Tulsa World: Judge blasts proposed judicial code changes

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Judge blasts proposed judicial code changes
He says they promote a "homosexual agenda."

CRITIC
District judge Bill Graves: He says the proposal aims "to have homosexuality treated as normal and natural as heterosexuality" and that "Studies have shown that is detrimental to children."

By AP Wire Services
Published: 6/5/2008 2:08 AM
Last Modified: 6/5/2008 3:19 AM

He says they promote a "homosexual agenda."

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A judge says new anti-discrimination language proposed for the state's Code of Judicial Conduct is not proper and serves to promote a "homosexual agenda."

District Judge Bill Graves wrote a letter to an Oklahoma Bar Association committee criticizing the suggested changes in the code. These changes are along the lines of wording in the American Bar Association code.

"These policies are not based on laws enacted by Congress or the State Legislature, but on proposals of the liberal, pro-homosexual American Bar Association," Graves said.

He specifically objects to a proposed rule prohibiting judges from holding membership in organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, age, sex, gender, religion, national origin, ethnicity or sexual orientation."

Graves said the proposal promotes a "homosexual agenda which is to have homosexuality treated as normal and natural as heterosexuality. These are cultural, moral and political issues that should be reserved to the Legislative branch."

He also said the new proposal could forbid judges from refusing to award children in custody and adoption cases because a person is homosexual.

"Studies have shown that is detrimental to children," he wrote.

Arizona attorney Mark Harrison who headed the American Bar Association committee that came up with the model code of conduct, denied Graves' suggestion that the group is trying to advance

an agenda.

He said the anti-discrimination provision won unanimous support from a diverse group of judges, lawyers and academics.

Graves spent 24 years as a state lawmaker before being elected to the bench in November 2006.

The national lawyers group provided the model for Oklahoma's revised code of conduct for judges, said John Morris Williams, executive director of the Oklahoma Bar Association.

"Certainly, it's not the finished product," Williams said. "It could change dramatically."

Any changes to Oklahoma's conduct rules for judges must be approved by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, which passed the original code of conduct in 1974.

Williams acknowledged that the proposal has drawn some complaints, with some critics invited to testify before the committee.

Attorney Kevin Calvey, a former state representative, said he spoke to the committee in April about what he termed a First Amendment issue.

He called the new anti-discrimination measure "by far the worst public policy proposal I've ever seen."

The proposal could be interpreted to include groups such as the Boy Scouts, American Legion or Knights of Columbus, Calvey said.

Such a rule might dissuade qualified candidates from becoming judges or cause them to avoid certain groups. By AP Wire Services

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	Report Comment oldrustytulsa, (6/5/2008 6:34:58 AM) There you go, attorneys, and state legislators, dictating social, issues., Now thats a mess.
	Report Comment John BA, (6/5/2008 11:00:14 AM) Sounds like Graves has something to hide.
	Report Comment Stonewall, (6/5/2008 12:18:42 PM) good job judge. these activists stop at nothing...
	Report Comment Mr. Brown, (6/5/2008 12:23:46 PM) So a judge shouldn't be able to volunteer as a camp leader for the boy scouts? Get real!! I wonder how many non-hetero judges we have hearing such cases and not recusing themselves due to the conflict of interest? Why aren't these measures seen as unconstitutional PRIOR to the vote? This process is wrong, regardless of the issue. Judges don't make law. They enforce what's on the books.
	Report Comment Stonewall, (6/5/2008 12:33:41 PM) What hypocrites, gays want to do whatever they want, but want laws to prohibit Judges from belonging to whatever group they wish to. Equal rights my foot!!!
	Report Comment Mr. Brown, (6/5/2008 12:47:54 PM) Does this mean that judges won't be able to associate with any church groups that don't condone same sex relationships, like the Catholics? They need to put that bill in the trash.
	Report Comment Stonewall, (6/5/2008 1:14:59 PM) Have you noticed the TW won't allow the "H" word to be posted due to being inappropriate?? Gays don't like that word, it's all part of the agenda that the TW seems to be part of.
	Report Comment Mr. Brown, (6/5/2008 4:06:34 PM) As matter of fact, I did notice. I thought the "H" word, being a scientific term, to be more appropriate than gay. Oh, well. I guess we all answer to someone.
	Report Comment The Patriot, (6/6/2008 2:21:24 PM) Just another reason not to respect the Oklahoma Judiciary. Let them know how you feel by voting not to retain them at the next election.

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