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Fellow blogger Matt Algren, dissects part of the testimony from the Federal Prop 8 trial, and makes a very important statement, that I felt deserves repeating:

Notice that both times, William Tam answered a question of fact with a statement of faith. He knew that NARTH was an unreliable source, but he wasn’t looking for reliability. Science and truth were irrelevant; cast aside in favor of someone who would pat him on the back and tell him that pursuing his prejudices was good enough.

He’s not alone in this. By design, campaigns of prejudice are based on the gamble that most people will stop looking for facts if someone backs up their prejudice. That’s why anti-gay industry leaders like  NARTH (and in turn, William Tam) rely singularly on extreme statements of emotion and fear.

There are two groups of people out there, that those of us who seek equality for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders and queers need to be concerned about- There are those who oppose us, and then there are the politicians whose votes we need to pass legislation. Truly, sometimes an elected official falls into both categories, but the distinction is still meaningful.

We can talk till we are blue in the face at those voices who seek to  oppress us, but we are generally talking past them, and they are stuck in the “statements of faith.” arguments. On the other hand, elected officials, no matter if they are for us or against us or somewhere in between, by the nature of their job, need to be collecting facts and listening to all of their constituents.

One place we often fall short as activists, is getting enough people to speak up in support of LGBTQ causes. Out elected officials hear/ receive letters and phone calls from those who seek to oppress us, but we (those of us who seek full equality and our supporters- they don’t hear from us. We are often good at telling each other why we feel equality is important, but we fall short in redirecting that towards legislators who can make a difference.

The only way to fight prejudice is with facts and shine light on the reality of life for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queers. Taking 5 minutes to write a letter (that isn’t a form letter) that says, “this is how [name your legislation of choice] will impact me, and my life and my friends or the people I care about…” can have huge impact.

“This is how [name your legislation of choice] will impact me, and my life and my friends or the people I care about…” is a statement of fact, and not a statement of faith. When fear rules, we lose. When the only voices heard by elected officials are those spreading exaggerations, lies or statements of faith, we lose. But we win, when the statements of facts are heard. Add your voice to the growing sound of truth and real facts.

PS: Thanks to Matt for his continued great work as a blogger!

NARTH, William Tam, and the Key to Anti-Gay Hate | Asterisk.

I was both utterly surprised and at the same time, found this so totally predictable:

“One by one, other states would fall into Satan’s hands,” he wrote. “Every child, when growing up, would fantasize marrying someone of the same sex. More children would become homosexuals.”

Anyone writing about the marriage equality movement could easily feel schizophrenic. On the one hand, with loss after loss piling up, it can seem as if it is suicide to keep pushing for same-sex marriage. But on the other hand, when you look at the arguments expressed by opponents, they seem so utterly insane. It is clearly just a matter of time before there is equality for all, and same sex couples can marry everywhere

The quote above is from one of the defenders of Prop 8, who has been asked to be taken off the list of defendants, but gave this statement anyway. In it is all the insanity and hatred, that defines the movement that opposes same-sex marriage. I don’t often write about hate, and have gone so far as to say that to call “it” hate is a mistake. By “it” I mean the whole of the anti-gay movement, and I stand by that claim. There is hate in there, and there is other stuff in there, and all of it needs to be named and called out for what it is.  But hate is one ingredient to be sure.

Groups like the National Organization for Marriage, claim that this is about protecting the sanctity of marriage, but the above quote points out how ludicrous that claim is. There are 3 parts to the quote which are important:

• Satan
• What every child fantasizes about
• More children to become homosexual

As important as these three statements, one other element is crucial. The anti-gay movement can only be strong while hiding. In secret. That is why we see campaigns of fear mongering, lies and misinformation followed by public votes made in secret. But the above statement was expressed because it looks as if the Federal Prop 8 case may be broadcast on YouTube after a delay. This will bring it into the light, and that will be good for everyone. Two elements feed and perpetrate the anti-gay movement. There is a far right radical fringe that make up the movement itself. These individuals then construct campaigns of lies, and misinformation designed to scare a majority of people. Not everyone who claims to oppose gay marriage is such a hate monger. Many are generally good people who have bought into the lies and misinformation. The more these individuals see truth, the less likely it will be for the fear mongering to capture them.

Satan

Satan is one of those biblical characters that can be found in Christianity, but may or may not really be of much power. I grew up as a Methodist, and I don’t remember Satan talked about at all. It wasn’t until my late teens when I was briefly involved with a full Gospel pentecostal church, that I really learned about Satan. This isn’t mainstream Christianity, but rather the far, far right fringe leading others here.

Children will Fantasize

This statement alone ought to be enough to wake up most of the American people, although I’m afraid it won’t. However, I think it lends evidence to the claim that those who are so opposed to homosexuality, are those who are fighting it within themselves. Why else would they think that everyone would have these fantasies, unless they themselves do?

More Homosexuals

This is the saddest element from this quote. After how many years of civilized culture, where homosexuality in some form has been known, are we ever going to come to terms with the fact that homosexuality is a naturally occurring phenomena? There are hundreds and thousands of gay people today who were born and raised in a time without same-sex marriage. and they are still gay. Allowing same-sex marriage won’t make children gay.

But this last claim illustrates the real push of the anti-marriage equality crowd. It isn’t about the sanctity of marriage, it is to stop homosexuality. It is because children being homosexual is bad. Period.

For this reason, we must fight the anti-marriage movement with everything we have. Even if we are not really for marriage, or even if we feel there are other fights more important to be fought. Underneath it all, it is the same battle- that being gay is OK. It doesn’t matter if that is framed in a non-discrimination law or a marriage law or an anti-bullying law. Being gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or queer is OK.

See you on YouTube!

via Calif. Gay Marriage Defendant Wants Out of Case – NYTimes.com.

Petition Link:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/TeleviseTheTrial