Slog
News & ArtsThursday, September 3, 2009
Homo Stay Tuned
Posted by Dominic Holden on Thu, Sep 3, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Katie Blinn, the assistant director of elections for Washington State, will be sitting in a Tacoma courtroom later this afternoon with a DVD containing scans of every petition sheet for Referendum 71. If allowed by the presiding US District Court Judge, Benjamin Settle, she will release that DVD, immediately making the names and addresses of everyone who signed the petition—to put the rights of same-sex partners on the ballot—public record.
Today's hearing results from Brian Murphy, who blogs as the Gay Curmudgeon, filing a records request for the petitions in late July. He intended to post the information on WhoSigned.org, thereby enabling gay people to civilly confront those who signed the petition. But the referendum backers, Protect Marriage Washington, argued in federal court that releasing the names and addresses would cause petition signers “immediate and irreparable deprivations of their First Amendment liberties." The group said that “individuals whose names are already connected with Referendum 71 have been subjected to threats, harassment, and reprisals simply for exercising their First Amendment freedoms of speech and association.” On July 29, Judge Settle issued a temporary injunction that prevented the state from releasing the information, and he agreed to resolve the matter today at 2:30 p.m.
“Our attorneys feel very confident that the judge will lift the order and agree with us that the petitions are releasably public records,” says Secretary of State’s office spokesman David Ammons.
A Massachusetts’s based group, Knowthyneighbor.org, has agreed to convert the names and addresses on the petition sheets into a searchable online database. Tom Lang, the group’s director, says he hopes people can search the directory for the names of people they know—relatives, neighbors, political leaders—and push them to discuss LGBT rights. “Gays and lesbians and their allies need to breech that conversation gap and have those conversations with real people,” he says. “We have never told people what sort of conversations to have. You know what to do when you see these names.”
“Someone needs to reach out to them; we cannot demonize them or stereotype them on the whole, like they do to us,” he adds.
Assuming Blinn can hand over that DVD to Murphy this afternoon, the names of everyone who signed Referendum 71 will be posted within three weeks.
2
Dan Savage will personally go to their door, take their membership card, cut it into confetti (festive!) and throw it over their head.
3
Prediction - the Fed. Judge, Bush appointee, will rule for the other side and against disclosure.
The US Supreme Court in 1982 sheltered lefty political activity from disclosure, because of threat. They put in the ruling the threat need not be major. Or to have happened, or to be ongoing.... etc. This might be what is needed to justify blocking disclosure.
It is a very low, low, low judicial standard of threat.
Federal rights over rule all the state stuff and state policy ... remember that.
At this moment this fracas is not on message and a very poor campaign issue... no thanks to the narrow thinking self serving activsts who put us there.
Losers is the word.
The US Supreme Court in 1982 sheltered lefty political activity from disclosure, because of threat. They put in the ruling the threat need not be major. Or to have happened, or to be ongoing.... etc. This might be what is needed to justify blocking disclosure.
It is a very low, low, low judicial standard of threat.
Federal rights over rule all the state stuff and state policy ... remember that.
At this moment this fracas is not on message and a very poor campaign issue... no thanks to the narrow thinking self serving activsts who put us there.
Losers is the word.
4
Hey, completely OT here, but why has the Stranger and SLOG completely overlooked "What Would Brian Boitano Make" on Food Network? There's a wealth of material there -- from the OTT campyness of the first episode to the uproar in the gay community because he's not actually SAYING "I'm gay". What's with that, Dan???
5
It is great to hear the Secretary of State will finally be complying with State law.
Please folks let’s keep our energy focused on a positive civil debate. We do not need rampant media stories of how x or y person was harassed. It is also very important to remember that this is about protecting all Washington Families. As LGBT people and our families are traditionally the targets of threats/ intimidation and violence we must make it clear that event he suggestion of such a threat is abhorrent to us.
Please donate time and money to www.wafst.org to channel your energy in a productive way.
Please folks let’s keep our energy focused on a positive civil debate. We do not need rampant media stories of how x or y person was harassed. It is also very important to remember that this is about protecting all Washington Families. As LGBT people and our families are traditionally the targets of threats/ intimidation and violence we must make it clear that event he suggestion of such a threat is abhorrent to us.
Please donate time and money to www.wafst.org to channel your energy in a productive way.
7
"convert the names and addresses on the petition sheets into a searchable online database."
"search the directory for the names of people they know—relatives, neighbors, political leaders—and push them to discuss LGBT rights."
Do those who have been entrusted with protecting the citizens from harm really need more clear evidence of whats to come if they make a wrong decision in this matter? It's obvious what groups like Whosigned and Knowthyneighbor want to do, or better phrased, want to encourage others who see their sites to do to people who petition for Ref 71 on the ballot.
