# No, fuckhead, it is, too, discrimination because it has a DISPARATE IMPACT! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 20, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152 "2004-02-20T04:04:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![schplebordnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@schplebordnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schplebordnik)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/21 "2004-02-20T06:15:14Z")
> [@yosemitebabe](#): > > Yes, because you had sex with her, and sex can lead to pregnancy. She cannot become pregnant without your sperm. Therefore, it would make far more sense for you to simply not have sex with her in the first place (if you didn’t want to be responsible for her child). > > Having sex and _then_ hoping that she’ll go along with you bailing out of your responsibilities for the child (if there is a child) doesn’t make any sense at all. It sounds very foolish. Exactly. That’s what I call “disparate impact” based upon gender. After guy has sex, he loses ability to choose whether he wants financial responsibility for the kid; after gal has sex, she retains the right. Disparate impact happens all the time in the law. Plus it ain’t the law anyway that disparate impact is per se illegal or unconstitutional. So it doesn’t constitute much of an argument for gay marriage. ---
**Author:** ![yosemite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/3ab097/32.png) [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 6:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/22 "2004-02-20T06:24:41Z")
> [@schplebordnik](#): > > Exactly. That’s what I call “disparate impact” based upon gender. After guy has sex, he loses ability to choose whether he wants financial responsibility for the kid; after gal has sex, she retains the right. She also has the body parts that _force_ her to make a choice that he’ll never have to make. Nature is “disparate” in that way too. So, allowing her a choice that he doesn’t get (because nature doesn’t _force_ him to make that choice) doesn’t seem so out of line. Unless, of course, you’re one of those guys who wants to have it all his way—wants to enjoy all the goodies but not have to deal with any of the downsides. (I’m not saying you are, though, and it doesn’t appear that that was your point.) ---
**Author:** ![schplebordnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@schplebordnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schplebordnik)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 6:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/23 "2004-02-20T06:28:19Z")
> [@yosemitebabe](#): > > Nature is “disparate” in that way too. Yeah, well one of the arguments trundled out against gay marriage has to do with nature as well. So again, life is disparate, the law is disparate, nature is disparate. It just ain’t a good argument in support of gay marriage. ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/24 "2004-02-20T06:31:16Z")
> [@schplebordnik](#): > > How about RU486 or the morning after pill? > If I, as a man, say to you, as a woman (assuming you are one given your name and the question), post-coitus: “Please take this morning after pill which I am happy to provide, as I do not wish to be a father. If you refuse, I am absolved of my responsibility for child support.” > > Work for you? Nope - both RU 486 and the morning after pill have effects on the woman’s body. [Potential side effects of RU 486](http://www.earlyoptions.org/online_cme/m2expected2.asp) [Potential side effects of the morning after pill](http://www.accessmednet.com/prescription-drug-information/emergency-contraception.html#side-effects) End the pregnancy in a way that has NO effect on the woman’s body, and I’ll grant you the right to force her to abort so you don’t have to support an unwanted child. But if there’s ANY risk to her body, she gets to be the one who makes the decision about what to do - because she’s the one who’s most intimately affected by the decision. She gets the choice because she (and only she) bears the physical risks. > [@schplebordnik](#): > > And what about my financial autonomy? Physical autonomy outranks financial autonomy. A person’s body is rightly afforded more protection under the law than a person’s wallet. ---
**Author:** ![emarkp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3be4f8/32.png) [@emarkp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/emarkp)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/25 "2004-02-20T06:37:25Z")
> [@nisosbar](#): > > A homosexual has as much right to marry an opposite gender individual as a heterosexual does. You may be missing the point of saying this. There is an ongoing national debate about the issue. Yet many in the pro-gay-marriage camp say that “obviously” not allowing gay marriage is a violation of state or federal equal protection clauses. Stating the opposite “obvious” makes a point: perhaps it’s not as obvious as some think. ---
