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THE ART OF DEFUNDING continued... Equal Protection The assertion that the
Esperanza Center was the only organization taken out of this process constitutes
that basis for possible legal action, according to Amy Kastely, law professor
and Esperanza board member. When the Esperanza Center was subjected to an
entirely different process, its right to equal protection was violated,
she believes. Kastely also cites possible
violation of free-speech rights, as protected by the First Amendment. "It
seems clear that the reason for our defunding was because of the content
of our programming. That is unconstitutional," she believes.Future Visions Beneath the legal language,
beneath all the charges and counter-charges, it appears a collision is occurring
-- a clash of viewpoints, of beliefs, of visions for the future of our city
and our society. "I'm glad that San Antonio
is not the city that made the mark and said, 'We support the gay-and-lesbian
lifestyle with tax money...'" says Charles Flowers, associate pastor of
Faith Outreach and an Esperanza-funding opponent. "I don't think it's an
issue of money. I think it's an issue of whether or not the agenda for the
gay and lesbian lifestyle is being accepted in this city.""I think there's an opportunity
in this dispute for San Antonio to embrace our many differences," says Esperanza
board member Kastely. "Esperanza offers a unique service that is essential
to a community as diverse as ours. Our work is rooted in many different
communities: lesbians and gays, working people, communities of the poor,
people of color. The Esperanza Center offers so much to this city and this
crisis offers an opportunity for all of us to learn from and value our diversity."The collision of viewpoints
and visions now occurring is sure to shape our future and that of our children.
What that future will be is not yet written.------- For information about reprints, contact Diane Monroe at dart51@aol.com ------- Part one: Opening Night Part two: Over the Line Part three: "We're just His instruments" Part four: Is it homophobia? Part five: A National Trend Part six: Equal Protecton |
Esperanza
Peace & Justice Center
922 San Pedro
San
Antonio Texas 78212
210-228-0201, Fax 210-228-0000
esperanza@esperanzacenter.org
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