This story is disappointing. A landscaping company refused to work for a gay couple, which is bad enough as it is, but then legions of homosexual activists bombarded its Web site with scathing criticism and threats of violence.

Here’s where I come down: It is completely within the rights of the company to choose its clientele. There are a few limitations — race and gender legislation, chiefly — but sexual orientation is not one of them in most states (including, I’d presume, Texas). I think the guy should take the money and do the work, as he’s a businessman, not a preacher, but it’s his choice.

It is also within the rights of the gay couple to boycott, and I endorse said boycott.

However, I disagree with the offended gay man’s use of the word “ignorance.” It’s always kind of annoyed me when people try to bring what they call “facts” or “enlightenment” to the bigotry debate. Actually, the facts of the matter indicate that people of different sexual orientations, races, etc., exhibit a number of different characteristics. They’re not, as groups, “equal.”

Equality is a value, as Rick Santorum argued in It Takes a Family. It’s a value I support, including in this case. The problem with this landscaper is his values, then — not his “ignorance” or lack of “enlightenment.” There is no fact you could teach him to change his mind.

Robert VerBruggen blogs at http://robertsrationale.blogspot.com.