Liberals seem to only focus on protecting the rights of individuals engaged in behaviors that align with their progressive ideology.

 

One timely example would be the promotion of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) lifestyle in America.

 

What seemingly began as a “simple pursuit” of acceptance has now expanded into a large segment of society boldly embracing their choice of an alternative lifestyle.

And I believe it is indeed their right to pursue their constitutional rights.

 

But not if it infringes upon mine.

 

In fact, no segment of society should have to sacrifice their rights so others can exercise theirs. One could easily call that “reverse discrimination.”

 

For many of us, gender identity wasn’t something we ever envisioned questioning. We simply accepted our physical characteristics as God’s will in our lives. However, through the years, progressives have encouraged parents to promote “healthy gender development” and allow their child’s gender identity to “evolve” as they grow older.

 

This gender “ambiguity,” while fully within a parent’s rights, has been an enabler to some ultimately choosing this lifestyle.

 

Through the years, we’ve seen the LGBT movement expand into nearly every segment of society – from scouting to sports teams. LGBT communities and organizations now thrive all around us.

 

And I have no reservation in stating that I believe they are deserving of respect and should be treated no differently than anyone else – period.

 

But they are in no way deserving of special treatment that infringes upon my rights. And that has nothing to do with discrimination.

 

Too often the LGBT community is portrayed as victims of hatred and persecution deserving of special protection and accommodation beyond existing laws on the books.

 

According to an October 2015 column in The New York Times by Richard Perez-Pena, California has become the first state with a policy of providing sex reassignment surgery for some prison inmates. And as advocates for the process move forward, it’s only a matter of time before your tax dollars will do the same in your state.

 

In 2015, Huntington Mayor Steve Williams formed the LGBT Advisory Committee to help advance the discussion about equality and justice for the LGBT community in our area. While the mayor’s intentions may be honorable, I believe it’s a mistake to expose our city to the same array of unintended consequences other cities now face.

 

Now, I have a few questions regarding my rights in this gender identity quandary.

 

“Which public restroom will they be allowed to use?” Will it be based on an individual’s “gender choice” or their biological persuasion?

Suppose a 30 year-old male chooses to put on a dress and walk into the same women’s restroom your 14-year-old daughter just entered.

 

Are we to assume this individual’s intentions are harmless?

 

How will law enforcement be forced to react if a citizen acts in such a situation?

 

We’ve allowed liberals to advance “political correctness” to mean some rights are more deserving of protection than others!

 

Not so!

 

Individuals outside the LGBT community also have rights which need to be protected.

 

Mark Caserta is a conservative blogger, a Cabell County resident and a regular contributor to The Herald-Dispatch editorial page.