Prop. 8 boycott talk spreads to movies and more

The boycott effort against businesses whose owners backed Proposition 8 appears to be picking up steam.

Dozens of groups have sprouted up on Facebook.com urging its members to boycott businesses -- restaurants, jewelry stores, car-repair shops and more. Other activists have gone onto Yelp.com and other business rating sites, posting messages telling users which restaurants donated to the "Yes on 8" campaign.

There has also been talk of a boycott of the Cinemark movie chain, whose CEO gave money to "Yes on 8." This could have a major effect on the Sundance Film Festival, which uses the chain's theaters to show movies.

The actions have alarmed supporters of Prop. 8, which banned gay marriage in California.

"Since Proposition 8’s victory, a series of protests against churches, small businesses and individual supporters of traditional marriage have taken place in cities across the state," Ron Prentice, chairman of ProtectMarriage.com, wrote in a statement. "Tragically, some opponents of Prop. 8 who claim to cherish tolerance and civil rights are unabashedly trampling on the rights of others. Protests and boycotts have taken place against a Hispanic restaurant owner in Los Angeles, African American religious leaders in the Bay Area, and a musical theater director in Sacramento, among many others."

Robert Hoehn, vice president of Hoehn Motors in San Diego County, gave $25,000 of his own money to the Yes-on-8 campaign in February. And he called what followed “a really really ugly experience.”

Before the vote, Hoehn said, he he received “dozens and dozens and dozens of really vitriolic messages” and his Honda dealership was picketed.  Since the proposition won, he said, he has received a few messages and phone calls denouncing his support for the measure.

It started with a handful of restaurants including L.A. institution El Coyote, where one of the owners contributed money to the "Yes on 8" campaign. Gay-rights activists have threatened a boycott, but the owners say so far they have not noticed a drop in business. The restaurants targeted include chains such as El Pollo Loco, Burger King, Outback Steakhouse, Yard House and more.

There is now chatter about a "gay day off," in which activists would simply not buy anything.

--Cara Mia DiMassa, Tami Adbollah and Shelby Grad

Photo: No on Prop 8 supporters protest at L.A. restaurant El Coyote.  Lori Shepler/Los Angeles Times.

Comments

[Pachecosita]

Ingnorance is what I see from the supporters of Prop 8. Go back to your books. There is plenty evidence that gay pople are born that way. think about the history of our planet. Homosexuality has always been present even in the animal kingdom.

Can you really wake up one day and say "Today I am going to be gay" c'on, I think we need to unite for EQUALITY. They need to be elevated so our comunities can be elevated as well. If you know being gay is going to bring rejection from society. Will you CHOOSE that path? I DON'T THINK SO!

DIFFERENT IS NOT EQUAL

[Ohreally?]

I'm an atheist black woman who has always been supportive of the gay community. I've shown up at the rallies and the gay pride parades and checked anyone who talked sideways about you all. If I were a Cali resident I would have voted against Prop 8. But after reading all the vitriol against African Americans (someone here actually suggested that blacks who supported Prop 8 should be run over twice. Seriously?) that came so quickly and unabashedly, I have to say that all ends for me. People who've never met me are calling me a homophobe. Well I've never met you all and I think you're racist. Isn't that how blind generalizations go? Do you all even see that?

One last point to the foaming at the mouth gay activists: the gay community doesn't consist of just white folks but people of ALL races. Black and Latino gay couples and families are hurt by prop 8 as well. What do you accomplish for your own solidarity as a community when you blindly spew this kind of hateful rhetoric against blacks and Latinos? As if some of your partners and members arent?

[Steve J]

There is one thing in common with most of the posts so far. They either
have a threat or judgement that some one should be run over or punched in the face for their beliefs. It is this lack of common civil expression that demonstrates the opinion that only one voice is the right one. In Northern Ireland we have the same problem, but until people can put aside the past and form a mutually acceptable solution for the future, there will be on going prejudice and volience. Quit demonizing the other party. It is a waste of time and shows your own prejudice. The demonizing words are as useful as an IRA bomb in getting a solution that all can be happy with. Instead look across the table with the understanding that the person sitting across from you is not a monster. He or She may have different beliefs, but in most cases they have a connection to your side too. So quit the name calling and negative bathering and start looking for a solution that right and fair to all parties.

[Lane]

The extreme edge of the homosexual community is being very hypocritical when it comes to these boycotts. When certain groups in this country called for a boycott against Disney because of Disney's pro-gay policies, the majority of people in California supported Disney. This was just over a decade ago, did the homosexual community forget the support they were given?

[jason]

Tom..Way to punish your kids for the intolerance of some. They had no say in this. Project your anger where it belongs.

[mark]

The proponents of gay marriage argues that because the Bible was used to discriminate against blacks, and now, them, that we should not stand for this. The flaw in their argument is that the Bible does not say that people of other races are second class citizens. The fact that it was misused to justify racist actions is unfortunate. However, the Bible does say that marriage is between a man and a woman. I've heard of so called "Christian" priests who argue that the Bible is open to interpretation. While that is true, but marriage, man, and woman is simple enough, what other possible interpretations can one make?

If you want to remove religion from the argument... What would have happened if the earliest humans were all gay? For one thing, we wouldn't be having this discussion... of course, there wouldn't be any humans anyway. It's unnatural - it goes against nature.

[Kevin Rodgers]

However, it can be argued that by supporting Proposition 8, the civil rights of approximately 4 millions members of the California LGBT community have been violated and the status of nearly 20,000 families put in jeopardy.

For anyone to think that the LGBT community would simply accept this travesty is simply naive.

Posted by: Joshua Cohen | November 13, 2008 at 01:07 PM
***********************************************************************************************
Take a deep breath, Joshua. Don't get in a hissy fit. The lefty 9th circuit court of appeals overturned the people's will less than 6 months ago, so don't feed us your propaganda about 20,000 families being put in jeopardy. BTW, the 9th circuit court of appeals is (by a large margin) the most overturned circuit court in the history of America.

[Tired of the No On 8 Hate]

Careful. Two can play this game.

Here are some of the businesses that supported the no on 8 campaign: PG&E, Levi &Strauss & Co., Google, Sweet, Morgan Hotel Group, Apple.

A short list of celebrities who supported the no on 8 campaign include: Steven Spielberg, Kate Capshaw, Brad Pitt, Ellen Degeneres, Molly Ringwald, Bridget Fonda, Jason Tam, Stephen Bing, Gus Van Sant, George Takei, Barbara Streisand, Melissa Etheridge, Mary J. Blige, David Hyde Pierce, and Rob Reiner.

Finally, here is a list of major corporate sponsors for the LA Gay and Lesbian Center, a major player in the no on 8 campaign, and major inciter of protests against Mormons and other religious organizations who supported prop 8: Allstate, American Airlines, Anita Way Rosenstein, Club Skirts, Coors, EMD Serano, Fiji Water, Frontiers, Fuse Events, Health Net, Here! TV Hpnotis, Keller Williams, KPL Select Mortgage, Nordstrom, Oro de Jalisco, Pinnacle, Sempra Energy, Showtime, Tylenol, Warner Bros. and Wells Fargo.

Perhaps the 54 percent who voted in favor of prop 8 will choose to boycott these businesses and celebrities. Hmmmm.

[George]

There is currently a petition to put a propostition on the ballot that would ban divorce. I think that would protect the "sanctity" of marriage better than not allowing a group of cititizens to get married. Also, all you yes'ers should go to youtube and watch Keith Olbermanns comments on this issue.

[Dustin Lacasse]

It is funny to see those who supported Prop 8 state that gays and Lesbians, "are unabashedly trampling on the rights of others." Yet everyone should recall that many times in the past Christian organizations have called for nationwide boycotts against companies who support equality. (McDonalds, Ford etc) This is just another way for Supports of 8 to try and point the finger at the LGBT community and label us with hurtful rhetoric. Go figure!!!

