Thursday, Dec 9, 2004    Text size: 

The intent to mail gay porn was reportedly the work of a man named Dr. Frank Simon of the AFA urging voters to reject an ordinance that would prohibit discrimination in employment and housing against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals.

The letter Simon sent graphically described sex between same-sex partners and condemned Catholic priests involved in pedophilic activities, claiming that sexual orientation is a choice and therefore should not be given special rights.

Simon claims that homosexuality is wrong and so is the ordinance. He used the letter as a ploy to get voters to ask their city council members to vote against the ordinance.

The fairness ordinance was first approved in 1999 and has now been amended to further protect the rights of gays and lesbians.

But rather than stir up support, the AFA mailer caused an uproar among recipients as well as the Louisville Metro Council, which was flooded with phone calls, calling the AFA's effort to campaign against the ordinance a form of "bigotry."

One supporter of the ordinance said the mailer should never have been allowed to happen.

"I am here to tell you that bigotry cloaked in Christianity does not work," she said.

However, the councilman sponsoring the ordinance, Doug Hawkins, defended AFA's effort to help people clearly define homosexuality.

The Metro Council is expected to render its vote this week, either approving of the fairness ordinance or rejecting it. A referendum would first have to be approved by lawmakers in Frankfort, Ky.