The following series of editorials were generated in response to a PRO/CON editorial disclosing that the Catawba County Department of Social Services intended to provide young foster children for adoption to same-sex couples.
The following is the "pro" position:

It appeared in the Hickory Daily Record, March 1, 2005.
Here it is in its entirety:

----------------------------------------

by Brandon Greeson

I want to start by asking you: "Do you consider fairness fair?" What does fairness mean to you? It obviously means different things to different people, but one thing remains the same: We all want to be treated fairly equally.

For most lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, fairness is a real issue and equality seems out of touch. This stigma is generated out of fear and misunderstanding of LGBT people from all levels of society. From working-class citizens to high-ranking government officials, fairness for LGBT people is just hard to come by. Consider this:

Religion. Despite untruths spread by many houses of worship, many LGBT people love God. They are spiritual people. Let's take Christ, as an example. He reached out to everyone. In His words, He reached to share His love with whosoever." He condemned religion and its policies and welcomed an intimate relationship with God.

Do you remember?

The same people the Pharisees and Sadducees turned away from the church were the same ones Christ loved, They were with him at his death and resurrection. In today's terms, we would say Christ brought revival to a misinformed church. Christ loves LGBT people. He willfully and wonderfully made them, as his other children in his image.

Love for country. LGBT people love their country, and they contribute positively to their communities. They serve silently in the armed forces putting their lives on the line for their country. The stigma some give that LGBT people are a danger to families, marriage and society is just not true! You will find LGBT people in government, medical and human services fields, courtrooms professional capacities and other. LGBT people are proud Americans!

Family & Medicine. In 1986, the American MedicalAssociation removed "homosexuality" as a mental disorder. The American Psychological Association and the National Mental Health Association, along with other national associations, have echoed this decision. Unfortunately, society is not so progressive. Many LGBT people are forced to live shadowed lives, in the hopes of societal acceptance.

For those who choose to be "out," they are faced with a daffy reminder of how much hatred can control the heart. The largest group of folks committing suicide is in the LGBT community. Despite these struggles, LGBT people continue to press forward to live as examples of love and faith to their communities.

Scientific research is continuing to lean toward proving the fact that sexual orientation is genetic. Since sexual orientation is not chosen, the chance of a parent making a child "gay" does not exist. Studies show that LGBT parents raise children just as healthy as heterosexual parents. In fact, children raised by LGBT parents show a higher rate of college graduation, community involvement and willingness to embrace diversity.

Slowly, government agencies are learning the fact that same-sex parents raise healthy children. We see that as a result of extensive research and studies by some of the nation's leading scientists and researchers. We see the impact these studies can have, through the recent decision by Catawba County Department of Social Services. Allowing LGBT parents to participate in foster care programs is a step in the right direction.

It shows government's willingness to serve all of its citizens--not special interests these struggles, or opinions.

Society condemns what it does not understand, It does not understand; because it does not take the time to listen and learn from the LGBT community. I urge you to join with me to see change.

By embracing common interests and working together to understand difference, we can bring unity and understanding to our community

BRANDON GREESON is co-founder and executive director of The Oasis Project in Hickory.

----------------------------------------

The following editorial appeared, in part, in the Hickory Daily Record, [May 3, 2005, page A3]. It was entitled: "Perverted, sinful lifestyles given fresh crop of recruits." The text appearing in dark green was edited out due to space requirements. --DSH)

-----------------------------------

Perverted, sinful lifestyles given fresh crop of recruits.

Dear Editor,

We once thought that the care of foster children by homosexual couples was a deviate product of big city liberals and their tolerance of perverted life styles. No longer is that the exception!

The Catawba County Department of Social Services is now providing the opportunity for these perverted people, who mask themselves as a family, to recruit and indoctrinate the more vulnerable among us; the dear foster children who deserve so much more.

No longer will these pedophiles have to resort to abducting children for their sick pleasures. The county is about to give these poor unfortunate children over to a perverted world. What is even worse, these hapless children will be freely available to potentially the worst of the deviates, courtesy of the county.

Perhaps some folks have confused tolerance of the legitimate rights of homosexuals with acceptance of their sad life style. Nothing could be farther from the truth. There is certainly nothing gay about being a pervert. They may have certain legal rights but their behavior is certainly not normal. It is sick and morally depraved.

For too long have we come to believe that the Emperor wore beautiful clothes. In truth, the Emperor was naked and politically correct society tries to convince us that homosexual behavior is nothing more that a life style choice. Since homosexuals are not able to reproduce among one another, they must continually recruit their victims in order to replenish their ranks. What more innocent and susceptible victim could they find than a child, one whom they can mold to accept and practice their aberrant behavior.

To even imagine that homosexuals are born with this wicked perversion is to call God a liar. His word has much to say about those who choose to practice this unnatural and immoral desire. He destroyed Sodom for their depraved practices. In the theocracy of the Old Testament, homosexuals were executed. In the New Testament, they were thoroughly condemned. In the tolerant world of 2005, they often stage their "in-your-face", so-called "Gay Pride" parades and marches in an attempt to desensitize people to their deviant practices and make it appear more "main-stream."

Some argue that Christ never directly condemned homosexuals. He never said anything about drunk drivers or car-jackers either. The word of God clearly describes in plain, understandable language which sins were an abomination to Him. Homosexuality was but one of many.

The shameless abuse of young men by Catholic priests has sadly diminished the respect many folks have for the church. Those who have been placed in a position of trust over "…the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." So said Jesus.

