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09/09/2008
BIG SHOCKER: Gay marriage foes at odds with ACLU
The civil liberties fans at the ACLU have donated a whopping $1.2 million dollars to defeat California's most civil liberties-stifling ballot initiative, Proposition 8. And while we, being big fans of the freedom and justice for all concept, are delighted at the windfall, the donation certainly isn't sitting well with the anti-gay measure's backers. In fact, the marriage equality foes at ProtectMarriage.com have issued the follow annoyed response:
"By taking the ACLU's support, our opponents are showing their true colors. The ACLU is notorious for undermining religious liberty, supporting the legalization of heroin and cocaine, and working to water down laws against sex offenders. And now, for being the #1 sponsor of a campaign to overturn the institution of marriage as it's existed for thousands of years. "
"To match them, we're launching a new campaign to stop by ACLU by raising $1.2 million from dedicated supporters like you"
Alright, so the last part sounds kind of like a "so what?" After all, these folks are always trying to raise money for their cause, and the ACLU-unfriendliness within their movement goes without saying. So it sounds a little disingenuous for them to act as if this donation changes the game in any way for their side, or to even present the ACLU's marriage equality support as "news." What next, are they gonna shock us all by blowing the lid off Gavin Newsom's queer support?!
But as for the first part: What "true colors" are we on the side of progress revealing by accepting this donation? The ACLU defends the constitution. While the far-right has turned oversimplification of the ACLU's mission into a cottage industry, the truth is that the ACLU is working to preserve First Amendment rights, equal protection under the law, the right to due process, and the right to privacy. As such, the ACLU has determined that many of the gay freedoms that the "pro-family" side works to keep at bay are, in fact, fitting to their mission. And guess what? Our side tends to enjoy the ACLU! Our side tends to work with the ACLU! Or more accurately: The ACLU tends to work for us! By accepting the ACLU's donation, the only thing we should be revealing is gratitude. We should gracious that there are organizations out there who view this "fight" as worth such a fat wad of cash!
ACLU Donates $1.2 Million to Anti-Marriage California Proposition 8 [Life Site]
**GET INVOLVED: The ACLU's Get Busy, Get Equal site
Your thoughts
They all hate the ACLU until it's THEIR rights the ACLU defends. Dillweeds.
Posted by: Kristi | Sep 9, 2008 12:58:08 PM
The ACLU has often defended the free speech rights of pro-life protestors. These people don't understand the concept of "I disagree with what you say but I'll defend to the death your right to say it."
Kind of like how they denounce courts legislating from the bench, yet are highly litigous when they feel their rights (usually some perceived "right" to control others) have violated in some way.
Posted by: Phil | Sep 9, 2008 1:28:05 PM
I'm glad to see the ACLU has donated alot of money but I wish they donated a little to the efforts in Arizona and Florida. They need it too. I would be very happy if we stop this amendment from passing in California but I would be even happier if all three states failed to pass this discriminatory amendment.
Posted by: Sam | Sep 9, 2008 1:39:13 PM
Oh, we've definitely been involved in Arizona and Florida too -- we've been doing fundraising, we've contributed money to pay for campaign staff, and a bunch of other stuff.
Posted by: Chris Hampton | Sep 10, 2008 10:06:14 AM
Thanks for that insight, Chris.
Posted by: G-A-Y | Sep 10, 2008 10:22:11 AM
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