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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 19, 2004

CONTACT: Diane Gramley 1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355

YORK COUNTY POISED TO MAKE FRAUDULENT CIVIL RIGHTS DECISION

(Harrisburg) -- Today a statewide traditional values organization faxed a statement to the York County Commissioners urging them not to expand the authority of the York City Human Relations Commission (HRC) because of the undue tax burden on the citizens of the county. For over a year the Erie County Executive has been attempting to dismantle their HRC because of the $50,000 burden the county HRC puts on the budget.

http://www.yorkdispatch.com/Stories/0,1413,138~10021~2156104,00.html

In addition the commissioners were encouraged not to add 'sexual orientation" to the county's non-discrimination ordinance which would be part of the overall plan to expand the authority of the HRC.

"The expansion of York City HRC to have jurisdiction over the entire county would be a costly move on the part of the Commissioners. Additionally adding 'sexual orientation' to their human relations ordinance gives special rights to a group of people simply because of the sexual practices in which they engage. This would not be a step forward for the county, but a step backwards," declared Diane Gramley, president of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA).

This expansion was one of the recommendations in a report issued by York Counts recently. York Counts mission statement includes the need for a community made up of people committed to healthy lifestyles and a safer setting for family and community life.

http://www.yorklibraries.org/YorkCounts/mission.htm

"Apparently York Counts does not recognize the inherent dangers of adding 'sexual orientation' to the county's HRC ordinance. There are 36 known sexual orientations from bestiality to pedophilia. In addition, those who engage in homosexual practices are more likely to be exposed to HIV/AIDS and other STDs, substance abuse, eating and psychological disorders and one in five males are victims of domestic violence. To encourage this lifestyle through the addition of 'sexual orientation' to the county's HRC ordinance would not help make up a community of people committed to a healthy lifestyle," Gramley continued.

The following sources were documented:

* The Journal of the American Medical Association reports that "people with same-sex 
sexual behavior are at greater risk for psychiatric disorders" - including bipolar, 
obsessive-compulsive, and anxiety disorders, major depression, and substance abuse.

http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/58/1/85

* A Detroit homosexual newsmagazine columnist recently wrote regarding his partner: 
"This is his first relationship, so he has not yet been ruined by all the heartache, lies, 
deceit, and game-playing that are the hallmark of gay relationships...A study I once 
read suggested that nine out of 10 gay men cheat on their lovers."

http://www.pridesource.com/cgi-bin/article?article=3839978

* The Center for Disease Control warns that men who have sex with men "have large 
numbers of anonymous partners, which can result in rapid, extensive transmission of 
sexually transmitted diseases."

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4835a1.htm

When 'sexual orientation' is added to any ordinance or policy, organizations such as the Boy Scouts and the Salvation Army are put at risk because of their policies concerning those who engage in homosexual behavior. AFA of PA's warning to municipalities concerning the Boy Scouts was confirmed in January by Stephen Glassman, chairman of the PA Human Relations Commission.

"Homosexuals already have equal protection under the law. They are not being asked to sit at the back of the bus and there are no 'gay only' water fountains in York County. This is not a civil rights issue, but a matter of common sense. Do the York County Commissioners or York Counts want to validate a lifestyle that, according to the Oxford University International Journal of Epidemiology, shortens a man's life by up to 20 years? Do the Commissioners want to take away the rights of the Boy Scouts and Salvation Army? AFA of PA believes that the majority of citizens in York County do not want special protection given to those who engage in homosexual behavior," predicted Gramley.

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