Hatewatch Tweets
Hatewatch is managed by the staff of the Intelligence Report, an investigative magazine published by the Alabama-based civil rights group Southern Poverty Law Center.
Group Wants Next President to ‘Investigate’ LGBT Opponents
Earlier this month, the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), one of the most visible and active anti-gay marriage groups, asked all serious contenders for the GOP nomination for president to sign its so-called “Marriage Pledge.”
It some ways, it was just another pledge being sought from political conservatives, like the one that many Republicans have signed promising never to vote for higher taxes. The NOM pledge obligates signers to oppose same-sex marriage, support a federal amendment defining marriage as limited to one man and one woman, and back the appointment of judges and an attorney general who will “respect the original meaning of the Constitution” and defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which denies the legal federal benefits of marriage to same-sex couples.
No particular surprises there. But there is one especially sinister provision: the NOM pledge promises that signers, upon election, will “appoint a presidential commission to investigate harassment of traditional marriage supporters.”
NOM has a history of raising the specter of “harassment” by LGBT people against them and their supporters. Most recently, the group condemned “intolerable gay activist harassment” against Florida congressman Allen West, who does not support same-sex marriage. The harassment in question? The state’s Democratic LGBT caucus called for a boycott of businesses associated with members of the Wilton Manors Business Association in Broward County. West was scheduled to address the association, but the threat of a boycott caused the association to withdraw its invitation.
At the same time, NOM has been under fire for refusing to disclose its donors, which, the group claims, would lead to “harassment” of its funders, again from LGBT people and their supporters. Already, the group has lost campaign disclosure court cases in Maine and Rhode Island; in Minnesota, a state board that oversees campaign financial disclosures also rejected NOM’s bid. But the group has yet to release its donor list as it appeals the rulings against it.
The reality is that there’s little to suggest that religious-right organizations are being subjected to any substantial harassment by members of the LGBT community, outside of the occasional boycott. In fact, it is the LGBT community that is targeted for real harassment — criminal hate violence — far more than any other minority in America. A Southern Poverty Law Center analysis of hate crime data found that LGBT people were, on average, 8.3 times more likely to be attacked in a violent hate crime than would be expected on a per capita basis.
But NOM and likeminded organizations are losing the battle for public support, which is probably the real reason for its shrill and baseless accusations. A recent poll conducted in traditionally conservative Nebraska revealed that 73% of respondents there thought that LGBT people should be protected from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodation. Sixty-four percent agreed with allowing same-sex couples to enter into legal agreements with each other that would give them the same rights as marriage, and 56% backed the right of same-sex couples to adopt children.
on August 24th, 2011 at 8:15 pm
The next president? Are they kidding? Out of all the hate that has been spread around the last decade, they think Obama will not be re-elected? If they thought Obama won by a landslide last election, they best watch and see how he will win this time.
on August 25th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Have any potential candidates signed this pledge?
on August 25th, 2011 at 10:48 am
Bachmann, Santorum, and Romney have signed it:
http://newmexicoindependent.co.....age-pledge
on August 25th, 2011 at 11:47 am
I remember a story down in California where groups of gay men would smear excrement on the walls of the Mormon church.
Perhaps this falls under the definition of the harrassment they are worried about.
on August 25th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
You People are the ones full of hate specifically anybody at the southern poverty law center, you DESPISE ANYTHING THAT IS GOOD AND MORAL NO CHRISTIANS HATE HOMOSEXUALS BUT THEY C ERTAINLY HATE THEIR ACTIVITIES THE BIBLE SAAYS TO HATE OR ABHOR THAT WHICH IS EVIL, YOUR LAW CENTER HATES CHRISTIANS WITH A PASSION PLAIN AND SIMPLE SIN. SAM SPARKS
on August 25th, 2011 at 6:12 pm
Sam Sparks,
You honestly need to get a grip. It is for God to judge. “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Not your job man. How dare you proclaim that SPLC despises that which is “good and moral”? You are full yourself – it’s called delusions of grandeur. I could go on, but I will simply conclude with this: It’s a general truth that the miserable judge others in an effort to bring them down to their misery, as in the old adage, “Misery loves company”.