Lest it be said that I don't know what I'm talking about, I was once an abuse victim [--in the Navy.] After nearly fifty years, this should have been but a fading memory…but it isn't. My wife was the first person I ever revealed this to. This is also the very first time I have ever revealed it publicly.

While a young man in the Navy, I was abused by my company commander. When I suggested that I would report it, I was immediately transferred to another base. And this was back before the "Don't ask-Don't tell" policy, when being a homosexual was a serious court martial offense.

I truly believe the philosophy of "hate the sin, love the sinner" applies. Regardless, there is absolutely NOTHING positive that can said for the practice of homosexuality. It us a sinful and disgusting act but it is still one that God can forgive.

The issue of homosexual couples adopting or caring for innocent children is an openly detestable and destructive force in our society. Many of us recognize that our society ethic is rapidly deteriorating. Our tax dollars should NEVER be used to enable homosexual couples to care for any child. We should never support the thirst of homosexuals to acquire fresh recruits. Nor do we need people in the public trust who further the goals of these detestable human beings.

I am totally disgusted by the recent decision by our Catawba County Director of Social Services. This person-of-trust has chosen to reward possible perverts with a fresh crop of new recruits. Shame on you, Bobby Boyd!

If readers wonder why this could or should occur in our county, they can call [him] Bobby at (828)-465-56501 for answers.

Derick S. Hartshorn
Conover, NC

----------------------------------------

The following is a response in the Hickory Daily Record, May 8, 2005
by the original proponent of foster adoption by same-sex couples.
(see May 1, 2005 editorial page):

----------------------------------------

Small-Minded People Should Open Their Eyes

I am a gay white male, 35 years old. I live in the great city of Hickory by choice. I moved here about five years ago. I would just like to give a little of myself and my so-called perverted friends and family's thoughts.

I was reading the newspaper Tuesday morning and was shocked to read the small article that Derick Hartshorn wrote. I think for someone who is a so-called straight man, he sure thinks he knows a lot about the gay community. He states that children have no chance of being happy if they are put in a home with a gay couple. Children would not have to be placed for adoption if the straight surroundings they are in were safe, healthy and happy ones.

The only thing I think Derick was correct about is, as same-sex couples, we cannot have kids. If he would just open more papers and watch more news, he would see perverts, pedophiles and sex offenders are straight white males who go after children. You never hear in the news that another gay man kidnapped a child.

But he seems to think that we as gay people do nothing but think about sex. We are just brave enough to say it out loud not like the so-called married men hiding in book stores and on line looking for the next best thing.

I go to work every day and work 55 hours per week. I have my own place, two new cars and a bank account. What makes me so different?

Derick tells us that his taxes should not be spent for this, What about my taxes and every other gay person's taxes. Why should I pay for your Medicaid, your SSI, your food stamps or your way of life if you cant accept mine? Why should I have to accept yours?

We are not asking you to like us or to be a friend. We are not asking for more than you.

We are never going to be one nation under God if small-minded people don't wake up and open their eyes.

I would like to say thanks for all the positive remarks I have seen. More and more people are seeing good will. Never hate it's an ugly thing.

Carl Moore
Hickory

----------------------------------------

The following is my response to the writer of the 5-8-05 editorial.
It was published on 5-11-05

Dear Editor,

I was editorially confronted by a self-proclaimed homosexual in a recent HDR editorial letter [Sun, May 8, 2005, pg. A4]. I was accused by him of being "narrow minded" because I didn't approve of his lifestyle.

This individual claimed have been "shocked" by my account of God's Word. Shockingly, if this person had lived during Old Testament times, he would have been stoned to death for his social practices. If he lived during New Testament times, he would have been publicly condemned and ostracized from society.

It was the grace of God that determined that this man would live in the 20th and 21st century, in the good old USA, during an age where morals and families values were fast being eroded. It was God who decided that his life and lifestyle would be during a time without legal interference. God also allowed some morally bankrupt cities and states to proclaim non-traditional marriages to be legal. The Bible describes this societal aberration to be a sign of the times of the end. They also existed just before the Flood. Perhaps God, by some miracle, has given this man a chance to come to Christ in repentance.

Speaking directly to the writer, I am really and truly not narrow minded. I don't write this letter to demean you or to beat you up, editorially. The fact is, I truly feel concern. You know what you do is wrong, both in the eyes of human society and in the eyes of God. All sin, including a homosexual lifestyle, is an abomination to God. The difference is forgiveness. In the eyes of God, the distance between active sin and forgiven sin is farther than "east is from west." The only other option is eternal separation from God.

I didn't write this letter to make ad hominum attacks against you or any individual. I don't hate homosexuals--hate is of the devil. All Christians will pray that you choose the right.

Derick S. Hartshorn
Conover, NC

----------------------------------------

The following is a response to my original HDR editorial of 2 May 2005.
It came from an individual who could not be located in any
Greater Catawba County phone book or through Google.
The name "MORHUNT" could not be located through conventional means.

The letter appeared in the Hickory Daily Record, May 11, 2005

Record should draw line on judgmental disrespect

I am offended that the Hickory Record even thought about printing Mr. Hartshorn's ridiculous opinion (May 3) in which he refers to homosexuals as perverts and child molesters. I believe if African-Americans or even Christians had been used instead that it would have been printed.

I understand the purpose of the Opinion section is to allow readers to voice their personal views, but there has to be a line drawn to the amount of judgmental disrespect you allow.

There is a difference between opinions and harmful accusations. I think an apology is in order.

Melissa Morhunt
Hickory

----------------------------------------

The following is my response to the above.

It appeared in the Hickory Daily Record on 16 May 2005