[psp]

Lamoote seems to forget that as recently as 1967 over 23 states forbid blacks from marrying whites until ruled unconstitutional . In 1954 the Supreme Court ruled segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. If those decision had been out to a vote in the states that had those laws, primarily in the South, what do you think the outcome would have been ? Would Lamotte have said, "that's OK ." ?
Lamotte and the others seem to forget religion was used in the 1850's to DEFEND slavery, and in the 1950s & 60s to defend segregation." It says so in the Bible ", said the preachers.
So before you start saying the gay community should just accept it, think about your own history.
Let us not forget as well before the vote it was the Vote Yes people who threatened to publish a list out those that opposed Prop. 8. Now they are complaining when the other side are using the same tatics ?
Pathetic.

[MC]

For THOUSANDS OF YEARS, marriage has been defined as between a man and a woman for the propogation and raising of children. Like it or not, it has been the nucleus of family and of civilization. CHANGE DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS, CHANGE CIVIL UNIONS, BUT DON'T CHANGE MARRIAGE!

From a non-church-going, female heterosexsual.

[Vast]

"Tragically, some opponents of Prop. 8 who claim to cherish tolerance and civil rights are unabashedly trampling on the rights of others. Protests and boycotts have taken place against a Hispanic restaurant owner in Los Angeles, African American religious leaders in the Bay Area, and a musical theater director in Sacramento, among many others."

====

So you trample all over the civil rights of the gay community and you don't expect us to respond. What are we second class citizens supposed to do accept our station and bow to our masters. God created us all equal and should be treated equally.

"Do unto others as you would have done unto you."

[Escogido]

How ironic, mormons believe that blacks can't go to heaven, only white people go to heaven with Jesus...but blacks were duped with white mormon money! Now don't you feel good about yourself!!! Suckers....

[Cliff]

The concern here is that we can safely assume that the maximum amount of gay rights supporters showed up to vote against Prop 8 and the one the court struck down. We know that a number of voters, who would traditionally vote for Prop 8 didn't bother to show up at the polls. In addition between 1-3% of voters abstained from voting either way on Prop 8.

So this aggressive protest will probably backfire on the gay activists. If Prop 8 gets struck down by court, another one will come out, that probably will effectively bypass the court's ability to strike it down. The big danger is that the turnout, noting the very uncivil (forget the dumb examples of the 60s and 70s please, the US is so over tolerating such behavior) will be greater than Prop 8. You are also helping the efforts to get such propositions passed elsewhere.

Frankly while the gay community is furious it may need to calm down and deal with it for the next 10-15 years. Within 20 years the demographics will swing in favor of gay activists.

The younger generations will be more exposed and tolerant, the early phases of the baby boomer generation will pass away. The demographics favor appeals of the 29+ states that have passed these amendments.

If you can't just remember minorities, women, religions etc waited until the time was right then you may be the only minority class that doesn't win in the end. Even those of us who "won" our right to be treated like all White Males still don't really.

The flawed assumption right now is that with Obama and the Dems in charge that no chance of a Constitutional Amendment and that it won't pass. Everyone now is taking credit for the Obama win. He won by 7%. He can lose a few claimers that threaten loss of support and still would have won.

Swing into social issues and his coalition will fall apart as well as threaten the Dem majority. Americans that made the difference, the independent voters etc, voted for him because of the economy and not his social stances.

Gay supporters lost by doing it the right way. Now the urge is to do it by the wrong way. Timing is a portion of the right way to winning. Choose wisely.

[Andrew]

Bottom line is this...even after all of this bickering, the California Supreme Court--the constitutionally assigned final arbiter of justice--will, I repeat WILL overturn the illegal proposition 8 and absolutely nothing can be done about it. The electorate can choose to not retain them, but only every 12 years. If you think anything aside from this can happen, you need to go back to 8th grade civics class. YES the Californa Supreme Court will have the last say, regardless if it was 52% or 99% of ignorant California voters who chose to remove civil rights illegally from their fellow citizens.

[Bayou Vol]

You're trying to use desegregation of schools?

Too bad the separate part wasn't the problem...the equal part was. There were a myriad of cases that proved black schools were inferior to white schools. Laws were enacted locally to support inequality. In CA, with the CA family code sec. 297.5, there is no inequality. It was quoted above by another poster.
Unless you have factual proof that your substantive rights have been violated you have ZERO argument. Psychological benefit/harm is irrelevant according to the US Supreme Court.
And another thing...the interracial marriage (Loving case). No on 8ers love to cite the fact that the court states "marriage is a right." What they never cite is the fact that the only way to legally have sex with someone was to be married. Fornication was a misdemeanor. THe whole point of the case was to catch the interracial couple "fornicating." (they were sleeping when the cops barged in) There was no such thing as a "domestic partnership" at the time. Also..more importantly, the Supreme Court comes to its comclusion because they state (and this is never quoted by the no8ers) that marriage is fundamentally linked to childbirth and child rearing...this isn't my opinion, it's the Warren Court's! The reason that marriage was upheld b/w blacks and whites is that there was no biological preemption to childbirth and childrearing between the races. Sorry no on 8ers...find a better argument than "discrimination against my civil rights." It's a false banner.

[Dav Lev]

If everyone in this world believed in non-traditional marriages, there would be no one to protest against. Food for thought.

[Jose Arribas]

Thank you for the article. I will make sure to boycott every person and business who supported Prop 8. I am a millionaire many times over and I pledge here and now to use what resources I have at my disposal to fight back against the discrimination against me and other homosexuals. What we want is to be treated equally and fairly. If you want a fight, you will get one. As for those hiding because your "religious" preaching, you show me where any god preaches hate and I will show you that god is a terrorist.

[FedUp]

I agree with Lamotte - I've had enough with the self-righteous Homosexuals and their supporters. Homosexuals are FORCING their beliefs upon all of us. They will bully anyone that disagrees or objects to their lifestyle. They then have the nerve to call others bigots - what CHUTZPAH!! If Gay Marriage ever passes you'll see their real agenda come out - churches and anyone or any business who DARES to consider homosexuals anything but "model" citizens will be punished as CRIMINALS. Homosexuals want to be considered as "normal" to society and OUR KIDS and PREACH their message of "I'm OK, - try my lifestyle, it's NORMAL". Well, guess what - it's NOT NORMAL, it's an ABOMINATION. It never has been normal and NEVER WILL BE. History proves it (but then homosexuals are also working on re-writing history). What's truly ASTONISHING is the fact that many of our "elected officials" & cities are taking up this "No on PROP 8" diatribe so as to keep the PUBLIC from focusing on the lousy job they're doing running the state - unbelievable.
Finally, thanks to LAT for publishing these business names. I will be sure to take my family to all of the businesses which supported Prop. 8. You will have my business.

[commenting]

Our country is founded on protecting the minority from the majority. Prop 8 failed us. I am straight but will boycott. BTW--University of Phoenix may be indirectly implicated here-- it just settled a lawsuit for favoring Mormon employees over non-Mormon employees. It did not per se take a position (that I know of) on Prop 8 but it's management is connected to the Mormon church which was extremely active in supporting Prop 8 (according to news reports.) Check the Chronicle of Higher Ed for info on Univ or Phoenix and the lawsuit by the EEOC for discrimination against non-mormom employees.

[defending what's ours]

Lamotte,

I'm not sure what an "arm citizen" is, but if you mean what I think you mean, I want you to know that I as a gay man am ready to defend both my rights AND your threats using any means at my disposal.

LET THAT BE YOUR WARNING.

[MrNiceGay]

The birth of a new Marriage Equality Movement -- the civil rights movement of the 21st Century -- is unfolding before our eyes.
Movements are visceral and popular, often borne of outrage and anger. What we are witnessing on the streets and online is a community of people who have come together to say: "These are our lives. This is our time. This is unacceptable." Organized from the bottom-up by thousands of ordinary people just like you, this people-powered phenomenon is exponentially growing by the minute, online and offline.
This is our moment to stand strong together -- gay and straight -- and say that we refuse to accept a California where discrimination is enshrined in our state constitution. Please show your support by pledging to support our campaign to repeal Prop 8 and restore marriage equality to California.