I hope you someday know the love of God. Peace.
on August 25th, 2011 at 9:37 pm
Please don’t use single quotes to set off a phrase (or a word). It’s inappropriate in U.S. English.
on August 25th, 2011 at 10:42 pm
Gee, I thought that it was the Gospels, the Epistles, then the Old Testament. Which revalation Changed the order of the primacy.
on August 25th, 2011 at 11:11 pm
Gee Sam, I didn’t know that racism/discrimination/violent race-related crimes were considered “good and moral”, since the SPLC vehemently opposes them. Oh, and you do know that, before starting the SPLC, founder Morris Dees had seriously considered becoming a Baptist minister, right?
on August 26th, 2011 at 12:11 am
Hey Sam, I hate to inform you that the US has this thing called separation of Church and state, which means it doesn’t matter what your Bible says.
I see no reason to believe that the SPLC is “hateful”, nor are you “good” or “moral”. I see absolutely no evidence that the hate Christians, as you claim.
@Todd- If you remember a story, do you remember a link?
on August 26th, 2011 at 1:50 am
Sam, who twisted your undies?
on August 26th, 2011 at 1:51 am
I have to say that as a gay woman living in America and friends with those of the Morman faith (who know I’m gay, by the way) I am offended that you would accuse SPLC of hating anyone. And while I understand that the bible says that what I do in my personal life is wrong, my friends feel that I am worthy of years of their friendship and support. They would tell an indivdual such as Sam Sparks that what I do or don’t do in my life is between me and God. So to all those who have all this hate, I’m sorry that your use all of your time with that weight in your hands and hearts. God has better intetions for you I’m sure. And while I share no faith with other religious people I appreciate and respect those who do. Don’t let your lives be so empty and meaningless that the best or only thing you have to do is hate others. We are ALL human,right, wrong, black yellow,brown, gay straight, christian, morman, jewish, whatever. I refuse to live my life in hate.
Thank you,
Khouri.
on August 26th, 2011 at 1:53 am
Oh, and I don’t recall the bible saying ANYTHING about hate. Hate is a human ideal, not God’s.
on August 26th, 2011 at 2:05 am
^
I think your real delusion is that almost everyone here but you is full of hate for the Caps Lock key.
on August 26th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
Rick Perry signed the pledge today.
on August 26th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
That sounds just terrible Todd! I’ve never heard of that before. Do you have a link to the news story?
on August 27th, 2011 at 5:10 pm
Khouri said,
“Don’t let your lives be so empty and meaningless that the best or only thing you have to do is hate others.”
What a powerful statement.
Brian,
You’re right. Using all caps is like yelling in one’s face. No one likes it.
on August 27th, 2011 at 7:18 pm
My personal opinion is:
If you believe that sexual orientation is a choice, you were probably born a homosexual and are choosing not to be gay but straight….why else would you so strongly believe that sexual orientation is a choice? So I encourage you to find your nearest LGBT organization and find support.
As a straight woman ,who has felt it has not been a choice for me to be straight, full heartedly believes that our sexual orientation is not a choice but a part of who we are when we are born, and I celebrate the diversity of humanity that allows us to all walk our own personal path.
Further more, why the hell would I care who you have sex with? The only person that concerns me is my husband. Besides that your intimacy is between you and your love.
I can’t help but wonder why anyone would get involved in what is happening in another’s bed? There are so many other things to worry about like why am I such a small-small minded, ugly hearted fool? Now there is something you all need to be putting your attention on…
God Bless Morris Dees and all those who are a part of the SPLC. You are truly the messengers of any higher power that speaks of love and compassion!
on September 16th, 2011 at 5:25 pm
@ Lauri J Owen:
The use of a single quote above (in the title) was done in accordance with the AP stylebook (used by journalists). If a word is to be placed in quotes, single quotes are used when that word is in the title.