There’s a marvelous community in northwest Arkansas, nestled in the rolling mountains (such as they are), called Eureka Springs. It’s filled with wonderful old hotels, great places to eat, local crafts and great people. We go up there for a special weekend as often as we can; our son and his wife picked Eureka Springs for their wedding. That’s why it really gets under my skin that some are using Eureka Springs as an example of something they consider “bad” – homosexuals managing to get themselves elected to the city council. Gasp! Have we every felt uncomfortable during our visits? Has anyone been anything but friendly to us? Nope on both counts. That’s why this campaign is so upsetting to many.
Right-Wing Video Warns ‘Gay Activists’ Are Plotting To ‘Take Over The Cities Of America’
Recently, Oklahoma State Rep. Sally Kern (R) came under intense criticism for making a host of incendiary remarks toward gays. For example, she said gays are a “bigger threat” to our nation than terrorism. She also warned, “Gays are infiltrating city councils.” As an example, she cited the town of Eureka Springs, AR, whose [...]
1 response so far ↓
Michael // April 16, 2008 at 7:13 am |
Believe me, those of us who call Eureka Springs home are no less irritated than you. The voters here do not make it a habit to check the sexual orientation of city council candidates, but the city council has NOT been “taken over” by gay folk. If it it had been, gays still have a right to run for public office and the electorate still has a right to vote for them. Still, as far as anyone knows, the city council is dominated by non-gay council persons.
What has the American Family Association and Ok. State Rep. Sally Kern upset is that Eureka Springs has a Domestic Partnership Registry (for both straight and gay couples who cannot or choose not to marry) and three Diversity Weekends a year that attract thousands of straight and gay visitors.
This is a progressive, enlightened and inclusive community. It’s our diversity–gay, straight, young, old, conservative, liberal, tree-hugger and developer and artist and hippie–that makes our town so interesting and appealing to visitors.
Eureka Springs is a cross between Northern Exposure and Green Acres–a place full of colorful characters and eccentrics, most of whom get along just fine, thank you very much.
Unfortunately, all of this does not sit well with some fundamentalist extremists who are concerned that not everybody sees the world as they do. Luckily, their efforts to slime the town as a hotbed of sin and corruption are having the opposite effect they hoped for. It is attracting additional visitors who want to experience a feisty little resort town where tolerance and acceptance are widely practiced on the daily basis and where you are not judged by your religion, your politics or your sexual orientation. The narrow minded bigots are, happily, staying away in droves.
And all of that makes for one of the most appealing vacation destinations in the Mid-South region of the country. We’re glad you like it here. Y’all come back. And bring your families and friends.