Please join your friends and neighbors at the peaceful protest this Saturday. It is a nationwide event.

http://www.jointheimpact.com

[kat]

Oh the hypocrisy of the gay community. Take a moment to look at yourselves. You are willing to trample on the rights of others in order to get your own "deserved rights." It appears you will not be satisfied with being left alone, with civil unions or even marriage. Once gays can marry, they'll wage war and sue all those who don't support their lifestyle. The people have spoken twice and you still cannot accept the will of the people. So now you threaten (and carry out) violence and vandalism. You will never earn my sympathy or support.

Oh, and Margit, pray tell, exactly where in the bible does it "condone" slavery? It also mentions homosexuality, prostitution and murder but it doesn't condone any of them.

[Pablo]

I am not Gay. Been gay is not easy. Here are a few solutions...How about civil unions. Check out Elton Jones comments on Prop 8
http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2008-11-12-elton-john_N.htm
If you really want to solve your problems, try Mike Glatze's answer to homosexuality http://www.massresistance.org/docs/events07/Michael_Glatze/index.html Homosexuality can be cured. Just stop lying to yourself.

[Michael]

I am a 63 year old straight male who has been married to the same woman for over 33 years. I absolutely support the right of all people to marry the partner of their choice.
Getting married is supporting family values. I do not understand the claims of Prop. 8 supporters that gay marriage threatens "traditional marriage." BTW, traditional marriage meant that the wife had very few rights; she didn't even have the right to refuse to have sex with her husband. Also, the husband could beat his wife with a stick as long as it was no thicker than his thumb. Is that the "traditional marriage" means that is being "threatened" by same-gender marriage?

[Leta]

This is exactly what happens when people don't put their bibles away. This is what happens when you don't separate church and state, like what the constitution says.

It's cool to believe in what you believe in, but when you try to impose your moral beliefs on a society, this is what happens. conflict. religion becomes poison to society when one belief tries to dominate the other.

it just hurts everyone. all the LGBTQIA community is asking for is to get married. that's it. nothing else. why is that so hard? tolerating gay people while denying them of rights is not the same thing.

protect our children. lets ban divorce and cohabition. because the bible isn't ok with that either.

[Al]

Tax the churches. That will keep them out of political issues. We should start a petition to have the churches taxed.

[Jack Henry]

Straights are allowed to boycott and protest (religious and conservative groups do it all the time) but gay people don't have that same right? Ron Prentice and his supporters are hypocrites and homophobes.

[balancingact]

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should be available to all. Gays and anybody else should have that. I'm with that. I'm against anyone that will try and deny that-to anyone. However...

A struggle for a lifestyle, as fulfilling and legitimate as it may seem or is, is NOT the same as a struggle just to live, not to be murdered just based on you color or ethnics, is not the same as having a man wait outside while the landowner/master has his way with his wife, not the same as the struggle for the fundamental rights, including to vote, note the same as having all of your established towns and townships burned to the ground on a whim, not the same as losing over 30 million on ships in the passage...and so many other human rights-much less civil rights violations based and an entrenched bigotry and hatred founded in the roots of and aftermath of the "Old South" and the civil war.

The "Gay" struggle was closest to the historical fight for civil and human rights by Blacks when gays were being beaten on the streets and murdered just because. We know that experience very well. And because of it, many of us-if not all, were relieved and were grateful when gays received equal protections under the law and were able to attain treatment deserving of and entitled to citizens and human beings.

In fact, there are many of color who are with but are offput by the erroneaous and fallacious comparison. NO, no one has a monopoly on suffering but call a thing what it is. Give a name...a proper one.

There is a difference between not having the basic rights, freedoms, and equality that an American citizen should enjoy and many have died for and not being able to use a particular word that is biblical and clearly and distinctly relates to specific gender relation to characterize the union that gays have and enjoy. My concern is do you have the same conveniences, rights, and advantages that married couples do have? If you don't, THAT is the fight. If you DO, and simply want it to be called the same as the biblical union between a biological/physical man and woman-married-I feel for you, but I'm not with you...or that. I don't want to see you harmed or disenfranchised in any way, but that word does not belong to you.

[Chet]

I can't believe that the gay community would go so far as to push an elderly lady around because of her personal beliefs.

I thought our votes counted in America. If our votes our overturned then what is the point of teaching our children to vote.

Let's get something straight. If you want to be gay that is your choice, but you lose the right to be married. Marriage is a biblical word that is for Man and Woman to be united. God did not say man shall be with man, woman shall be with woman and bear no children.

You can't change the Bible to suit your needs. Sorry, but that is the truth.

There is no discrimination here.

Our fore fathers were based on Christianity, and America seems to have forgotten that.

We are living in selfish, greedy times and we must hold our ground and not be intimidated by the protestors and their behavior.

God Bless

[Vic Ferra]

For those of you who believes that it is not a big deal for Gays to get married...
You can do what ever they want in the closet just don't try to indoctrinate our kids. It's already is happening in Mass. It's more than a marriage issue it's about the kind of society we want to live in. Blacks, Latino and Asians are not minorities in other countries around the world so you cannot compare your "struggle" to theirs. Gays are minoirities in every country and culture. That's the diffierence! Everyone knows by instinct that is is WRONG. We don't need religion to tell us so! Why don't you go to Iran or Saudi Arabia and try to persuade them to change their culture? We are not against people with Homosexual tendencies. As long as you don't practice this distructive behavior it is fine by me. Don't drag the whole country down to the gutter with you. Vanity... Beware of what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah, and POMPEII. Learn the lessons of the past...

[Tony]

Lamotte, was correct in noting that gays attached a Black female senior citizen after finding that she voted Yes On 8. How flowery of grown men to pick a female senior citizen, of all people to take your aggression out on. Typical. People vote as they have the right to. Being gay and being born Black are in now way similar. There is absolutely no DNA data to prove you were born that way. Blacks and others should always choose God over idle threats from mere men.

[elpatron]

If gays want to live miserably like the rest of us married people, let them.
Misery loves company.
Besides, gay wedding parties would do wonders for the economy: can you imagine the lavish catering, decorations, gifts that gay marraige would generate?

[New Crusades]

Please, please, please. I voted for Adam and Even and not Adam and Steve!

A Gay Day Off sounds like a great idea. Off and so far away that we don't have to witness your vitriolic and violent attacks on Senior Citizens. The United States is a Republic and the Citizens of California have voted.

You would like to claim "Minority" status. Of course you are a minority of people who practice a deviant form of "sexual behavior" from my world view. It is your preference and not your right to do so and not to foist your belief system or conduct on the rest of us. You have all of the Rights and Protection that anyone has under the Constitution - Federal and State. Like bratty little children who don't get their way you are going to make "Them" pay.

Sin is stupid. Adultery is sin, as is pornography and cussing and selfishness and murder and coveting................ the list is endless. To make sure that you know: Saddleback does not teach or preach hate and violence. The love of Christ and God for all of us is what comes from the leadership and the members. That does not mean that sin does not have consequences it does. You want your sin without any stigma, limitations or conviction - forget the condemnation I gave above. I don't hate you. I'll pray for you.

[Bruce Butler]

We will protest Prop. H8 at the Saddleback Church once again on Sunday, November 16th, at 10:00AM. The address: 1 Saddleback Pkwy,
Lake Forest, CA 92630

[JDH]

This is great! Keep up boycotting businesses reflecting traditional values, attacking God fearing minorities, bashing the religions that actually have a backbone.
Ultimately, How can you stand to live and work with anyone who voted for prop 8? Stick it to all of them.
This obsession with punishing anyone with a view that differs from the Gay community will really cement the deal. I guarantee the next referendum won't even be close!

