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Flashpoint

Gay marriage amendment could put you on the record

By Brendan McLaughlin

You're loaded up with Cool Ranch Doritos and San Pellegrino water, pushing your cart across the asphalt expanse of Publix when a cheerful, college aged woman with a clipboard calls out, "are you registered to vote in this county?. She explains the issue de jour; pregnant pigs, decriminalizing marijuana, free cheese for all, whatever. She hands you the pen. You sign and congratulate yourself for your wisdom, compassion and civic involvement.

Well done, citizen, but would you be so quick to sign that petition- any petition, if you knew your support would be known to your friends and neighbors?

Attachment: wedding_cake.jpg (79051 bytes)

That's the question signers of the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment have to ask themselves. The anti-gay marriage amendment was just certified to appear on the November 4th ballot after organizers gathered over 600,000 signatures. It would be fair to guess that some of those signers wouldn't necessarily want their views on gay marriage publicized, one way or the other.  Too late.

A pro-gay rights group has set up a searchable online database at KnowThyNeighbor.Org.
Type in your county and street and you can find out in a second which, if any of your neighbors believe they can protect heterosexual unions by forbidding committed gay couples from enjoying the legal and societal benefits of marriage. Never mind that gay marriage is already illegal under Florida law. You can search by name, too, which has allowed inquiring minds to find out which public officials have signed the petition.

Supporters of the amendment accuse KnowThyNeighbor.Org of intimidation. Not an unfair claim if you believe that the confidentiality of one's vote contributes to a healthy democracy. But signing a petition on an issue of public policy is not the same as pulling the lever against Saddam Hussein or Fidel Castro. Signing your name in the middle of a crowded parking lot does imply a public show of support for the issue at hand. 

One reason the benefits of transparency in these matters may outweigh the drawbacks is fraud. It's not unheard of for paid signature gatherers to misrepresent  what the petition actually calls for. One freelance signature gatherer in Massachusetts admitted to lying... telling voters they were signing a petition to allow the sale of wine at grocery stores statewide, when in fact they were signing a petition banning gay marriage.

Published Monday, February 04, 2008 8:42 PM by Brendan
Attachment(s): wedding_cake.jpg

Comments

 

Charlotte said:

Marriage is a basic civil right. For the truth about gay marriage check out our trailer. Produced to educate & defuse the controversy it has a way of opening closed minds & provides some sanity on the issue: www.OUTTAKEonline.com
February 5, 2008 7:41 AM
 

Zeke said:

Brendan

Once again, you make an excellent point.

Sadly many people misrepresent and down right lie as to what their petitions actually calls for. Each signature means money in their pockets, so, what do they care. The problem is to many people don't read what they are signing, taking the petition gatherers word for what they are attempting to accomplish.

It happens everywhere and will continue to unless people read what their signing, period. If not it could come back to haunt them when it becomes public record, which it will.  

Thanks for opening the publics eyes to these unscrupulous petition gatherers.

With that said, I'd like to add, "Vote NO on Amendment 1".

Zeke
February 5, 2008 12:42 PM
 

j said:

I always knew abc had an agenda this just proves it!
February 5, 2008 4:35 PM
 

Brendan said:

Pray tell, what agenda would that be?
February 5, 2008 4:49 PM
 

John Hosty-Grinnell said:

I was one of the bloggers that helped with KnowThyNeighbor.org, and I have to say the experience was life changing. I began to see just how much deception that goes undetected around us every day. Angela McElroy is the girl who turned whistle-blower against her boss when she realized how her signature gathering would effect good people. Here is the link address for a news special about this incident:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMGUaCpmEPU

PLEASE, PLEASE, inform yourself by watching this unbiased news report.