**Author:** ![schplebordnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@schplebordnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schplebordnik)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/26 "2004-02-20T06:44:51Z")
> [@artemis](#): > > Nope - both RU 486 and the morning after pill have effects on the woman’s body. > > [Potential side effects of RU 486](http://www.earlyoptions.org/online_cme/m2expected2.asp) > > [Potential side effects of the morning after pill](http://www.accessmednet.com/prescription-drug-information/emergency-contraception.html#side-effects) Oh please. Similar warnings are put on almost every OTC drug, mostly to reduce litigation. Morning after pill can be obtained without a prescription in several states, and the FDA was considering making it available OTC nationwide. It’s safe, it’s effective, and the possible side effects are minimal and generally don’t even happen: [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/16/health/main588777.shtml](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/16/health/main588777.shtml). ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/27 "2004-02-20T06:45:23Z")
> [@schplebordnik](#): > > Yeah, well one of the arguments trundled out against gay marriage has to do with nature as well. And it fails miserably, on two counts. Homosexual acts ARE natural - they’ve been observed in many species of animals. And marriage in Western societies has nothing to do with sexuality in any case. There’s no requirement you even have sex with your spouse and no requirement that you be fertile and produce children for your heterosexual relationship to be granted the privileges of marriage. If marriage was fundamentally about promoting heretosexual behavior and reproduction, we’d deny marriage licenses to heterosexual couples in which one of the prospective spouses is incapable of intercourse or is infertile. We don’t. If we’re willing to let two 80 year olds marry, why not allow homosexuals to marry? If a man and woman can choose to practice nothing but anal intercourse and still be allowed to get a marriage license, why the uproar over giving one to homosexuals? ---
**Author:** ![schplebordnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@schplebordnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schplebordnik)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/28 "2004-02-20T06:49:40Z")
> [@artemis](#): > > Homosexual acts ARE natural - they’ve been observed in many species of animals. Many? [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_198.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_198.html) ---
**Author:** ![artemis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/91b2a8/32.png) [@artemis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/artemis)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/29 "2004-02-20T06:57:11Z")
> [@schplebordnik](#): > > Oh please. Similar warnings are put on almost every OTC drug, mostly to reduce litigation.]. The risks are real. The incidence of serious side effects may be low - but I can assure you that’s absolutely no consolation if you’re the person unlucky enough to experience one of them. The litigation risk the drug companies face occurs because a small number of people who take the drug WILL be harmed by it even though they have no obvious contraindications to taking it. > [@schplebordnik](#): > > Morning after pill can be obtained without a prescription in several states, and the FDA was considering making it available OTC nationwide. It’s safe, it’s effective, and the possible side effects are minimal and generally don’t even happen: > > [http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/16/health/main588777.shtml](http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/16/health/main588777.shtml). Aspirin is sold over-the-counter, too. It has a low but non-negligible risk of serious side effects. Should I be able to legally force you into taking an aspirin tablet? There’s no such thing as a “safe drug” - there are only drugs which are more risky or less risky. The person whose body is going to be affected by the administration of the drug is the ONLY person who should be making the decision about whether or not to take it. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/30 "2004-02-20T07:08:46Z")
> [@schplebordnik](#): > > Many? > [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2\_198.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_198.html) That linked article is hardly a comprehensive list, nor does Cecil claim it to be so. homosexuality has been observed in nearly every species of monkey and ape, as well as dolphins, ducks, dogs and well, many others. Now please shuat your pie hole. You’re polluting our atmosphere. ---
**Author:** ![schplebordnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@schplebordnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schplebordnik)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/31 "2004-02-20T07:12:01Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > That linked article is hardly a comprehensive list, nor does Cecil claim it to be so. I quote: “Herewith the contents of my \*entire file \* on kinky animal habits” Quod erat demonstrandum. And I don’t use my pie hole to type in these posting. It’s the fingers I stick into pie holes… ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/32 "2004-02-20T07:15:52Z")
> [@schplebordnik](#): > > I quote: > > “Herewith the contents of my \*entire file \* on kinky animal habits” > Quod erat demonstrandum. That means all _he_ knows…not all there _is_ to know, silly. I could probably find an observation of homosexual behavior in almost any species of higher animal you care to name. Rabbits, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![schplebordnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@schplebordnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schplebordnik)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/33 "2004-02-20T07:17:49Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > That means all _he_ knows…not all there _is_ to know, silly. I could probably find an observation of homosexual behavior in almost any species of higher animal you care to name. Rabbits, for instance. I’m game. Got a pic you can post? ---
