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02/14/2011
MassResistance has been futile. So yes, Maryland -- *please* copy their test paper!
Because of a penchant for thoroughly over-the-top activities like covertly filming transgender human beings as they try to use a public restroom in peace, MassResistance has the reputation of being one of the fringe-iest of all the statewide "pro-family" groups. Now those Bay State bedazzlers are hoping to spread that reach to other locales:
Last week MassResistance was contacted by activists from the statewide pro-family group ProtectMarriageMaryland. They wanted any help we could provide organizing for and dealing with this crucial hearing.
We went right to action:
- We provided them with our hard-hitting 4-page handout "What same-sex "marriage" has done to Massachusetts". This pamphlet has been successfully used in by activists California, Florida, Iowa, Hawaii, Maine, and other states.
We encouraged them to disseminate it as widely as possible, especially to legislators. It had an immediate effect. It was used as testimony by citizens testifying. At least one Senator on the panel used it in his questioning.
- On Friday MassResistance held a 1½ hour conference call with key activists from ProtectMarriageMaryland. We briefed them on the kind of tactics they could expect from the homosexual lobby, and strategies they could use to counter them.
- We contacted over 100 MassResistance activists who live in Maryland and encouraged them to testify at the hearing and work with ProtectMarriageMaryland.
MassResistance helps prepare Maryland activists for "gay marriage" public hearing in State Senate [MassResistance]
Developments we welcome, actually. For one reason: As we've already suggested, MR is seriously seen as one of the most pale-beyonding of all the "protect marriage" warriors. MR has been on the Southern Poverty Law Center's "hate groups" list for a number of years precisely because of these overreaching efforts. Brian Camenker, Amy Contrada, and Co. have made a choice to put their passion well before any sense of pragmatism, leading to advocacy that is, on one hand, refreshingly candid -- but action that is, on the other, more prevailing hand, extremely discourse-lowering. Which is why you'll never hear a group like NOM using MassResistance's work publicly: Because the organized marriage movement realizes the liability. So for us, this nonstrategic entrance into Maryland really provides an opening.
And second: By ever measure on the stick, MassResistance has lost its own state's war against marriage equality. The group tried to stop the Goodridge decision from going into effect -- and lost. They tried to put marriage to a public vote -- and lost. They tried to smear any politician who supported equality -- and (largely) lost. They tried to take down former governor Mitt Romney for allowing marriage to go forward -- and lost. They tried to change public opinion in the state -- and lost. In fact, their actions have arguably led our polls to go up a few notches.
So if Protect Marriage Maryland wants to look North in their own efforts to drive equality south? Well okay, whatever. We're exhausted anyway. Could use an easy win.
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