If You Feel that Strongly, Just Say So

Editor:

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 is a landmark civil rights law that outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin. It prohibits unequal application of voter registration requirements, segregation in schools and public accommodations, and employment discrimination. The act “remains one of the most significant legislative achievements in American history”. The “public accommodations” part of this act is generally defined as “facilities, whether publicly or privately owned, that are used by the public at large. Examples include retail stores, rental establishments and service establishments.” It seems pretty clear that if you operate a business in this country, you cannot discriminate against different types of customers. If your customer is Hindu or Muslim or Christian and you are not, it is illegal to refuse to sell them your product. If they are a different color than you, or a different gender than you are, you cannot refuse them service. But if the customer is a member of the LGBTQ community, then all that “civil rights” stuff goes right out the door. Despite what last week’s letter writer rattled on about, I am not asking Foxworthy Floral for a super gay inscription or statement or endorsement, or anything of the sort. I asked them if they would sell their product to gay couples. Period. Will they provide flowers to a gay couple for Valentine’s Day? Will they provide a bouquet to a gay couple celebrating an anniversary? Will they provide the floral arrangements for a gay couple getting married? For all I know, the answer to those questions could be yes. But I don’t know their answer, because they refuse to respond. You would think that a business owner would want to respond, and let their customers know where they stand. If they feel that strongly about not selling their product to gay folks, just say so. Otherwise it appears they are afraid to explain publicly WHY they think the Civil Rights of 1964 applies to some Americans, but not all Americans. The late civil rights icon Congressman John Lewis said it best: “... We are a society committed to equal justice under the law. ... We have fought too hard and too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

–Billy Bradford, Castro Valley