[ewp]

This is being handled differently in America because of how damn litigious the entire nation is. The country is run by lawyers and whenever some thumb-sucking special interest group gets their feelings hurt, they run crying to the government to pass new laws because their "rights" have been infringed upon.
Marriage of any type is NOT a right, never has been, and the government does not owe anyone a marriage. For four short months, some ultra left-wing judges exposed a loophole that made 48% think differently. Proposition 8 corrected that mistake.
This is not about hating gays, or bigotry or banning anyones rights. It is about protecting something that is special and in many cases sacred.I'm straight and a very active Mormon, I don't live in California, but I supported the HELL out of proposition 8. I became very invested financially and emotionally as I have three sisters in California. Never in all of my involvment did I hear or read of any supporter of prop 8 hating gay people.
Now that the prop passed, all of the losers are up to all kinds of sensless douchbagery. Keep it up and ya, people will start hating gay people, not because you're gay, but because everyone is acting like a bunch of spoiled kids.

[Leslie]

I was against Prop 8 and still am. Just like the people that held their Yes on Prop 8 signs on my street corner had the right to, so do the people who oppose Prop 8 have the right to boycott anyone they choose. It's called freedom of speech! I'm not gay and it makes me sick that gay people are denied the same rights that I have.

If people have the right to display signs and contribute money to support Prop 8, they should understand that everyone else can choose to boycott and spread the word of who supported Prop 8. It's their choice to. I hear that the boycotts could hurt people and businesses, but do those same people think the denial of marriage doesn't hurt anyone?

No on 8! I will always be against this and hope this is overturned.

[Anjela]

Boycotts and demonstrations are exactly the right tools to fight intolerance. Activity, not passivity is the way to go, and it's perfectly legal.

Most people in the movements for any kind of social change are not in favor of violence, but let's face it, the talk of violence is ingenuous, when virtually all violence has been against gays, not committed by gays.

I'm not part of the gay community but I and my entire extended family, some of whom are gay, are proud to be supporters of whatever legal actions the gay community unites around: legal challenges to the heinous denial of civil rights, legal boycotts and legal, peaceful demonstrations. And we will participate whenever we are able.

[Greg]

Everyone currently has the same equal right to get married in California.
Arizona and Florida passed traditional marriage laws this year without any help from the Mormon church. Arkansas passed a law against homosexuals adopting children. Don't blame the Mormons for what the majority of Americans already believe about gays and marriage.
There is absolutely no chance the Mormon church will lose its tax-exempt status. Other churches are much more heavily involved in politics, even to the point of endorsing candidates, and they've never lost their status.

[Jeff]

Those who wanted No on Prop 8, where will you before the election. No one was there at ralleys to vote no. There was no one there passing out fliers telling me how I should vote. Now that it is passed your angry. You should of been out there before the election promoting your cause. Now you are protesting that it did not pass. Out there in full force. Disrupting the lives of Americans, even those who may have voted no. You make them angry by making them wait in traffic, trying to get to their love ones, as you are trying to be with yours. Where were you????

[Paul Bronson]

Ok. I guess there is way too much emotion on this issue. 1st of all the "Mormon Church" didn't contribute any money to this campaign. Members of the "Mormon Church" were contributing significant amounts of money, though, and that is their legal right. 2nd of all - someone please show me in the constitution where the term "separation of church and state" is written. It's a figment of your imagination - although it is better for all if there is a separation of church and state it is not in the constitution. 3rd - exactly what "civil rights" are being denied to homosexuals? We, as a society have the right to define marriage. You do not have a "right" to marry whomever you choose. That is why siblings are not allowed to marry, and why polygamy is not legal. Society has defined marriage and will continue to have the right to define marriage. You have no "rights" that are being denied you. I guess what is so upsetting is that a majority of Californians have decided to not allow you - a very vocal minority - to redefine something for your own purposes that has already been defined. Please do not attempt to force the Judicial branch of our government to legislate from the bench by judicial fiat. That is not their purpose under the constitution. If you want a law passed please follow it through the legislative branch of the government as it was intended.

[Pete]

Hopefully the update the code to include polygamy. It is highly unfair to deny anyone the rights to multiple partners. What about incest? Why should you prohibit them? There is a fundamental difference between "skin color" and "urges". Just because I have the urge to kill someone does not mean I get to. Marriage is a special union used to help a society continue. It is fundamental gays cannot procreate. Those for Yes on 8 could care less what you do in your own home. Worst part is this group who talks and claims to preach the need for tolerance is a very hateful group. Please post the No on 8 supporters so we can be "fair" and in the same "tollerant" way run them out of business.

[Bob]

No one has assaulted Senior Citizens?

Just Watch This!

http://gatorgop.blogspot.com/2008/11/crazy-lefties-attack-old-lady-at-no-on.html

This is clearly an assault on the Senior Woman and the reporter that is with her!

[mrclmind]

"Gays have no idea what it really means to be treated as a second class citizen." Spoken like a true hetero. You have no idea what you are talking about. Do you know how many children are kicked out of their homes because they are gay? Do you know the suicide rate of Gay teens in this country? Can you honestly say you have never known of gay bashing, and gay hate crimes? It's all over the place. The reason people are in the closet is sheer self preservation, not because they think it's a fun place to be. You have absolutely no idea what it is like to be gay, yet you think you can espouse such rhetoric. It's this kind of talk that keeps us where we are. People thinking that there is no problem just because they choose to look the other way. If it's not happening to you then it doesn't matter, right?

I'm over it. I've been all about taking the high road for the past 44 years, and I'm done with it now. I don't need to apologize for myself, nor do I need the approval of the straight community. Gays have more disposable income during a recession than any other demographic, and we have every right to spend it where we see fit. It is one of the few places where we do have power in this world.

[Eric]

Hi -- as a married male who voted against Prop 8, I'd just like to remind people to take this opportunity to really think about and confront the stupidity and cruelty of religion. Religion has no place in progressive, modern, free society.

[Rob]

It really is amazing to see the events unfolding from Canada and see the choas that is spiraling out of control down in CA. While no to 8 supporters push for what they feel is their right and may win. The end result may be more than you wanted. The very nature and integrity of elections will be marginallized and lessened since they can be overturned by a mass of people in protests and in the courts. The tolerance that is so desperately being sought will turn to disregard and intolerance due to the angry and vengence oriented attitude of the mob. I feel for the gay couples who want to to thier own family thing and through the process work through it. People have not a lot of sympathy for the angry shouting mobs who condemn others in their attempt to force them to capitulate to their viewpoint. You may win the battle but will lose in the court of public opinion and may even set your movement back for years as people dig their heels in against it. I think a back away from the ledge approach will yield more results.

[Jim Angone]

I LOVE TO HEAR THE SUPPORTERS OF PROP 8 DECRIE ALL OF US WHO ARE PROTESTING THE PASSAGE OF 8 AS "unabashedly trampling on the rights of others".

WHY WOULDNT WE FIGHT FOR A BASIC RIGHT, GUARANTEED BY THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE, BUT DENIED BECAUSE OF THE REPEATED ATTEMPTS BY SUPPORTERS OF PROP 8 TO PREY ON THE PREJUDICES AND UNFOUNDED FEARS THEY HAVE OF TWO PEOPLE, OF THE SAME SEX, HAVING THEIR MARRIAGE RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE, NOT RELIGION, SO THEIR RIGHTS AS A MARRIED COUPLE ARE GUARANTEED.

TAKE AWAY THEIR RIGHT TO MARRY AND SEE HOW THEY WOULD JUSTIFIABLY PROTEST.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INDIVIDUALS RIGHTS ALREADY GRANTED TO TOHER CITIZENS. YOU NAME ONE RIGHT ONE CITIZEN HAS , DENIED ANOTHER. THE CONSTITUTION DOES NOT ALLOW THIS.

