Proposition 8 Supporters File Suit to Conceal Donor Identities
Christian Church
January 11, 2009
Hate groups that pushed measure to promote bigotry and intolerance against lesbians and gays want to hide the names of their supporters. Critics charge Yes on Prop 8 tactics caused the murder of a gay man.
SACRAMENTO - Acting on behalf of supporters of Proposition 8, the ProtectMarriage.com - Yes on 8 committee has filed a legal challenge in US federal court to the constitutionality of California's campaign finance laws that compel disclosure of personal information of donors who supported Proposition 8. Essentially, the Yes on 8 campaign wants to hide the names of people who contributed financially toward promoting discrimination, bigotry and violence against lesbians and gays. Since Proposition 8 first appeared on the ballot, there has been an increase in the number of verbal and violent attacks perpetrated against lesbians and gays as explained in the following examples:
1. Yes on Prop 8 anti-gay hate crime example #1
2. Yes on Prop 8 anti-gay hate crime example #2
3. Yes on Prop 8 anti-gay hate crime example #3
4. Yes on Prop 8 anti-gay hate crime example #4
A simple search of the Internet reveals numerous other anti-gay hate crimes perpetrated by supporters of Proposition 8, including one in which a skinhead is charged with violently attacking a gay man simply for wearing a "No on Prop 8" button. The gay man was assaulted by the skinhead who used a "Yes on Prop 8" campaign sign to pummel his victim. Critics also charge that at least one gay man was murdered as a direct consequence of the Yes on Prop 8 campaign's misleading tactics. Now the Yes on Prop 8 campaign wants to hide the names of their supporters so that their supporters cannot be held accountable for their actions.
The suit singles out a website called Californians Against Hate which publishes the names of individuals who supported the discriminatory measure. But many other websites, including the California Secretary of State, publish these names. These websites include the San Francisco Chronicle, Mormons for Prop 8, the Los Angeles Times, and the Sacramento Bee. In fact, there are many other sites on the Internet that publish the names of Prop 8 donors – on both sides. A simple Google Search demonstrates this easily. It is interesting to note that the Yes on Prop 8 campaign has not filed suit to conceal the names of their opponents.
California law specifically states that the names of individual financial contributors to ballot measures must be fully disclosed. If the Yes on Prop 8 challenge is upheld, the decision will pose a dangerous precedent by modifying existing rules that mandate full disclosure of the names of contributors to other initiatives, such as those that have to do with education, crime, housing and health care. The lawsuit will no doubt affect the disclosures on other initiatives that will be proposed in the future.
Background. Via tactics of lies, deception and misinformation about lesbians and gays, Proposition 8 was narrowly passed by voters in November. Many people who were confused by the message actually voted "yes on Prop 8" when they thought they were voting "yes on gay marriage."
Prop 8 Is a Revision to the California Constitution. According to the majority of legal experts in the State of California, as well as the California Attorney General, Proposition 8 should be overturned by the courts. Specifically, the measure substantially revises the California Constitution because it singles out a class of people for discrimination. Proposition 8 targets a historically vulnerable group and eliminates their right to marriage – a civil and moral right that over 18,000 same-sex couples have enjoyed ever since the conservative California Supreme Court overruled the ban on marriage equality in June. Both the United States Constitution and the California Constitution guarantee "equal protection under the law." Thus, Proposition 8 is a revision to the California Constitution and, accordingly, requires an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the legislature and 2/3 of the voters. Proposition 8 did not meet these Constitutional requirements.
Prop 8 Has Caused an Increase in Violence and Harassment Against Lesbians and Gays. According to civil rights groups, there has been a systematic attempt to intimidate, threaten and harass lesbians and gays in the wake of the Yes on 8 campaign. This harassment is the direct consequence of the lies, misinformation, and deception by Prop 8 supporters. These acts violate the US Constitution and criminal law. For example, many lesbian and gays have become victims of vandalism, property destruction and the distribution of harassing letters, such as letters from the leadership of the Mormon Church, in support of Proposition 8. Out of state members of the Mormon Church were the largest contributors to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign. The Mormon Church is being investigated by the California Fair Elections Commission for potential violations of election laws by failing to report campaign-related expenses. No wonder the Yes on Prop 8 campaign wants to modify existing disclosure laws that hold donors and campaigns accountable.
The Mormon Church has a long history of polygamy which, according to sources is a "defining characteristic" of the Latter Day Saint movement. Current police investigations and news reports provide evidence that LDS church leaders have used polygamy to take advantage of young girls for immoral purposes. Evidence exists that polygamy remains "alive and well" in the Church. Critics charge that the influence of the Mormon Church into the Yes on Prop 8 campaign was a failed attempt to "disguise" the Mormon history of rebuking traditional marriage – at the expense of lesbians and gays.
According to sources, Mormon theology states that Jesus Christ had three wives and was the "brother of Lucifer." In the "Battle for Earth" those people who remained "neutral" in the fight between Jesus and Lucifer were "cursed to be born with black skin." In addition to promoting discrimination against lesbians and gays, the Mormon Church has a long and documented history of racial discrimination. For example, racist statements in the Book of Mormon can be found here. And racist statements by LDS leaders can be found here.
The Mormon Church is not a "Christian" church recognized by the majority of Christian faiths worldwide, including Catholics, Baptists, and all mainstream Protestant religions. In addition to Mormon support, the Yes on Prop 8 campaign was supported by the Knights of Columbus and the Ku Klux Klan.
Prop 8 Should be Overturned. Proposition 8 must now be overturned by the California Supreme Court because discrimination and bigotry against same-sex couples is wrong and immoral. Proposition 8 significantly revises the State Constitution by targeting a single group of individuals to eliminate their rights. Lesbians and gays should not be singled out for discrimination, and Proposition 8 does just that.