**Author:** ![schplebordnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@schplebordnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schplebordnik)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/34 "2004-02-20T07:20:07Z")
> [@Q.E.D.](#): > > That means all _he_ knows… But he knows _everything_: [http://www.straightdope.com/faq/officialfaq.html](http://www.straightdope.com/faq/officialfaq.html) QED ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/35 "2004-02-20T07:25:46Z")
> [@schplebordnik](#): > > I’m game. Got a pic you can post? I’ll see if i can get one of my friends that has rabbits to take one. In fact, one of them is **msrexrabbit** , who is a member here and _tadaa_ raises rex rabbits. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/36 "2004-02-20T07:37:05Z")
**schplebordnik** : You’ve already lost the argument. All you’re achieving now is prooving that you’re a dickhead. (Not that it wasn’t apparent already.) ---
**Author:** ![Cerri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@Cerri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cerri)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/37 "2004-02-20T07:37:56Z")
Homosexuality in animals: [http://www.salon.com/it/feature/1999/03/cov\_15featurea.html](http://www.salon.com/it/feature/1999/03/cov_15featurea.html) [http://www.bidstrup.com/sodomy.htm](http://www.bidstrup.com/sodomy.htm) [http://www.rnw.nl/lifestyle/html/gayanimals000808.html](http://www.rnw.nl/lifestyle/html/gayanimals000808.html) [http://www.dailycardinal.com/news/2004/02/12/News/Animal.Homosexuality.Adds.To.Gay.Rights.Debate-605235.shtml](http://www.dailycardinal.com/news/2004/02/12/News/Animal.Homosexuality.Adds.To.Gay.Rights.Debate-605235.shtml) [http://www.sciencenews.org/sn\_arc97/1\_4\_97/bob1.htm](http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc97/1_4_97/bob1.htm) To name just a few…got to love that Google! =) ---
**Author:** ![schplebordnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@schplebordnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schplebordnik)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/38 "2004-02-20T07:40:12Z")
> [@Desmostylus](#): > > **schplebordnik** : You’ve already lost the argument. All you’re achieving now is prooving that you’re a dickhead. (Not that it wasn’t apparent already.) Hey, thanks for clarifying for me that disparate impact is never countenanced in the law and hence gay marriage can never be held not legal. 3 years of law school, 3 state bar admissions and 12 years of practice down the drain… ---
**Author:** ![schplebordnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@schplebordnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schplebordnik)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/39 "2004-02-20T07:41:23Z")
> [@Cerri](#): > > Homosexuality in animals: > > [http://www.salon.com/it/feature/1999/03/cov\_15featurea.html](http://www.salon.com/it/feature/1999/03/cov_15featurea.html) > > [The Natural "Crime Against Nature": Homosexual Behaviors In Animals](http://www.bidstrup.com/sodomy.htm) > > [http://www.rnw.nl/lifestyle/html/gayanimals000808.html](http://www.rnw.nl/lifestyle/html/gayanimals000808.html) > > [http://www.dailycardinal.com/news/2004/02/12/News/Animal.Homosexuality.Adds.To.Gay.Rights.Debate-605235.shtml](http://www.dailycardinal.com/news/2004/02/12/News/Animal.Homosexuality.Adds.To.Gay.Rights.Debate-605235.shtml) > > [http://www.sciencenews.org/sn\_arc97/1\_4\_97/bob1.htm](http://www.sciencenews.org/sn_arc97/1_4_97/bob1.htm) > > To name just a few…got to love that Google! =) Pshaw. We all know that Cecil is the ultimate authority. At least here… ---
**Author:** ![Sublight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@Sublight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sublight)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2004, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152/40 "2004-02-20T07:51:00Z")
No pics (and I wouldn’t be able to tell if they were the same gender even if there were), but how about a link? Avaliable at Amazon, [Biological Exuberance](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/031225377X/qid=1077263107/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-1141543-4323839?v=glance&s=books), which you can take a look through here: [http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/031225377X/ref=sib\_dp\_pt/103-1141543-4323839#reader-link](http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/031225377X/ref=sib_dp_pt/103-1141543-4323839#reader-link) According to the contents page, not only primates, but also marine mammals, hoofed mammals, carnivorous mammals, rodents, birds of all varieties and a few others are implicated in this scandalously unnatural practice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/no-fuckhead-it-is-too-discrimination-because-it-has-a-disparate-impact/230152.md?page=3)