AS FOR LEAVING THE RIGHTS OF SAME SEX COUPLES TO MARRY TO THE VOTER, THATS A SLIPPERY SLOPE. WHEN DO WE HAVE THE NEXT PROP. TO VOTE ON THE RIGHTS OF AFRICAN AMERICANS, SPANISH SPEAKING PEOPLE, ASIANS, ETC.?

WE WILL NEVER LET UP ON THIS ISSUE, UNTIL JUSTICE IS DONE. IF YOU THINK YOU SEE THE FERVENT ATTITUDE OF THE PROP 8 SUPPORTERS, WAIT UNTIL YOU SEE THE UNRELENTING DEMAND BY SAME SEX COUPLES TO OBTAINING THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR COMMITMENT OF LOVE RECOGNIZED BY THE STATE.

[Jeff Griffin]

Every day that our Supreme Court doesn't step in and remedy this injustice to gay people, their anger and resentment will become more widespread and violent. What I don't understand is why it's taking the Court so long to make such an obvious decision. You don't affirm a basic human right for 3+ milliion Californians, and then, not even six months later, allow a slight plurality of eligible voters to eliminate this right, or even worse, pretend it never existed. That's simply outrageous, and as far as I'm aware it's unprecedented in our state's history.

[Next issue]

Prop. 8 won. Next item of business.

[yinbin]

You do not have to be tolerant of people who are INTOLERANT of you. Period. I really hope the supreme court will once again void this unfair proposition. Basic rights of an (innocuous) minority group should never be subjected to the whims and tyranny of a largely uninformed majority.

[Christians for Life]

God gave marriage to man and woman as a religious, holy, spiritual, and sacred covenant, to create children. So yes, Prop 8 IS all about religion and GOD!!!! "Same-sex" couples cannot make children, and therefore have not been granted the marriage covenant by God. This is a deliberate attack on the church, and on God Himself! You homosexuals, and supporters of them, are wrong to impose your sinful, detestable, abomination of a lifestyle as "marriage", and if you fear and respect the Lord our God at all, you will cease your support of overturning Prop 8.

The Bible says:

"Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion." Romans 1:22-27 (NIV)

"Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable." Leviticus 18:22 (NIV)

"for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine" 1 Timothy 1:10 (NKJV)

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NIV)

[Teena]

Dino you can't send African Americans back to a place they never been. You're about 200 years too late. If you don't know your history maybe you shouldn't speak on it.

[Christians for Life]

To Tem_DC,

You are right on! What you said is totally true, and so well spoken!

[Giselle]

Chris- In your post you say gay people can "choose" to be gay. I am curious can you tell me how as a heterosexual woman I choose to become a lesbian?
I'd love to find out, or at least choose to be bi.
There are so many more good looking women in LA, I'd love to have my "choice" of them. Unfortunately at this point I haven't figured out how to change my sexual orientation.
Can you tell me how?

[cee-jay]

I agree with Lamotte. And Ten_DC, I've read those laws as well and totally agree.

This isn't a Civil Rights issue, it is a moral issue, AND the morally correct have won.

[Paulo]

I'm from Brazil land am not gay. I agree with boycott of the gays in CA. They are correct fighting for the their rights. The better way is affecting the pockets of the tyrant religious and supporters of them.

The gays need to list all the business that supported the Yes Prop 8 and do a campaign via internet, radio e tv asking the people to boycott them. And also to register all the business competitors of this that supported it and do campaign in favor of them.

Other point to affect many Hispanic families there is to demand that illegal immigrants be deported to their countries or then that the reform of the migratory law be voted by American citizens too. Thus many Hispanics would be affected too why they have friends and families that are illegals there.

And also would be good the gays to realize a movement to tax churches there. They have so many money to manipulate people and spend with small things, but they have not money to help poor people. Why do they not spend their money to save lives in Africa and other parts of the planet?

Now I leave some important messages of Mahatma Gandhi to the Christians:

1) "I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ. The materialism of affluent Christian countries appears to contradict the claims of Jesus Christ that says it's not possible to worship both and God at the same time."

2) "I don't know nobody that has made more for the humanity than Jesus. In fact, there is not nothing wrong in the Christianity. The problem are you, Christian. You don't know to live its proper teaching."

[angela]

To the No on 8 community:

A few hundred years ago, a group of what was then largely perceived as "hooligans" threw a bunch of tea into Boston Harbor. Technically, what they did can be best described as vandalism.

And today, we look back upon these "hooligans" as patriots who had the courage to make a huge noise against a corrupt establishment.

A few years later many of these "hooligans" were at the start of an all-out war against the same oppressors. And, we look back upon this war with great pride and admiration.

Look, don't hurt anybody and start a war. But there is a harbor that needs a bunch of tea tossed in. PROTEST PEACEFULLY but LOUDLY in the way that would make MLK proud.

History will remember you as being on the righteous side.

[dep]

This is in regards to: You gotta love the African American religious folks who use the Bible to support their opposition to gays and gay marriage.

Clue to the clueless: The Bible condones slavery. Repeatedly.

Posted by: Margit | November 13, 2008 at 01:48 PM

Dear Margit

First, we must recognize that the Bible does not say God supports slavery. In fact, the slavery described in the Old Testament was quite different from the kind of slavery we think of today - in which people are captured and sold as slaves. According to Old Testament law, anyone caught selling another person into slavery was to be executed:

"He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death." (Exodus 21:16)

So, obviously, slavery during Old Testament times was not what we commonly recognize as slavery, such as that practiced in the 17th century Americas, when Africans were captured and forcibly brought to work on plantations. Unlike our modern government welfare programs, there was no safety-net for ancient Middle Easterners who could not provide a living for themselves. In ancient Israel, people who could not provide for themselves or their families sold them into slavery so they would not die of starvation or exposure. In this way, a person would receive food and housing in exchange for labor.

So, although there are rules about slavery in the Bible, those rules exist to protect the slave. Injuring or killing slaves was punishable - up to death of the offending party.1 Hebrews were commanded not to make their slave work on the Sabbath,2 slander a slave,3 have sex with another man's slave,4 or return an escaped slave.5 A Hebrew was not to enslave his fellow countryman, even if he owed him money, but was to have him work as a hired worker, and he was to be released in the year of jubilee (which occurred every seven years).6 In fact, the slave owner was encouraged to "pamper his slave

[the q]

This seems to me to be a Martin Luther King vs. Huey Newton strategy on winning the hearts and minds of the public.

King was moderate and peaceful and made massive progress in getting blacks "equality". Of course it took time and an amazing amount of patience in light of the bigotry and racism rampant in America.

The boisterous tactics of the Black Panthers perhaps impeded this progress as white America was revolted by the violence and venom of this movement.

The more vociferous and hateful the gay political tactics, the more alienation and consternation occur in the straight community.

I will give you the "straight" dope...most folks that I know voted yes on 8, but paradoxically would support the idea of legal, civil "unions", wherein those couples would have all the "legal" rights as heterosexual couples.

Gays and straights are much too hung up on the word "marriage" and however much you want to moan and kick and scream at the injustice, from a strategic political viewpoint, in the short term, gays should give up on the word "marriage" and work hard to get a comprehensive national law recognizing civil unions.

As a political strategist, I believe that YOU ARE pissing off alot of straight folk which obviously you need to persuade to vote in your favor.

Dressing up in drag on the steps of S.F city Hall and having that lunatic Gavin Newsome screeching about "whether you like it or not" did not help you cause.

Its obvious that the "gay" agenda is having traction, the voting percentage against gay marriage has greatly narrowed in the last 8 years.

By following a smarter, less confrontational political agenda and emphasizing civil union recognition in all 50 states FIRST, the road to having social approval of gay "marriage" will be much shorter than you think.

In short, the gay leadership and their tactics are too much like Cleaver, Newton and X and not enough like MLK.

