gross sexual behavior' are you referring to? The scantily clad girls at the SeaFair parade? The nude bicyclists at the Fremont Solstice Parade? The SeaFair™ Pirates at the Gay Pride parade?
One of the senior bishops of the church of England, the Right Reverend Richard Harries had this comment:
"The Church has got it wrong in the past - there's no doubt about it. For most of Christian history, for instance, it was assumed that Jews had no place in the providence of God. I think you can take the view that, just as the Church eventually abolished slavery, so they ended up in favour of votes for women, so they voted for the ordination of women, and this is just one more issue where the Church has got it wrong," he said.
"My main point as a bishop has been that there is a genuine dilemma here. There are gay and lesbian people. They didn't ask to be born that way and what is the best pastoral provision that the Church can make for people who are gay and lesbian?"
"Gay partnerships are about faithfulness and stability"
Post above: Every religion has heretics. This bishop probably doesn't Jesus was God and the only way to heaven. Look at England the church has lost it's moral authority and moved into the back pages of history.
Only a God fearing, Jesus loving, life affirming, one man/one woman marrying country will survive and prosper. Anything less becomes irrelevant in world civilization.
Back pages of history? That's pretty funny. At least it made me laugh.
The Anglican/Episcopalean (I'm sure I spelled that wrong) in America church is pretty large.
This bishop is just an example of a very large group of ministers who feel that way.
Did you have a date for when Spain, elgium, Netherlands, et. al. will become irrelevant? The European Union is hardly irrelevant as they have come to compete quite well with the US economically.
The vatican has said that Jews can get into heaven and they don't go through Jesus. Do you disagree with that too?
I dont have to agree or disagree with the Vatican. I just have to take Jesus who was God at his word when he says none come to the father except through me. Jesus also said, Whoever believes in me will have ever lasting life. My thoughts on the subject are irrelevant. Jesus said it I believe it.
Sorry, disagree was the wrong word. So you don't believe that Jews will go to heaven.
Any one , Jew , Homosexual , will go to Heaven if they believe just what Christ told them , Why is that so hard to understand , you think people deserve to go to heaven ?
That it is right to think Jesus Christ suffered on the Cross so you could say it was meaningless?
Perhaps to look at it another way , eople who think they have a free rife to heaven are making the decision God makes . Are they not ? I don't know if you are following this , but its as though you are God making decisions about who goes and who does not . Bibical Beliefs teach we are all equal , including the folks who like to demonize Christians , which is hard to swallow for me , but that is true , and I better learn how to swallow it .. But that philospy is behind our Constitution , Bill of Rights , and what is called the Judeo Christian ethic. We are all equal .
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