EDITORIAL
A little aloha might settle parade tussle

A proposed settlement between the city of Honolulu and the American Civil Liberties Union over participation in parades and other city-sponsored events makes the best out of what is, frankly, a bad situation.

The settlement derives from a lawsuit brought by several groups and individuals, including Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays on O'ahu, against the city. Their complaint was that gay rights groups were excluded from a parade and festival sponsored by the Hawai'i Christian Coalition as part of its Family Day celebration.

The settlement correctly recognizes that when the city sponsors, or helps sponsor, an event through the provision of permits, police protection and the like, it cannot allow discrimination against any group or individual from participation.

That leaves behind an issue that can only be resolved by common sense, goodwill and aloha of the citizens of Honolulu.

Yes, if someone is holding a parade on city streets and under city authority, you have a right to march in it. But you are not obligated to do so.

When the gay and lesbian community, for instance, holds a parade and festival, it is legally obligated to include groups or individuals who oppose their point of view. But one would hope that those people would choose to conduct their own march rather than raining on the gay and lesbian parade.

And the same works in reverse. If the Christian Coalition wishes to hold a parade or festival, let it do so without interruption.

It comes down to a matter of courtesy. Legally, yes, each parade is open to all. But the constitutional right to free speech does not mandate that everyone needs to be shouting at once.