You guys lost an election and gay marriage was abolished, whether in the words of Gavin Newsome "you like it or not".

The real issue is how to prevail.

Screaming intolerance, boycotts, and indignation do nothing politically to enhance the chances of overturning 8, but rather enhance the idiot opposition who uses this outrage to further rally the brainless voters.

Change your tactics and you will change the vote.

Read carefully some of the thoughtful comments here which take you to task on your strategies instead of disregarding them with your anger and bile.

After all the proof is in the electorate's pudding...and you lost. Unfortunately.

Please feel free to politely disagree with me.

[Geo]

"Ron Prentice, chairman of ProtectMarriage.com, wrote in a statement. "Tragically, some opponents of Prop. 8 who claim to cherish tolerance and civil rights are unabashedly trampling on the rights of others."

No one trampled on these people's rights!!! No one stopped them from making a stand on what they believe. No one censored their speech or took any rights away from them. People are reacting in an appropriate way to having their civil rights removed from the constitution!!! This guy really doesn't get it and doesn't want to take responsibility for his groups actions. What does he expect? Gays and their supporters are suppose to just keep supporting businesses and individuals that feel they do not deserve equal treatment under the Constitution. He took Constitutional rights away from people!!!!
Bigots are generally stupid ... this guy obviously thinks we are all just as as dumb as the folks who think they can take the gay dollar AND support gay inequality.

[corntrader19]

Homosexuals and Lesbians: I am sick and tired of your whining about tolerance and comparing your struggle to equal rights movement. How dare you compare your perverted lifestyle to that of a racial minority?! Minorities everywhere should be outraged that you have stolen their campaign. The "born gay" myth you are trying to spread is a lie. God said you chose to be that way (Romans 1:26). We are not hateful because we don't want you flashing your sick lifestyle in front of us. The only hate that is being spread is the hate that you are spreading.

[Demitrius]

Here is the Battlefield- as a Parent and a Soldier who entrusts my country to help take care of my children while I'm away I'm in shock! Why our my children being tought about homosexuals in kindergarden while I'm deployed?
How can you talk of Homosexuallity like the Civil Rights Movement?? You were not born a homosexual you chose to be a homosexual. What the heck is going on back home???

[Steve]

All I can say on this matter is this is a sad day in our country's history. If this proposition was placed on a ballot back in the 60's, 50's or earlier, the general consensus would be "are you out of your mind?". God instituted marriage, not man. Go to Him about it, not us.

[John]

All this discussion boils down to one thing. As Americans we have the right to vote and make choices. The vote has been made and the American people and people of California have spoken. Now we see those on the losing side of the vote using threats, demonstrations, misrepresentations, lies, and other methods of intimidation to try and bully others. The non-8 group seems to have become the Nazi's of the current day. They show religious discrimination, racial discrimination, threats of violence, and the restriction of others free speech. It is time for the non-8 group to be seen for what they are.

[PJ Finnerty]

Churches obviously need to lose their tax-exempt status. One thing churches hate even more than gays is paying taxes. Everyone in America pays taxes, it's high time churches paid their fair share.

[Sui Generis]

As I've mentioned before, I am confident that homosexuals will have the right to marry as well as every other right that is bestowed upon a married heterosexual couple by law. It's just a matter of time. And being a homosexual myself, I am absolutely confident that He will not deny me passage into His Kingdom just because of my sexuality. When all I'm trying to do is to better myself so that I may spread Love, Peace, Compassion & Happiness to others.

LOVE, PEACE, COMPASSION, HAPPINESS & FREEDOM - That is the covenant that I subscribe to.

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that the founders of Prop. 8 and it's supporters are fueled by hubris, fear, ignorance and for some, even hate.

As humans, it's no surprise that we're not perfect. So, in our incomplete understanding of the great scheme of things, dare we speak on His behalf? Dare we play judge, jury and executioner on His behalf? In the end, for those who back Prop. 8, if they actually take the time to educate themselves and interact with homosexuals, they will see that the only difference that separates us is who we choose to spend the rest of our lives with for better or for worse, for sickness and in health, till death do us part.

[CraigM]

The USA is SO hung up on religeon its almost laughable! It seems everything is done with the bloody Bible in mind even if its used to justify discrimination against your own citizens.

Until you can get away from all this religeous garbage, certain people will always be trying to take away basic human rights from someone else.
In this case gay people.

Keep up the struggle .........you will ultimately win over these crazies!
Best wishes from Australia.

[Julie]

Lamotte says "We ARE prepared to deal with you should you decide to come in our community...This is fair warning."

Are you serious? YOUR community? I have news for you Lamont....we are already in your community. Unfortunately, some are too afraid to come forward. YOU are the reason they are afraid. Shame on you! After all that has been done to see that YOU had civil rights.

[Echo1]

>>Beyond that being black is not immoral.

The U.S. Supreme Court disagrees with your statement that homosexuality is immoral. Go back and read Lawrence v. Texas. It was decided 6-3 and will not be overturned now that Obama will be appointing justices.

And ironically enough, that case involved a black gay male. You seek to discriminate against someone just like you--how very Christian that is.

[JA]

Chris says: Last I checked blacks cannot wake up one morning and say to themselves, "hmm I am tired of being black, I think I will be Asian today". but thinks gay people can. THERE is the reason close minded bigots think it's okay to hate. Being gay isn't a choice Chris. Do you think we want to be treated like this? Think about it for a bit then get back to us.

[Jenny]

Merdaud, were it not for homosexual fascists, like Ernst Rohm, who supported Hitler, there would have been no death camps, no nazi's. Homosexuals like him, brought what ultimately happened to European gays, on themselves, just as gays like you are repeating those mistakes with your racism and fascism. This liberal democrat will NEVER support any gay rights, in fact I willl oppose them, until you all purge your racist and fascist counterparts from your movement. You all disgust me. Since I was in my twenties, I supported gay rights, and gay organizations. I fought for rights of gays to adopt and be foster parents.. little did I know that those same gays might have been racist/fascistic. I don't consider myself as having lost anything, rather, the glbt community has lost my respect and support, at least until they purge themselves of the hatred that have reduced them to Hitlers in my eyes.

I'm not afraid of any backlash, in fact, since becoming aware of your racism and fascism, I felt motivated to join boycotts of any and all corporations and businesses that have anything to do with gays and their organizations. With many, many others like me, I'm boycotting the Ellen Degeneres show, and her corporate sponsers have been notified, I switched my insurance policies from Allstate to another company, because they are corporate sponsers of the Gay and Lesbian Center of Los Angeles, Island/Mercury Records, American Airlines, Apple Computer (I've informed them that rather than by a Macbook, and a new IPod for my two eldest kids, I'll buy a pc laptop, and something not an IPod. I'm not going to use ITunes any longer, and my kids and I were incredible customers of theirs, plus many many other corporate and business interests.

[JA]

All of you screaming about GOD... let US take it to Him as you've suggested. In the mean time butt the he** out. You are not Him. As a matter of fact He said "judge not lest ye be judge" or did you forget about that one?

[Karmon]

I strongly support homosexual marriages and poligamy. Why shouldn't we allow same sex marriage, get rid of speed limits, legalize drugs(hey it's my body), legalize poligamy, remove the drinking age, allow sex with animal(if it's condoned), allow pornagraph for everyone, remove the ban on buying cigarettes and guns?

[jeannette patterson]

I as a straight, married, soccer mom think Prop 8 is clearly hateful. "Christians" who donated and voted for this descriminatory amendment, need to take a step back, look at themselves and ask "do I have disdain for gay people". It is unAmerican and unConstitutional to single out a subgroup of Americans, and pass laws denying them civil rights availed to all the other Americans. Marriage is not a religious institution, it is civil, it is love,.... there are non-religious marriages ceremonies, buddist, jewish, catholic, mormon, etc. There is nothing distinctly religious about marriage that justifies descriminating against gay marriages. And, I in no way see how this threatens my 17 year marriage, or the institution of marriage. Prop 8 is absurd, hateful and wrong.

