More McHenry County Blog

The grounds claimed would undoubtedly be the new law that passed only with the support of then Republican Crystal Lake State Representative Rosemary Kurtz (the woman who beat me in the 2000 primary). It prohibits discrimination against people because of their sexual orientation. The district attorney read the law, in its entirety, shortly before the vote.

Leaving aside for now the arguments made by those in the audience, here’s what I caught of the comments by the commissioners.

Phelps, who voted, “No,” made it clear that he was not related to the minister of the same name who pickets military funerals saying hateful things about homosexuals, said

I don’t think the Crystal Lake Park District should be a vehicle for the promotion of their agenda. If you want equal access, then stop making your sexual preference relevant.

Following Phelps, Gay Games supporter Reedy observed,

I think this a nice opportunity to further show showcase out lake and the rowing club.

Commenting on the crowd, Zellman added, “We’re kind of lonely a lot.”

He pointed out that the park district does host national and international events like the teen baseball tournament CABA.

“It’s (CABA) not a political event in any way.” Continuing, the second commissioner to vote “Yes,” said,

My main concern is that this is not being promoted as much as an athletic event than as a political event.

I do have concerns about public decency concerns. I expect this event will be very colorful and I’m hopeful, if this does take place, that these people will be extremely respectful of our community.

Breeden, who was chairing the meeting in the absence of Jerry Sullivan, said he was hoping that the discussion would have been about whether the lake was suitable for such a rowing event. He wished they could

ask to have an event, rather than pushing a social agenda.

I find that it’s come down to life style. I just have a very difficult time with the way we were all approached or this event.

The way I found out was in the newspaper. (I learned) that I was a bigot. (Breeden had opened the night’s discussion of the issue expressing his resentment for having been branded a bigot. He said that anyone who knew him and his family would not say that.)

At this point the attorney read the new law, which took effect January 1st.

He seemed to be cautioning that the board’s decision should not come “down to a determination as to whether this is a to be made on the basis of whether it is the gay Olympics or not.”

Phelps immediately explained that his objection was otherwise based (I didn’t catch his words), to which Reedy interjected,

What the difference?

Phelps replied,

That’s a little bit of difference than sexual preference.

Pointing to July 4th and the two weekends of the Gala, Breeden explained, “I have five weekends a year when I can’t leave my house,” which has an “impact on my lifestyle.”

We live here because we enjoy the lake. You’re asking me and my neighbors to give up a weekend. My neighbors and not very happy about that.

The attorney again cautioned,

If the decision is based on sexual orientation, it’s against the law.

Phelps added,

I don’t think anyone objects to having rowing...but we haven’t been talking about rowing tonight.

The parent wearing a PFLAG (Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays) button, who drove all the way from Plainfield, concluded the public participation by saying that if the games were rejected,

It’s because of the gay issue…You can make up all the reasons you want, but the majority of the people here are speaking against gay people.