I said it before and i'll say it again, if the judge who's overseeing this wants evidence of what's about to be visited upon the signers of the petition, if he needs to see into the future, look at what's written here on Slog.
8
@7 ZOMG!1!!ONE! The horror of being "push[ed] to discuss LGBT rights!" Yeah. Sounds like these petition really need protection from the big, scary twinks. I mean, imagine the harm that actual conversation can have. It might even lead to understanding, acceptance, and peace.
Jesus and his alleged followers couldn't possibly stand for that to happen.
Jesus and his alleged followers couldn't possibly stand for that to happen.
9
@7 yeah, with threats like
'keep our energy focused on a positive civil debate'
and 'Dan Savage will personally go to their door, take their [gay] membership card, cut it into confetti'
and 'why has the Stranger and SLOG completely overlooked "What Would Brian Boitano Make," '
I can see why R71 signers are quaking in their boots.
'keep our energy focused on a positive civil debate'
and 'Dan Savage will personally go to their door, take their [gay] membership card, cut it into confetti'
and 'why has the Stranger and SLOG completely overlooked "What Would Brian Boitano Make," '
I can see why R71 signers are quaking in their boots.
10
"He intended to post the information ... thereby enabling gay people to CONFRONT those who signed the petition."
You're making it easy for the judge to block disclosure.
You're making it easy for the judge to block disclosure.
11
LC,
Here we go again.
A potential conversation doesn't even compare to the broad daylight stabbing of two trans women: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/08… on Aug. 26.
So, let me save you some time. I'm a bad Christian, because I expect you to understand the law in the state of WA that makes your signature legal public record. I'm a bad Christian, because I expect you accept the consequences of making your decision to sign, and with grace prepare your answer if your called, because you knew in advance that it was a possibility you'd be called on your actions. And, finally, I'm a bad Christian because I don't believe your threat of a possible conversation, compares to two trans women being stabbed to death, or the teen age girl who got kicked in the teeth while she sat on the curb outside a gay teen dance club (http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index…)
Now commence placing your gold star on your faux martyr cap.
Here we go again.
A potential conversation doesn't even compare to the broad daylight stabbing of two trans women: http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/news/local/08… on Aug. 26.
So, let me save you some time. I'm a bad Christian, because I expect you to understand the law in the state of WA that makes your signature legal public record. I'm a bad Christian, because I expect you accept the consequences of making your decision to sign, and with grace prepare your answer if your called, because you knew in advance that it was a possibility you'd be called on your actions. And, finally, I'm a bad Christian because I don't believe your threat of a possible conversation, compares to two trans women being stabbed to death, or the teen age girl who got kicked in the teeth while she sat on the curb outside a gay teen dance club (http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index…)
Now commence placing your gold star on your faux martyr cap.
12
@7: Kim and I have both urged you to come to Slog Happy, but you refused. Is this why? Because you think we'll physically attack you? Or are you simply not going to because you're a white guy concern trolling for fun?
In reality, your specious claims of probable gay-on-straight violence couldn't be further from the truth. In Oregon, there have been several door-to-door campaigns that were based on names found on anti-gay petitions or publications where outreach specialists visit hundreds of people. Of course, you wouldn't know about those because no violence has occurred and it falls under your radar.
And if we're to take comments here as meaning anything, does that mean comments against gay people should be proof that you shouldn't have the right to vote on our rights? Or comments on KOMO's website calling the gay pride parade "target practice", should we arrest anyone who says such a thing?
Please, tell me, Loveschild-- why is there a double-standard? Why do you think we'll commit acts of violence? Is it prior example, as you so often state, when you mention Lamb or minor attacks on churches? If that's the case, then you should be investigated for the potential toward violence, you being straight. After all, it was straight people who killed that man's brother. It was straight people who got Shepard. It was straight people who gangraped that woman in the Eastbay repeatedly. It was straight people who killed Angie Zapata. It was straight people who killed Brandon Teena. It was straight people who beat that couple in Seaside.
In reality, your specious claims of probable gay-on-straight violence couldn't be further from the truth. In Oregon, there have been several door-to-door campaigns that were based on names found on anti-gay petitions or publications where outreach specialists visit hundreds of people. Of course, you wouldn't know about those because no violence has occurred and it falls under your radar.
And if we're to take comments here as meaning anything, does that mean comments against gay people should be proof that you shouldn't have the right to vote on our rights? Or comments on KOMO's website calling the gay pride parade "target practice", should we arrest anyone who says such a thing?