[ZG]

I think many people writing on this blog need to note that probably the main issue here is whether or not having a relationship validated with the title marriage is a right or not.

The question is whether marriage belongs to and has always belonged to the government as a right which the government then affords to its citizens, or if marriage has other origins. This involves a study of history and then a judgment call on the part of the voter.

So we have to answer the question for ourselves of whether or not marriage belongs to the government. I think many people realize this on some level but need to face the truth that this is the discussion people should be having.

Instead of saying "marriage is only for this group or that group" a person should be saying "from my point of view marriage does not solely belong to the government, therefore it is not a right but an acknowledgment of a form of a relationship." Or instead of saying "churches robbed me of my rights" a person should say "from my point of view marriage belongs to the government and that's the way it ought to be, therefore it is a right which has been taken from me."

We need to acknowledge the true issue because for the most part this isn't simply an issue of immorality vs morality. It is also overly simplistic to say "people were deprived of their basic human rights." That argument has not been settled yet.

[Kris]

LaMott

No one was threatening anyone's churches until the churches decided that political activism was on their agenda. You bought a pack of lies. That's your problem.

The senior citizen was never attacked, as a matter of fact, didn't she club some one with that giant cross she was lugging around? What was that, some kind of symbolism comparing her to Jesus? Really now.

[bserver10]

You know it's not like Christians can wake one morning and choose not to be Christian. They are born that way!

[Jonathan]

I'm surprized the "no on eight crowd" are getting only a minimal number of protestors. Nothing like the protests we had in the 60's. There have been a couple of good sized groups but the rest are small. Lot's of noise but little action. I would think if they really thought it was discrimination that they could get bigger crowds out. I think they really know it's about family values. How many people voted "No on Eight", I believe it was near five million. If you can't step it up, go home.

[johan]

I'm playing the tiniest violin for all the businesses that are being hurt by the Prop H8 boycott. They violated the first rule of business: Do not offend your customers.

They ticked off their customers and now those customers are taking their business elsewhere.

It never occurred to these business owners that gay people -- and friends and family of gay people -- use their services? They didn't know that gay people drive cars? That gay people eat food? That gay people -- how shocking! -- watch musical theater?

The reaction from the targets of the boycott is hilarious. These same self-righteous idiots have boycotted gay friendly businesses and any TV network that aired a gay inclusive programs. But now that these same tactics are being used on them they squeal like a stuck pig.

Remember your shrinking profit margin the next time your church tells you to support a hate campaign.

[XMAN AZ]

From Arizona;
To all my Fellow Gay and Lesbian family; the line in the sand has been drawn the fight now has come out of the closet as in the days of Stone Wall riots and the riots after Harvey Milks death who was shot by a homophobe; I nor my other half will not not give up our fight in Arizona as well. The lines in the sand have been drawn and religion will and all people who voted in favor of this will be held accountable.

To the so called Right wing bible thumpers you now cry fowl because in fact theres a black list with your names on it. To bad so sad; thats california law, you donated to Hate than stand up and say proudly that you hate GAYS why hide? Let your true colors show.
its now time to tax ALL CHURCHES and the next time some one who needs our support, who voted in favor of 8 will not get it.
It is now the new discrimination of the 21st centry and the Holly rollers who brought this fight on will realize WE WILL NOT GO QUIETLY INTO the night.

To para phrase Winston Churchill "Never in Human Kind has so much been regulated against so few"

[LibertarianMGM]

To the Yes on 8 bigots that wish to inflict their venom and violence upon me while I am driving around in my car, you may want to take heed when you see the "other bumper sticker" next to my No on Prop 8 sticker....

It says "I'm the NRA."

"Don't Tread on Me"

[Ex South African]

This is just like Zimbabwe - When Mugabe didn't win, he sent out his thugs to 'educate' voters - This is disgusting ! Who are the hypocrites now? You are no better than a third world tin-pot dictatorship - I came to this country for it's democracy - There is none here - it's no better than Zimbabwe

[fredc]

A sexual minority is "a group whose sexual identity, orientation or practices differ from the majority of the surrounding society." from Wikipedia. It includes lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender, and also "swingers, polyamorists or people in other nonmonogamous relationships, or people who strongly prefer sex partners of a disparate age." When you argue that gay marriage deserve constitutional protection because of minority status then other sexual minorities also deserve the same protection. You are saying group marriages, incest marriages, man/boy marriages should also have legal standing, they can have children, and teach their views to other children.

[Miguel]

Dear "Norco,"

Wow, that' s terrible to hear about all the churches that have been vandalized by rampaging homosexuals and their rampaging supporters in Norco! It's weird, I have two aunts there and the rest of my family in Riverside, but none of them has mentioned these shocking events to me! Weirder still, I can't seem to find any reports about this. Of course, Google turns up nothing (pro-homo bias!), but then again, neither does the Press-Enterprise (still more pro-homo bias!). You'd think, in such a small town, this would be a pretty big deal.

Please do provide me with a link to some website, or cite some sources that could inform me more about this outrage, that I'm totally sure has actually happened in real life.

(It's a bit tiresome to be continually lectured about morality by people who have no qualms about lying continually.)

[Jeremy]

I think it's funny that the bigot in this article called Gay men and women hypocrites for boycotting businesses and churches who gave money to prop 8. Boycotting someone for supporting a piece of hateful and discriminatory legislation does NOT violate ANYONES civil rights. I'm perfectly tolerant of the people who supported prop 8. I don't wish them any personal harm. However, if you vote to strip me of my rights, I will vote with my dollar and take it elsewhere!

Also I'm not sure where people in support of prop 8 are getting their info on supposed assualts against old women and things of that nature, but I would like to point out, that compared to other civil rights battles of generations before us, these have been majorly peaceful. I have no desire to vandalize a church. No one I know wants to vandalize anything. We'd like people to stop being ignorant, but that's about it. There are a few bad apples in every crowd. Like the Pro Prop 8 Prison Guard who taunted a lesbian couple with KIDS with his gun in Riverside.

No more Mr. Nice Gay... If you don't like equality, get out of America. We will have our rights!

[JayJonson]

Boycotts have a long history as a political tactic in the US. The Focus on the Family and other anti-gay groups are always boycotting some company for supporting gay rights. The Southern Baptist Convention even boycotted Disney because the company offered domestic partner benefits to its employees. I think businesses that supported Propostion 8 should be boycotted. I think Utah Tourism should be boycotted, including the Sundance Film Festival.

[Mary]

"Too bad the separate part wasn't the problem...the equal part was."

This is incorrect.

It was actually a point of contention and infighting amongst various civil rights groups whether to attach the equal part or the separate part, and the separate part won out. Go back and read Brown - it was determined that separate is inherently unequal.

"Marriage of any type is NOT a right, never has been, and the government does not owe anyone a marriage. For four short months, some ultra left-wing judges exposed a loophole that made 48% think differently. "

This is also incorrect. The US Supreme Court has more than once stated that marriage is a FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT. See Zablocki v. Redhail and Loving v. Virginia, among others. Incarcerated felons have the right to marry but gays do not. There is something profoundly wrong with that.

[One Realization]

BOYCOTT: ALMOND ROCA, BREMNER WAFERS, MOTHER'S CARNUBA WAX, BARDAHL OIL TREATMENT & MORE!!

A boycott of these items is in order, as well as a letter writing campaign to the companies that obtain their product containers from:

CONTAINER SUPPLY COMPANY INC., Garden Grove, CA
$526,500.00 total donation to YES ON PROPOSITION

Container Supply Co. manufactures containers for:
ALMOND ROCA, BREMNER WAFERS, MOTHER'S CARNUBA WAX, BARDAHL OIL TREATMENT & MORE.

These products need to be boycotted until they change container suppliers. DO NOT ALLOW THEM TO "CONTAIN" YOUR RIGHTS, OR THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS!