Gay people aren't asking that everyone accepts them, that would be foolish. We are always going to have some differences, but those differences do not constitute a right to deny someone equality. If someone needs to be judged, they should be judged by the merit of their actions and intents, not by something as unchangeable as their sexuality. Their are good and bad gay people just like any other walk of life. We cannot lump all gay people together and say none of them are deserving of marriage equality, that would be unAmerican. No one needs my permission to marry, and I needed no one else's permission when I married my partner of over 13 years. That's the way it should be in a free country. Our entire family was there, but rather than talk about it I can show you:

http://livelovelearn247.blogspot.com/2007/09/my-gay-wedding.html

Please consider that love comes in all forms. We are obligated as Americans to share the same exact opportunities and freedoms we enjoy as equals, even those whom we don't agree with.
February 5, 2008 5:22 PM
 

Ray said:

I think every one should have a chance to get married. Last time I check, church and state are not together.  It does not matter what the church says, it matters what people say. I say let them get married. Don't worry about other people, worry about the war in Iraq. That’s why the arm forces are over there for. To fight for rights of our country.
February 5, 2008 5:23 PM
 

John Hosty-Grinnell said:

Please feel free to visit KnowThyNeighbor.org and browse the articles collected there. You are also welcome to share your thoughts, whether you agree or not with marriage equality. There's a lot going on out there, the best citizen is an informed one. Don't take anyone's word, check all the facts of either side. Only then will you know what the truth is, and I as an advocate for equality count on the truth being on our side. Thanks for your time.
February 5, 2008 5:26 PM
 

Jeffrey said:

Once again, the gay marriage advocates are out in force to dismantle marriage and the meaning of family under the guise of equality. Why should 90% of the people submit to the will of the 10%? Homosexuals are sexually retarded and borderline deviant. Their lust  knows no boundaries as evidenced by their constant attacks on our male children in our parks, our libraries, and our homes.  

Homosexuals can never advance society. Only heterosexuals can. It is our children that we bear, nurture, and hope for the best. Homosexuals is death. Genetic suicide. Nothing more, nothing less. Marriage and family must be defended...to the death if need be.

February 7, 2008 12:09 AM
 

BS said:

"Marriage and family must be defended...to the death if need be."

You, sir, are a comic genius. What time is your show at the Improv this weekend?
February 7, 2008 8:50 AM
 

DC said:

"Their lust knows no boundaries."

Keep spinning gold my friend, and thank you for protecting us from all of those lusty homosexuals. You are a golden god.
February 7, 2008 9:01 AM
 

Fitz said:

"Marriage is neither a conservative nor a liberal issue; it is a universal human institution, guaranteeing children fathers, and pointing men and women toward a special kind of socially as well as personally fruitful sexual relationship. Gay marriage is the final step down a long road America has already traveled toward deinstitutionalizing, denuding and privatizing marriage. It would set in legal stone some of the most destructive ideas of the sexual revolution: There are no differences between men and women that matter, marriage has nothing to do with procreation, children do not really need mothers and fathers, the diverse family forms adults choose are all equally good for children. What happens in my heart is that I know the difference. Don't confuse my people, who have been the victims of deliberate family destruction, by giving them another definition of marriage."


Walter Fauntroy-Former DC Delegate to CongressFounding member of the Congressional Black CaucusCoordinator for Martin Luther King, Jr.'s march on DC

February 7, 2008 11:46 AM
 

Frank said:

My male partner of 25 years and I, went to Canada and got "legally" married 2 1/2 years ago. In Canada, our relationship is not a treat to anybody, it is a shame that I have to leave my own country to be given a basic human right. Gay marriages have not led to the detriment of society or led to the downfall of mankind in Canada. Who could believe that the most radical request a couple could make is to receive marriage equality. Nobody's fundamental rights should ever be subject to a popular vote.
February 8, 2008 2:14 PM
 

elaygee said:

I have already confronted some neighbors who signed the petition to let them know that they cannot hide their bigotry behind a smile.
February 8, 2008 4:14 PM
 

Patricia A.Gozemba said:

KnowThyNeighbor.org and CourtingEquality.com have joined together to document the preservation of marriage equality in Massachusetts and to reach out to other states--especially Florida.