Please, tell me, Loveschild-- why is there a double-standard? Why do you think we'll commit acts of violence? Is it prior example, as you so often state, when you mention Lamb or minor attacks on churches? If that's the case, then you should be investigated for the potential toward violence, you being straight. After all, it was straight people who killed that man's brother. It was straight people who got Shepard. It was straight people who gangraped that woman in the Eastbay repeatedly. It was straight people who killed Angie Zapata. It was straight people who killed Brandon Teena. It was straight people who beat that couple in Seaside.
13
I am so going to enjoy posting the names, addresses, and signatures of the people who signed this next to the Fremont Bridge.
14
"I said it before and i'll say it again, if the judge who's overseeing this wants evidence of what's about to be visited upon the signers of the petition, if he needs to see into the future, look at what's written here on Slog."
Exactly. Wait, you wanted evidence that bigotry still exists and needs to be stamped out by nonviolent means, right? Because you're not really proving anything other than your victim/martyr complex here.
Exactly. Wait, you wanted evidence that bigotry still exists and needs to be stamped out by nonviolent means, right? Because you're not really proving anything other than your victim/martyr complex here.
15
We need to see the public record because of alleged fraud by Protect Marriage Washington. The public deserves to know the truth.
P.S. Approve Referendum 71 to keep the domestic partnership law.
P.S. Approve Referendum 71 to keep the domestic partnership law.
18
The hearing has begun, folks, but the judge hasn't ruled yet. Everyone is still in the courtroom, a cell-phone-free zone. And it could be an hour (or more) before we know... Have a Manhattan like the rest of us.
20
12 Bacon, unlike you im very clear on whats right and what's wrong. I do not condone violence against anyone be them gay or straight, if you attack another person, if you publish their address and name on dvd's or "next to the Fremont Bridge"-see 13, in the hopes of intimidating them then im all for the authorities to step in and stop it. That goes for signers of the petition or for gay individuals involved in advocacy work for their ideology, i wouldn't want their names published (gay advocates like Savage or Holden) either because i know there are crazy people on both sides who will behave violently towards them. You deny the existence of said people on your side and that's why you see no problem with our names and addresses being given to people like Will in Seattle, but deep inside you, you know they exist and since what you really want is to silence those who want to protect traditional marriage you don't care about what others on your side who are prone to violence and acts of harassment might do to us when handed a weapon such as the dvd that Ms Blinn is tryin to hand to them. The end justifies the means to you and once the attacks start to happen you can just look the other way or argue as you've tried to in this thread that the same has been done to those on your side, so it's okay for violence or harassment to be visited upon us now. Its our turn now in your mind.
Wrong is wrong no matter how many ornaments you put on it, and if you support this you become an accomplice of anyone who engages in violence and harassment against others once this information is handed out to them.
Wrong is wrong no matter how many ornaments you put on it, and if you support this you become an accomplice of anyone who engages in violence and harassment against others once this information is handed out to them.
21
#15 - Hey, it is over, the petition drive is completed. About a 1,500 cushion, one of the cleanest drives in state history of such things.
You sound like sour grapes, waste of energy. Go to work to beat them - the drive is so over.We all need to get rid of the petition drive blues and go to WORK, everywhere and anything we can do.
Clyde
You sound like sour grapes, waste of energy. Go to work to beat them - the drive is so over.We all need to get rid of the petition drive blues and go to WORK, everywhere and anything we can do.
Clyde
22
18:
14:52 is too early to consume whiskey (I don't do Manhattans), the children aren't back in school yet.
14:52 is too early to consume whiskey (I don't do Manhattans), the children aren't back in school yet.
23
@20: So your rebuttal is that you never said things like the brothers who got attacked (one dying) deserving it, or that you never immediately claimed the gay couple was a pair of drug traffickers or prostitutes, and that you don't condone violence, even though you've tried to rationalize it?
On the opposing end, I've never once advocated violence against you and other anti-family/anti-equality activists, nor have I advocated silencing you. I've advocated, time and again, fair and legal means of legislating. Of course, your response to things like revelations of fraudulent signatures and impropriety has been to claim that I'm against your freedoms.
So basically, you're attempting to cloud the issue by saying that I have a secret knowledge of potential attacks and that I would be complicit in anything that happens. You know, instead of me actually not wanting our laws to be governed by secret votes and private donors by anti-family activists like yourself.
And the irony? Your "defenders of traditional marriage" used a list from a white supremacist website to figure out that Judge Spector was a lesbian. They took information and collated it for people like PMW to use when they wanted to defame or attack someone. But that's okay, because white supremacists are okay with you.
And you never rebutted the argument that you were probably some white guy. So there you have it.