$526,500.00 total donation to YES ON PROPOSITION 8
-Container Supply Co., Inc. Garden Grove, Ca. $276,520.00
-Robert Hurtt, ( owner of Container Supply Co., Inc.) Garden Grove, Ca.$250,000.00

It goes without saying that only
PEACEFUL boycotts, letters and demonstrations
are appropriate.

WE ARE ALL ONE...
Some of us are just evolving slower.

http://onerealization.blogspot.com/
LOVE NOT 8!

[madhattress]

GLBT white folks you need to HOLD UP.

I'm a lesbian, I'm hurt by this too. But this racism has GOT to stop. I'm horrified by the "back to Africa" comment and the threats of "ready to go" style violence.

I am ready to go. I will be at protests. I will be taking my money to businesses that are GLBT-friendly. But I will not stand for my own people acting like bigots.

Our argument for security for our relationships and recognition for our loves are on the right side of history. We will win people over. But you are damaging us with this kind of bigotry.

And the right wing is fanning its flames (and quite possibly imitating gay people online to make it seem worse than it is).

And to all of those who say "the voters have spoken, it's done" - no movement for equality has ever thrown up its hands and gone home after a defeat. You dust yourself off, get up, and keep moving. That's how change happens.

[Ricky]

The only reason the Martin Lurther King holiday is recognized in Arizona today is due to the boycotts the state suffered from coventions that refused to book there due to the ridiculous and patently obvious racism of the state when it was the only state to initially refuse to recognize the holiday.

When enough business was lost - the state quickly reconsidered its position and formally recognized the holiday. Such is the power of the dollar in America.

Boycott any business - any state - any person - that contributed to the No on 8 campaign - period. Let the Mormons pick up the slack. While I certainly love the argument - just because we want to take away your fundamental rights as a US citizen and as a person - does not mean we do not still want your money - it does some how make one feel unappreciated.

BOYCOTT, BOYCOTT, BOYCOTT - and may every business that supported this hate suffer as a result - and hold the Mormon church accountable for their political activity! You want to play politics - then let's play.

[Sui Generis]

We will get our rights, and it will happen within this decade. I've read such a huge number of ludicrous statements from pro Prop. 8 supporters that there is beyond any reason of a doubt, that our cause for equality will prevail within a decade if even that.

I'm a homosexual, and I've been attracted to the same sex since as long as I can remember 4 or 5 y/o. So for those of you who convinced yourself that it is a choice and for whatever reasons choose to alienate us, ridicule us, hurt us and treat us less than human, my heart goes out to you for your ignorance and self-righteousness.

For those of you who so fervently quote the scriptures to justify causing hurt, strife, unhappiness, alienating us to the point where some of you could view us as less than human and other atrocities that you have inflicted upon your fellow brothers and sisters, I pray to God to touch your hearts so that you may see clearly.

You are not my enemy. You are but victims of an insidious device that has brainwashed and controlled people for centuries. And though you may not see my point now, your eyes and hearts will be opened one day.

For Lamotte, Chris, fredc and others who share their sentiments against homosexuals, you have my forgiveness and love.

When there's so much problems in the world, I cast my vote for Love, Compassion, Happiness, Freedom & Peace for all sentient beings.

[Get your religion out of our government]

Can't we simply be reasonable here, really! Let's say there is a minimum age for conset, and let's say they have to be human beings. As long as the parties fit into those two categories, let's let any minimum aged human being marry any other minimum aged human being and, for that matter, why not let them marry as many as they want? Who cares (other than the religous zealots and other "traditional-thinkers"). No harm - no foul. GET YOUR RELIGION OUT OF OUR GOVERNMENT, PLEASE!

[Jexer]

I was assaulted yesterday in broad daylight by some bigot who thought it was okay to grab me and shove me aside so that he could tear down a protest-prop8 rally flier.

He'd been tearing them down the whole block. I did nothing but stand in front of one.

Sure, there are wingnuts on both sides of this battle. Prop8 supporters can boycott all they want.. Big deal. They've boycotted OUR businesses for centuries.

They act as if we attacked them. Fine, they can hold that misguided perception if they want... but they escalated by revoking our freedoms and liberties. They're morons if they expect no retaliation for that.

[belchy]

To all those who argue that boycotts are wrong, three words:

MONTGOMERY. BUS. BOYCOTT.

People can decide to not do business with any organization for any damn reason they like.

[Rob]

Enough is enough! During the height of the AIDS pandemic, we were told to be grateful for any minuscule support from our government and leaders while our friends and lovers died by the hundreds of thousands. I believe the only way progress was made was through the persistent and heroic efforts of our grass roots leaders and groups. Now, today we are again faced with another destructive and deadly force -- hate. So, it's not coincidental that we honor our loved ones on World AIDS Day and continue to fight for what's right and fair. Let's send a LOUD AND CLEAR message to fellow citizens of California, the country and the world that enough is enough. It appears that kindness, patience and intelligence does not prevail so we need to make an impact where we will get their attention and respect -- with our money, or I should say, without our money. Whether you are gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, transgendered, or straight, sympathetic, intelligent and truly believe in the fair treatment for ALL Americans, I am asking you to stay home on December 1, 2008 and do NOT spend a penny of your money! We need to demonstrate how integral we as a people are to this state and it's financial viability. By staying home, not working and not spending any money, not even a penny, it will have an impact on this state that will certainly gain a lot of attention. And if the state needs to re-coup some revenue, I'd suggest that the Church of Latter Day Saints have their tax-exempt status revoked and begin paying taxes since it appears that they are actually a political action committee, not a non-profit religious organization. So, on December 1, 2008, PLEASE:
REMEMBER OUR LOVED ONES
STAY HOME
DON'T SPEND A PENNY
Enough is enough!!!
Please join me in the state-wide boycott on December 1, 2008! Please forward this onto anyone and everyone you know will help us make our voices heard. We need to unite and stand up against HATE!

[Heather T]

I would like to know how many days are protesters allowed to protest in front of the businesses that voted for prop 8. Seems like after a few days it goes from protesting to harrasment. if we were to protest the no on 8 people then we are biggots or they say we hate. I thought a BOYCOTT means dont go to the place? So why pickett? AND ARE TAXPAYERS FOOTING THE BILL FOR ALL THE EXTRA POLICE NEEDED AT THESE PROTESTS? What is sad is that the police have more important things to do. And the attacks that the no on prop 8 people are doing are making them loose more and more supporters. They are on witch hunts.... WHat about yes on prop 8 people we have rights to

[Jake San Diego]

NOT ABOUT EQUALITY!

Get it through your heads. Equality is making sure people are treated equally based on things out of their control, such as gender, skin color, or nationality. Giving equal treatment to those who don't deserve it is wrong. Rewarding those who CHOOSE to be immoral is wrong. Approving of such immoral acts in ANY way is wrong.

Homosexuality is unnatural, wrong, immoral, and always will be. Argue all you want, but that's how it is. The only reason it is growing is because good people are being blinded by the lies spread by homosexuals. Being intolerant of immoral acts is not hateful or bad. it is GOOD! It is standing up for decency. A nation that allows EVERYTHING will lose EVERYTHING.

[PW]

For those denouncing the Protestants who have resorted to violence: So are the rest of us. It is not like the majority of or even a large amount of protesters are resorting to violence or threatening violence, despite what people like Lamotte (commenter) seem to think.

Very few protesters have actually resorted to violence (there are always a few bad seeds within all groups). The protests and boycotts are almost entirely peaceful. So stop namedropping the very, very few instances of violence as if they mattered, they do not.

This movement is peaceful. I could probably dig up a few Yes on Prop 8:ers who resorted to threats and actual violence. Would that condemn all of the people who supported the measure as violent attackers? No.

Anyone who voted "Yes" is either misguided or a bigot. Or a misguided bigot.