KnowThyNeighbor.org did a great service in posting the names of folks in Massachusetts who signed our ultimately ill-fated ballot petition. Knowing the names of amendment supporters allowed us to approach our neighbors and engage them in conversation about fairness and justice. Now they are doing that for Florida.

CourtingEquality.com has engaged in outreach to Florida working with EqualityFlorida.org and FairnessforAllFamilies.org to spread the truth about the positive effects of gay marriage in Massachusetts. We were there in June and November of 2007 and will go to Florida again in April 2008.
February 8, 2008 7:25 PM
 

Jeff said:

"Knowing the names of amendment supporters allowed us to approach our neighbors and engage them in conversation about fairness and justice. Now they are doing that for Florida."

First off, we don't want to talk to you about your perverted lifestyle choice. Secondly, your perverted lifestyle and decadence has nothing to do with fairness and justice. Keep your deviancy where it belongs: in the bedroom. Stay away from our kids, our families with your sickness.

"to spread the truth about the positive effects of gay marriage in Massachusetts."

Truth is, you do not respect marriage for what it is. You demand marriage simply because you get tax breaks nothing more. If you respected marriage then you would leave it alone and stop trying to bend society to your will.
February 8, 2008 7:32 PM
 

Paul Asher-Best said:

We "demand" marriage because we are fully human.  We live and love like everyone else, and we want the full range of human rights.  Chief among the benefits of marriage is the word itself.  There is something special about being married rather than "domestically partnered," and marriage is too important to be protected as a strictly heterosexual privilege.  Separate is never equal.  

I love those who tell me to keep my "gayness" in my bedroom.  After 28 years with the same man, believe me, I am the LEAST gay in my bedroom.  I am gay because when I fell in love, with all the mind-boggling, heart-thumping, and stomach-churning emotion that implies, the object of that love happened to be of the same gender as I.  Even Rush Limbaugh describes falling in love as the one thing over which we have no control.  It certainly wasn't a choice - it's who I am.  And who I am wanted to marry the man I love.  Luckily, because I live in the great state of Massachusetts, I was able to.  And now, all those who opposed the notion saw that it was no big deal for two old farts like my husband and me to stand before family and friends and pledge our commitment to each other.  
February 9, 2008 3:29 AM
 

Caitlin said:

Fitz:

I completely agree.  Gay people should not be allowed to get married because they can't procreate, so what is the point?!  I am currently circulating a petition to enact mandatory divorce for infertile couples.  Can I count on your signature?

February 9, 2008 11:50 AM
 

JOs76 said:

Even though gay marriage is legal in MA the list of people on know they neigher is very long.  When my partner and I got legally married two years ago we checked the list for the names of anyone that we were inviting.  Luckily we did not find any.
JOs76
www.jos76.wordpress.com
February 9, 2008 7:20 PM
 

Vicki said:

Would everybody please read there Constitution. No where in the constitution does it say that there should be a seperation of church and State. It only says that the gvernment shouldn't sponser or require a specific religion.
As to the subject: whether you support or oppose this amendment, do you really want to know how your local newscaster feels. I like it when my newscaster remains unbiased in there talking about things. I don't care how they feel, just don't tell me. I watched flashpoint this morning about the marriage amendment. I don't know why he had two opposing guests. He was much more vocal about opposing this amendment then his guest from "red and blue" was. I guess I didn't realize that Flashpoint was an editorial show. My mistake.
February 10, 2008 10:55 AM
 

Matt D said:

Oh so we shouldn't be allowed to marry becuase we can't make babies now?! How ridiculous are you homophobes gonna get until you realize your stupidity?! I know tens of thousands of married straight couples who either will not have children or cannot have children! Your point on this is stupendously MOOT! Everyone on that petition should be prepared to get called out in public for your intolerance, ignorance, bigotry and intrusion into others lives! If we truly have a seperation of church and state then there is NO need for a law about this. Let individual church's and religions decide who to marry! There will be a contradiction in the constitution if you approve this, between freedom of religion and a restriction on religion as to whom they can marry! Do you not see this as a problem? Why do you need to regulate MY religious beliefs? I don't tell you that you can't DIVORCE! GO screw yourselves. Floridians are NOT stupid enough to fall for this amendment, It even hurts straight couples for god's sake! Keep your bible out of MY bedroom!
February 10, 2008 11:44 AM
 

narn said:

Is the a place where I can find a list of people in my area who support gay marriage? I'd really like to know who they are.
February 10, 2008 11:29 PM
 

Jeff said:

RE: Paul
"We "demand" marriage because we are fully human."
So? Your demands does not mean society has to take it in the rear because you do.

"We live and love like everyone else"
"Sorry, you don't. You have a sickness that needs to be treated. If you lived and loved like everyone else, we would not have to beat you people off of our kids in our schools, libraries, boy scouts, parking lots, etc..

"and we want the full range of human rights."
Sorry, Marriage is not a right. It is a privilege.

"Chief among the benefits of marriage is the word itself.  There is something special about being married rather than "domestically partnered,"
Marriage is for a man and a woman. What part of that do you not understand?

"and marriage is too important to be protected as a strictly heterosexual privilege."
Marriage is important not be given to the likes of you.

"Separate is never equal."
Guess what? We live in an unequal society. Hate to break it to you liberal types but no matter how much you legislate or think you can force people into being equal, you will never win. Why? Humans were never meant to be equal 100% of the time. Sure you may have equal rights and such, but you are not equal to me. Likewise there are people who have higher incomes or a better lifestyle than me? Doesn't make me equal to them. You have simple equal opportunity. Nothing more, nothing less. If we need to separate you to keep things somewhat equal, so be it. Marriage is not yours.
February 11, 2008 7:09 PM
 

Jeff said:

"I am gay because when I fell in love, with all the mind-boggling, heart-thumping, and stomach-churning emotion that implies, the object of that love happened to be of the same gender as I."

Let me fix that for you.

I am gay because I was molested by my dad/uncle/nephew/grandfather/cat/dog/fish and despite the fact they told me it was love, the mind-boggling, heart-thumping. stomach-churning emotion implied it was wrong but I could not help myself, that the person or object who molested me and told me loved me happened to be the same gender as I, which was pretty freaking unnatural.

Enjoy!
February 11, 2008 7:13 PM
 

Jeff said:

"Floridians are NOT stupid enough....."

Is this the same Florida that could not figure out a simple butterfly ballot? I seem to remember something about Florida, Buchanan and Gore. You under estimate the power of stupidity. However I do believe Floridians will not underestimate your deal with the devil so you can steal marriage from us. You are your kind are evolving from simple degenerates in to pure evil. It stops. Marriage is beautiful and not for you to sully and treat like a cheap whore on a Saturday night.
February 11, 2008 7:19 PM
 

Vicki said:

The Bible doesn't say you can't be homosexual. It says Man shall not lay with man. You can be gay and not have sex with someone of the same Gender. The same way someone who is heterosexual doesn't have to have sex with someone of the opposite sex.
This is U.S. Code 1.1.7:  "In determining the meaning of any Act of Congress, or of any ruling, regulation, or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word “marriage” means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word “spouse” refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is a husband or a wife.”
I do concede that Jeff isn't to bright saying "we would not have to beat you people off of our kids in our schools, libraries, boy scouts, parking lots, etc...” Are we trying to say that there are not just as many straight pedophiles? You don't have to be gay to be a pervert.

While I don't believe in homosexuality as a lifestyle, I know several gay people where I work and none of them are freaks. I treat them individually just like I would anyone else. They also know that I don't support same-sex unions (I don't say marriage because that is the union of a Man and a Woman.) and they understand that.

The reason behind marriage is to procreate. I know that some people can't have children, but with two people of the same sex it's an impossibility and removes procreation completely from the table. I guess you could look at it like homosexuals are providing the world with "population control".
I guess I'm just old school, and I'm only 34.
February 12, 2008 6:45 AM
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