Utah Councilman: “I Should Be Able To Discriminate If I Want To”
Posted By Eric Ethington (Author) on September 3, 2010
Sleazemouth of the Week
Holladay, UT – The Holladay City Council has begun deliberating on whether to copy Salt Lake City and adopt non-discrimination ordinances to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation and/or gender identity. But councilman Barry Topham says that the law would hurt him because he WANTS to discriminate. Welcome to Holladay.
Barry Topham is a walking definition of hypocrisy, in one breath he shows his naivete by claiming “We have so many problems in this city,” said Topham, adding that discrimination against the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community is not one of them. “I don’t know why we’re discussing this.” And without even thinking or considering his bigotry, he adds “I think you should be able to discriminate if you don’t want a cross-dresser living in your house,.”
If you live in Holladay FIGHT BACK NOW! This kind of bigotry cannot go un-marked. LGBT Activist Jim Dabakis has already written Councilman Topham (copy of his letter below). Go write him yourself at the info below!
E. Barry Topham– District 4
2520 Haven Ln
Holladay UT 84117
801-277-1183
ebarrytopham@cityofholladay.com
or the Mayor
Dennis R. Webb
4580 S 2300 E
dwebb@cityofholladay.com
Quotes courtesy of the SLTrib.
"Eric, trying to have this (civil rights) conversation with you is ultimately like trying to teach a pig to dance, it just annoys the pig. So Eric, sorry to annoy you."
-Paul Mero, The Sutherland Institute.
done: http://bit.ly/911GCQ
What an asshole. Here’s the letter I wrote to him:
http://informedinsight.wordpress.com/2010/09/04/letter-to-holladay-city-councilman-e-barry-topham/
(long URL, much? too lazy for tinyurl)
Eric, thanks for posting this. Topham actually ran for mayor against Webb in 2009, and lost by an incredible margin, so I don’t think his opinions reflect those of most people in Holladay, fortunately. I think this ordinance will make it through with enough public support. I’ll write a letter when I’m not using my phone.
Dear Councilman Topham,
Perhaps you’re right. Perhaps I SHOULD be able to discriminate against people who are not like me, believe in ways contrary to my beliefs, and have a lifestyle I cannot agree with or tolerate.
I am a new landlady. I hereby declare my disdain and distaste for the Mormon Lifestyle and those who insist on forcing their lifestyle on me by walking hand in hand with scriptures and looking down their nose at anyone who does not cow-tow to their chosen Lifestyle.
I hereby claim the right to discriminate against heterosexual white Mormons and refuse to let them rent from me or work for me.
That’s reasonable, right? You said it was ok, right?
Brother, when thou hast removed the beam from thine own eye, thou canst then look at the mote in mine. That’s a very dangerous precedent you want to set.
(For those who do not understand irony or sarcasm, I do not endorse discriminating against anyone. I honour those who walk the Mormon path in a good way. I honour all who respect diversity and walk their paths in a good way.)
Sincerely,
Dominique Storni
[...] UT – City Councilman Barry Topham is at it again. Following up on his comments last month when he told residents of Holladay that he didn’t want housing and workplace protections for [...]