SACRAMENTO - Acting on behalf of supporters of Proposition 8, the ProtectMarriage.com - Yes on 8 committee has filed a legal challenge in US federal court to the constitutionality of California's campaign finance laws that compel disclosure of personal information of donors who supported Proposition 8. Essentially, the Yes on 8 campaign wants to hide the names of people who contributed financially toward promoting discrimination, bigotry and violence against lesbians and gays. Since Proposition 8 first appeared on the ballot, there has been an increase in the number of verbal and violent attacks perpetrated against lesbians and gays as explained in the following examples:
1. Yes on Prop 8 anti-gay hate crime example #1
2. Yes on Prop 8 anti-gay hate crime example #2
3. Yes on Prop 8 anti-gay hate crime example #3
4. Yes on Prop 8 anti-gay hate crime example #4
A simple search of the Internet reveals numerous other anti-gay hate crimes perpetrated by supporters of Proposition 8, including one in which a skinhead is charged with violently attacking a gay man simply for wearing a "No on Prop 8" button. The gay man was assaulted by the skinhead who used a "Yes on Prop 8" campaign sign to pummel his victim. Critics also charge that at least one gay man was murdered as a direct consequence of the Yes on Prop 8 campaign's misleading tactics. Now the Yes on Prop 8 campaign wants to hide the names of their supporters so that their supporters cannot be held accountable for their actions.
The suit singles out a website called Californians Against Hate which publishes the names of individuals who supported the discriminatory measure. But many other websites, including the California Secretary of State, publish these names. These websites include the San Francisco Chronicle, Mormons for Prop 8, the Los Angeles Times, and the Sacramento Bee. In fact, there are many other sites on the Internet that publish the names of Prop 8 donors – on both sides. A simple Google Search demonstrates this easily. It is interesting to note that the Yes on Prop 8 campaign has not filed suit to conceal the names of their opponents.
California law specifically states that the names of individual financial contributors to ballot measures must be fully disclosed. If the Yes on Prop 8 challenge is upheld, the decision will pose a dangerous precedent by modifying existing rules that mandate full disclosure of the names of contributors to other initiatives, such as those that have to do with education, crime, housing and health care. The lawsuit will no doubt affect the disclosures on other initiatives that will be proposed in the future.
Background. Via tactics of lies, deception and misinformation about lesbians and gays, Proposition 8 was narrowly passed by voters in November. Many people who were confused by the message actually voted "yes on Prop 8" when they thought they were voting "yes on gay marriage."
Prop 8 Is a Revision to the California Constitution. According to the majority of legal experts in the State of California, as well as the California Attorney General, Proposition 8 should be overturned by the courts. Specifically, the measure substantially revises the California Constitution because it singles out a class of people for discrimination. Proposition 8 targets a historically vulnerable group and eliminates their right to marriage – a civil and moral right that over 18,000 same-sex couples have enjoyed ever since the conservative California Supreme Court overruled the ban on marriage equality in June. Both the United States Constitution and the California Constitution guarantee "equal protection under the law." Thus, Proposition 8 is a revision to the California Constitution and, accordingly, requires an affirmative vote of 2/3 of the legislature and 2/3 of the voters. Proposition 8 did not meet these Constitutional requirements.
Prop 8 Has Caused an Increase in Violence and Harassment Against Lesbians and Gays. According to civil rights groups, there has been a systematic attempt to intimidate, threaten and harass lesbians and gays in the wake of the Yes on 8 campaign. This harassment is the direct consequence of the lies, misinformation, and deception by Prop 8 supporters. These acts violate the US Constitution and criminal law. For example, many lesbian and gays have become victims of vandalism, property destruction and the distribution of harassing letters, such as letters from the leadership of the Mormon Church, in support of Proposition 8. Out of state members of the Mormon Church were the largest contributors to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign. The Mormon Church is being investigated by the California Fair Elections Commission for potential violations of election laws by failing to report campaign-related expenses. No wonder the Yes on Prop 8 campaign wants to modify existing disclosure laws that hold donors and campaigns accountable.
The Mormon Church has a long history of polygamy which, according to sources is a "defining characteristic" of the Latter Day Saint movement. Current police investigations and news reports provide evidence that LDS church leaders have used polygamy to take advantage of young girls for immoral purposes. Evidence exists that polygamy remains "alive and well" in the Church. Critics charge that the influence of the Mormon Church into the Yes on Prop 8 campaign was a failed attempt to "disguise" the Mormon history of rebuking traditional marriage – at the expense of lesbians and gays.
According to sources, Mormon theology states that Jesus Christ had three wives and was the "brother of Lucifer." In the "Battle for Earth" those people who remained "neutral" in the fight between Jesus and Lucifer were "cursed to be born with black skin." In addition to promoting discrimination against lesbians and gays, the Mormon Church has a long and documented history of racial discrimination. For example, racist statements in the Book of Mormon can be found here. And racist statements by LDS leaders can be found here.
The Mormon Church is not a "Christian" church recognized by the majority of Christian faiths worldwide, including Catholics, Baptists, and all mainstream Protestant religions. In addition to Mormon support, the Yes on Prop 8 campaign was supported by the Knights of Columbus and the Ku Klux Klan.
Prop 8 Should be Overturned. Proposition 8 must now be overturned by the California Supreme Court because discrimination and bigotry against same-sex couples is wrong and immoral. Proposition 8 significantly revises the State Constitution by targeting a single group of individuals to eliminate their rights. Lesbians and gays should not be singled out for discrimination, and Proposition 8 does just that.
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