The Reverend Joe Venable, an At-Large candidate for the Greensboro City Council, sent me a letter in the past few days. Now that I have regular access to the internet at my new apartment, I’ve finally been able to get around to posting not only this information but other recent received questionnaire responses from other candidates, as well (see Greensboro LGBT Vote 2007 for more).
Rev. Venable’s letter notes that he feels it is in his best interest if he does not respond to my LGBT Issues Questionnaire. Although I do disagree with Rev. Venable regarding his views of sexual orientation, I do immensely respect the way in which he chose to respond, being respectful, honest, compassionate and straight-forward. This is definitely what I look for in a leader, even if I do disagree with him on one or two points.
His letter to me:
Rev. Joe Venable
1419 Rock Spring Street
Greensboro, NC 27405Dear Matt,
After studying your questionnaire long and hard, I have decided that answering your questions would not reveal my feelings in a positive manner. Therefore, I feel the best way to answer you is with the following statement:
Though I believe homosexuality is morally wrong, homosexuality is not my fight. I am concerned with people who are homeless, hungry and without proper medical care, including those who have problems with prescriptions being filled.
If you fall into one of these categories, LGBT or not, you become part of my fight. I don’t like discrimination in any form, but I prefer (sic) not to champion the cause for gay rights.
Thank you for contacting me.
Shalom,
Joe Venable
I think the point I disagree with most in his letter is his belief that homosexuality is “morally wrong.” I think I could have some good dialogue with him on that point. Although we both could walk away from that (and most likely would walk away from it) holding the same views as before, it would still be a chance for both of us to understand either side just a bit better.
I do appreciate his words regarding equal treatment (I guess, as equal as he could be considering he thinks I really am not worthy of all equal rights) for LGBT people. Venable says, “I am concerned with people who are homeless, hungry and without proper medical care, including those who have problems with prescriptions being filled. If you fall into one of these categories, LGBT or not, you become part of my fight. I don’t like discrimination in any form, but I prefer (sic) not to champion the cause for gay rights.”
I appreciate that. I also disagree with him, but I do appreciate his letter.
It is too bad he couldn’t answer the questions though. This is just one less candidate for which citizens will have some accurate information on the issues.
We do have one bit of information for Rev. Venable, however. He answered conservative blogger Joe Guarino’s questionnaire. In response to the question on support for same-sex domestic partner benefits, Rev. Venable said he was not in favor.
