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News & ArtsMonday, January 26, 2009
Homo Re: How'd That Happen?
Posted by Dominic Holden on Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 11:34 AM
As Dan mentioned earlier, gay activists spent the weekend scratching their heads trying to figure out just where the "No on Prop 8" campaign wandered astray. Well, for one, they could consider this yard sign that I salvaged from my brother's car:
"Unfair and wrong"? That's really compelling... to a toddler. Maybe "No on Discrimination," "Separate Is not Equal," "Civil Rights for All"—or other campaign slogans that touched on the issue—seemed too edgy at the time.
1
The first "No On 8" sign they made was much better. The one I got at the beginning of the election season said "Equality For All" instead of "Unfair & Wrong." I thought it was a more effective message and I was confused when they changed it. And the colors were better on the first one.
3
How about this:
Vote Yes for Gay Marriage.
Vote No on Prop 8.
Tell the truth...it sometimes works.
How about this:
Vote Yes for Gay Marriage.
Vote No on Prop 8.
Tell the truth...it sometimes works.
4
Was there a lot of ads about how stupid the laws are about only "immediate family" being allowed to see you in hospitals or how stupid insurance companies are about life insurance policies? That would be the most obvious injustices to anyone who's ever had to deal with hospitals or insurance companies. The realities of marriage isn't just about kids and romantic notions, it's about life and death too.
But if it turns out the straights don't care about everyone being able to have hospital visits and life insurance, the issue of gay marriage isn't going to go very far.
Some people don't have a humane bone in their bodies.
If you can get people to FEEL something, if you can get them to shed a tear because of it, there may be some hope yet.
But if it turns out the straights don't care about everyone being able to have hospital visits and life insurance, the issue of gay marriage isn't going to go very far.
Some people don't have a humane bone in their bodies.
If you can get people to FEEL something, if you can get them to shed a tear because of it, there may be some hope yet.
5
From an expert -
Fair is a bad word to use, because, there is no standard for its meaning and in focus groups people feel they have all been treated unfairly and that is just the way life goes on the old planet earth.
In the present recession, fair most likely the biggest joke word in use.
Nothing is fair, and no one expects that to change much.
Duh. Bad consultants indeed.
Fair is a bad word to use, because, there is no standard for its meaning and in focus groups people feel they have all been treated unfairly and that is just the way life goes on the old planet earth.
In the present recession, fair most likely the biggest joke word in use.
Nothing is fair, and no one expects that to change much.
Duh. Bad consultants indeed.
6
"Compelling to a toddler" is probably what we needed. Only a toddler's intellect or worse would vote to take away human rights.
7
#6
Yes, in the rainbow world.
But in real times many millions of mature adults do not like gay marriage... and vote against it in 30 elections.
Any ideas beyond the blanket scorn?
Yes, in the rainbow world.
But in real times many millions of mature adults do not like gay marriage... and vote against it in 30 elections.
Any ideas beyond the blanket scorn?
8
I still think they should'a tapped into the same neurosis that got this thing passed. "Don't let Utah Mormon's make laws for Californians", that sort of thing. It would have struck a chord with a lot of people.
9
Yes, who'd have expected great graphic designs from the artsy queer crowd?
How about "Prop 8 Kills Kittens"
How about "Prop 8 Kills Kittens"
10
8
Californians realize that it was Californians and not Mormons from Utah who voted for and passed Proposition 8. Dan's zombies are the only people on the planet who buy that crap. Insulting voters with Dan's neurotic fantasy would be a great strategy. If you like the bachelor life.
Californians realize that it was Californians and not Mormons from Utah who voted for and passed Proposition 8. Dan's zombies are the only people on the planet who buy that crap. Insulting voters with Dan's neurotic fantasy would be a great strategy. If you like the bachelor life.
11
#8: While I wouldn't go that far, but I do think going for the "don't mess with California's constitution--we're proud of our equality" angle might have worked.
Sort of the flip side to the "activists judges" strawman from the other side, take a "let California be California" attitude...the unspoken message being "ew, we're SO not Oklahoma, Arkansas, and all those other backward states with gay marriage bans".
Sort of the flip side to the "activists judges" strawman from the other side, take a "let California be California" attitude...the unspoken message being "ew, we're SO not Oklahoma, Arkansas, and all those other backward states with gay marriage bans".
12
How about MYOB?
Seriously, so long as we're not forcing churches or mosques at gunpoint to hold religious ceremonies, who cares?
Seriously, so long as we're not forcing churches or mosques at gunpoint to hold religious ceremonies, who cares?
13
#10 & #11 - what's with all the decency and logic? This whole initiative was dirty, and that's how it should have been fought. Remember the "yes" ads? Far more outlandish than what I'm suggesting.
14
I'm confused, Dominic. This "nice" campaign is exactly the strategy that ERW insists on forcing on the marriage equality movement here. Are you saying maybe they have the wrong strategy? Maybe this strategy has proven itself a failure, here and in California? If that's the case, why aren't they opening up and asking the community (um, you know, the people whose rights are being denied) for help in devising a new strategy? And, in case anyone didn't notice, they've decided on our behalf without our input NOT to fight for marriage equality this year. I guess they don't want to compromise rising Democratic darling Jamie Pederson, who's now chair of the very committee that for three years has refused to hear the previously proposed marriage equality legislation. ERW is nothing more than a political action committee for Pederson and Murray and its time to call them on it. Let's stop using the George Bush method of PR in which repeating a lie over and over makes it true. ERW is not at the forefront for lgbt rights in Washington. Helping gay politicians get elected and then advancing their careers is not the same as winning civil rights for all. Wow, that's radical
15
#14 ERW is not too interested in hearing what other Gay folk have to say because they are too busy being and doing ERW stuff. The other reason is the Gay citizens would load up the plate of ERW with "do this" "do that" demands and then stand by and watch ERW struggle and stagger to fulfill the Gay Citizens wish list. Few Gay folk are willing to do the heavy lifting.
Also, Gay Americans by in large are not political animals and hence are not very hard hitting with the In your face words. Being mean (as in You Meany) is not what ERW and other Gay groups want. What they generally want is a big group hug after we tell them of our Gay Family and how we're just a family and that our family is like your family and family is family is family. Then the heteros vote to deny family civil equality and ERW and other such groups stand with bewilderment and wonder what just happened.
It's too bad that often Gay politicians wait for the perfect confluence of stars, planets, and the entrails of animals to line up before they think it's a good time to ask for equality. In WA I know it's all about the economy. But for those not treated equally the economy is always bad. Every day, every week, every month, every year. It never gets better. So now of course IS the right time to beg, plead, ask nicely to be treated like Heteros.
Also, Gay Americans by in large are not political animals and hence are not very hard hitting with the In your face words. Being mean (as in You Meany) is not what ERW and other Gay groups want. What they generally want is a big group hug after we tell them of our Gay Family and how we're just a family and that our family is like your family and family is family is family. Then the heteros vote to deny family civil equality and ERW and other such groups stand with bewilderment and wonder what just happened.
It's too bad that often Gay politicians wait for the perfect confluence of stars, planets, and the entrails of animals to line up before they think it's a good time to ask for equality. In WA I know it's all about the economy. But for those not treated equally the economy is always bad. Every day, every week, every month, every year. It never gets better. So now of course IS the right time to beg, plead, ask nicely to be treated like Heteros.
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