On the opposing end, I've never once advocated violence against you and other anti-family/anti-equality activists, nor have I advocated silencing you. I've advocated, time and again, fair and legal means of legislating. Of course, your response to things like revelations of fraudulent signatures and impropriety has been to claim that I'm against your freedoms.
So basically, you're attempting to cloud the issue by saying that I have a secret knowledge of potential attacks and that I would be complicit in anything that happens. You know, instead of me actually not wanting our laws to be governed by secret votes and private donors by anti-family activists like yourself.
And the irony? Your "defenders of traditional marriage" used a list from a white supremacist website to figure out that Judge Spector was a lesbian. They took information and collated it for people like PMW to use when they wanted to defame or attack someone. But that's okay, because white supremacists are okay with you.
And you never rebutted the argument that you were probably some white guy. So there you have it.
24
"in the hopes of intimidating them then im all for the authorities to step in and stop it"
Why are bigots such craven cowards?
Why are bigots such craven cowards?
25
Lovechild is just trying to change the conversation because if we talk about what is really at stake, she loses.
What's at a stake:
Death benefits for firefighters and police officers
Adoption rights (no unfair $3000 charges for same sex couples)
Benefits for seniors (62 and older)
Medical benefits
The right to leave your sea urchin fishing license to your surviving partner
etc. etc.
What's at a stake:
Death benefits for firefighters and police officers
Adoption rights (no unfair $3000 charges for same sex couples)
Benefits for seniors (62 and older)
Medical benefits
The right to leave your sea urchin fishing license to your surviving partner
etc. etc.
27
23 You couldn't be more wrong in your line of thinking. Say what you will, I don't want anyone's, a-n-y-o-n-e's, private information (that includes Spector's) like their names and addresses released to others.
lol, by the way I don't need to prove my race to you or anyone else in here, those who hold bigotry against me do so immediately once they see me and those like me from far away. I cannot hide my ethnicity or keep it in the bedroom since it is not a behavior but part of my physical appearance.
lol, by the way I don't need to prove my race to you or anyone else in here, those who hold bigotry against me do so immediately once they see me and those like me from far away. I cannot hide my ethnicity or keep it in the bedroom since it is not a behavior but part of my physical appearance.
29
@27: Wait, so you think all violence against gays is because they chose to act some way out in public? So it's our fault, basically? So you lied when you said you don't condone violence? We're supposed to act a certain way in public, otherwise it's our fault because we didn't "hide" ourselves in, say, a closet?
On top of that and the load of crap you heaped to start your response, I'm beginning to see a pattern. Cowardice, martyrdom, lying, scheming. Nobody suffers like Loveschild suffers.
On top of that and the load of crap you heaped to start your response, I'm beginning to see a pattern. Cowardice, martyrdom, lying, scheming. Nobody suffers like Loveschild suffers.
30
@27
Please tell me how leaving a professional fishing license for sea urchin fisherman to their surviving partner harms so called traditional marriage?
Please also tell me how allowing a firefighter who dies trying to save your life or someone else's life harms so called traditional marriage?
Why is Canada okay? Canada has had same sex marriage for years now without any problems.
Please tell me how leaving a professional fishing license for sea urchin fisherman to their surviving partner harms so called traditional marriage?
Please also tell me how allowing a firefighter who dies trying to save your life or someone else's life harms so called traditional marriage?
Why is Canada okay? Canada has had same sex marriage for years now without any problems.
31
@27: So your bigotry is against people you can't even tell you hate until you talk to them? Your hatred is much more insidious, you're right.
32
"those who hold bigotry against me do so immediately once they see me and those like me from far away. "
And we don't need to see you or meet you to know that you're a bigot, your words are enough.
And we don't need to see you or meet you to know that you're a bigot, your words are enough.
Advertisement
Most Commented on Slog
-
Hating People Doesn't Make Them Thinner by Jen Graves
-
Los Angeles Gay Bar Bans Bachelorette Parties Until Marriage Equality Is Attained by David Schmader
-
Fill in the Blank by Grant Brissey
-
This Reminds Me of the Great Calculator Scare of the Late '70s/Early '80s by David Schmader
-
Idiot Tries to Defend Bigoted Anti-Gay-Marriage Preacher on Anderson Cooper by Paul Constant
-
SL Letter of the Day: Putting It In by Dan Savage
-
Six Moms with Too Much Time on Their Hands and a Shitty Website Decide to Fight Gay Superheroes by Paul Constant
-
Why Mayor McGinn's Wife Canceled Her Family's Seattle Times Subscription by Eli Sanders
-
What the Hell Is Wrong With Seattle's Pride Parade? by Dominic Holden
-
Meet the UW "Swagga Suit" by David Schmader
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (32) RSS