One way to push for equality is through economic and political pressure, as in the divestment movement of South Africa. One part of this will be to make public the people behind the YES ON 8 movement. This means exposing who directly funded it, who indirectly funded it through a funding chain, and who is being funded by such organizations.
To explore this idea, I performed a bit of research using Google and opencampaigns.com. One money chain I found was this:
protectmarriage.com <– FIELDSTEAD & CO (Ahmasons) –> Robert Huff, CA assembly
Protectmarriage.com has raised nearly a million dollars for Prop. 8. One of their donors is FIELDSTEAD & CO, a group that was cited as one of the most influential evangelicals by Time.
Here is an excerpt of the Time article about influential Evangelicals:
Howard Ahmanson is an heir to the Home Savings Bank.
Fieldstead & CO. also funded politicians:
They didn’t directly fund Prop. 8, but they’re taking money from those that did.
This little bit of research is just a sample of what could be done. With collaborative software, this could be a joint effort, and the various funding chains could all be followed. Can such research help? Can we build a database where people can view businesses, politicians, etc. who are behind this discrimination? The SF Chronicle put a searchable database up prior to the election and the site was heavily used. It only showed direct funders, however. Many of the people funding yes on 8 are proud of it, but there is also that quiet segment who would rather their neighbors and friends not know. And perhaps more important, others who have indirectly funded 8 without even knowing it. Those are the folks who might apply persuasion and/or pressure with the greatest gains.
If you’re interested in such a project, email me at wolber at usfca dot edu.
What you’re proposing is intolerant and discriminatory in and of itself and borders on cultural terrorism. In America we have freedom of speech and thought; we can also support whatever causes we wish with our money without retribution. If you choose to fight whatever battle you perceive there is in the manner you propose above, by attempting to cram your sexual choices down society’s throat, you’ll only engender more rejection than you already have. Please reconsider.
I think it’s a great idea. We, as gay taxpayers and citizens, have a right to know who is denying us our civil, taxpaying rights. Let’s tell them how we feel, boycott their services… and exercise that much ballyhooed freedom of speech and thought so revered by sally.
Oh sally, it isn’t about sex… and if you had done any research whatsoever you would know that it is not a “choice”, either. But perhaps you are one of those who don’t believe in science, in which case I know I’m wasting my time addressing your comment at all.
Regardless, we will win this fight, whether the “sallys” of the country like it or not. We’ve had their ignorant intolerance disguised as religion crammed down our throats for far too long. And we are rightly fed up.
In response to those who claim that their gayness is not a “choice” because they are inherently “gay,” they should be told that God doesn’t happily “choose” to punish sinners but is forced to do so because He is inherently holy. Interestingly, the “non-choosing” gays are actually speeding up the return of Jesus as Judge. In Luke 17 Jesus discussed two practices occurring in a big way in Genesis: the “days of Noah” (physical violence) and the “days of Lot” (violence against God’s law – known today as sexual perversion). And He predicted that just before His return there will be a mysterious worldwide resurgence of both vices on an unparalleled scale which will be the behind-the-scenes work of unseen powers who will persuade many gays to fulfill Jesus’ prediction. To see a preview of Gaydom’s universal goal, Google “Zombietime” and click on “Up Your Alley Fair” which occurs regularly in Nancy Pelosi’s pigpen while cops are ordered to do no more than stand by and smirk at the illegal, kinky, child-abusing “rights” Obama approves of which children are allowed to view! But out of sight is San Francisco’s underground saint – San Andreas – who is awaiting his cue to get a big jolt out of all the faults of SF’s porn-protecting leaders! Finally, God-fearing folks are invited to pray for and support this “incorrect” internet ministry of ours.
Leanne
(PS – If Washington and Jefferson were to return, I’m sure they would prefer being with Christian patriots like Howard and Roberta Ahmanson than with brain-dead Al-GAYda terrorists at some SF festival!)
Hehehehe….”cultural terrorism.” There’s that “T” word being used again. The fear and hate continue it would seem. If this constitutes “terrorism” what do you say to the millions of Christians that for years have been throwing their weight around in boycotting networks and companies that don’t share their rigid views of what they incorrectly call Jesus’ perspective? I would say the religious right would therefore be…dare I say it….TERRORISTS.
However, I do agree with Sally when she says we have freedom of speech and thought; we can also support whatever causes we wish with our money without retribution. If by “retribution” she means physical or emotional harassment, I would agree. If she means using the power of your dollar to make your voice heard, I think she is wrong. America has long used boycotts on nations we feel are violating basic human rights as a way to make ourselves heard.
I think wherever in the world civil rights are being violated, we all have a right and perhaps even an obligation, to vote with our dollar.
On a side note, I am so tired of them using “the innocent children” as a place to hide their bigotry. What about the harm done to the children of married gays who now feel unsafe, unloved and threatened by their mere existence. If there is “harm” to result from Prop. 8, I say they are paying among the highest of costs.
Leanne had the audacity to claim that, “If Washington and Jefferson were to return, I’m sure they would prefer being with Christian patriots like Howard and Roberta Ahmanson than with brain-dead Al-GAYda terrorists at some SF festival.”
Really?
You ARE referring to the same founding fathers I am thinking of, right?
The ones who said things such as…
“The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion.” — George Washington
“Millions of innocent men, women and children, since the introduction of Christianity, have been burnt, tortured, fined and imprisoned; yet we have not advanced one inch towards uniformity.” — Thomas Jefferson
“In every country and in every age, the priest has been hostile to liberty. He is always in alliance with the despot, abetting his abuses in return for protection to his own.” — Thomas Jefferson
“I have found Christian dogma unintelligible. Early in life I absented myself from Christian assemblies.” — Benjamin Franklin
“Lighthouses are more useful than churches.” — Benjamin Franklin
“Thirteen governments [of the original states] thus founded on the natural authority of the people alone, without a pretence [sic] of miracle or mystery, and which are destined to spread over the northern part of that whole quarter of the globe, are a great point gained in favor of the rights of mankind.” — John Adams
“I almost shudder at the thought of alluding to the most fatal example of the abuses of grief which the history of mankind has preserved — the Cross. Consider what calamities that engine of grief has produced!.” — John Adams
No, I think it is indeed quite clear which side of the fence our founding fathers would be on. And, they would be rolling in their graves if they knew that religious wack-jobs continued to invoke their name in claiming that America is or ever ought to be some sort of theocracy.
Gary – Can you furnish sources for your quotes from Washington etc.? Leanne
Gary – I forgot to say that my quotes merely tried to show that early American leaders thought highly of the Bible and of God (in a non-denominational sense). Of course they separated church and state but not God and state. And of course (again) they deplored churchianity, especially the form of it that dominated Europe in the Middle Ages – one big reason why they established the free country known as America! Leanne
Gary – In my previous message I failed to list a Google article which lists some quotes you should see. The title is “Dangerous Radicals of the Religious Right.” Forgive me for being so disorganized, but I’ve had some pressures lately.
Leanne
pObYJE comment3 ,
Hello admin, I recently found your site from mixx as well as I study some of your other content articles.They’re useful. I highly recommend you keep on a great work.