KnowThyNeighbor.org

Church’s Exorcism of Gay Teenager Is Child Abuse and Fanaticism Disguised as Faith

By Wayne Besen, Posted June 26th, 2009

Shocking Video Reveals Underbelly of ‘Ex-Gay’ Ministries

NEW YORK – Truth Wins Out condemned Manifested Glory Ministries in Bridgeport, Conn., for practicing child abuse in the name of religion, after a video surfaced where the church tried to exorcize demons from a gay teenager.

“This video reveals the underbelly of the ex-gay ministries and shows the medieval mindset of such organizations,” said Wayne Besen, Executive Director of Truth Wins Out. “We call on all such ministries to immediately stop the child abuse, which is harm in the guise of healing. As an organization that helps victims of such barbaric practices, we can attest to the psychological trauma that can result.

The exorcism video shows a teen writhing on the ground as adults implore so-called “homosexual demons” to get out. The leaders yell at the boy on the ground saying, “Right now in the name of Jesus, I call the homosexuality, right now in the name of Jesus.” This scene unfolds for 20 minutes with the boy in a near seizure, even vomiting.

Patricia McKinney, pastor of the nondenominational church who describes herself as a prophet, told CNN that she believes homosexuality, like crack addiction can be influenced by demons.
“It’s not just the homosexuality spirit. It could be the alcohol spirit, the crack cocaine spirit, the adultery spirit. Everything carries a spirit,” McKinney told CNN.

Unfortunately, this terrifying incident is not unique. It is a standard part of groups such as Exodus International, which promise to help people “pray away the gay.”

Scott Gortikov, MassEquality Executive Director, Snubs and Slinks Past Fellow LGBT Protesters to Attend DNC Fundraiser 

Boston, MA June 23, 2009  What seemed right out of the movie Dr. Zhivago, in the scene where on the eve of Revolution, protesters crying out for rights were snubbed and ridiculed by the elite , so there was the Join the Impact protest rally today outside of Fenway Park. Organized by Paul Sousa of Join the Impact/MA the protest rally at this DNC Fundraiser with Vice President Joe Biden was meant to tell the Democrats and the Obama Administration that the time has come to pass some substantive LGBT Rights Measures.  No longer will LGBT continue to write checks to, volunteer on campaigns for, or vote for Democrats until this national embarrassment of segregation and inequality ends.

This protest certainly made party goers uncomfortable.  Many did not know what to make of this LGBT demographic that most always voted Democrat in exchange for open-ended promises and some "yet to be determined" rights.  Lt. Governor Tim Murray was one of the first to show up, who though standing 15 feet away from protestors, could not even turn to look at us.  Next came Mayor, I Love the Gays, Menino who stepped out of his car with his entourage, purposefully stood with his back to us while we chanted his name and begged him to look at us.  What seemed like many minutes he would not look or even turn his head. 

  

But the most disturbing of all was MassEquality's Executive Director Scott Gortikov, who walked straight into this $250 to $5000 a head event, again as we called his name he put a cell phone to his ear and feigned ignorance of his fellow LGBT, arrogantly looking straight toward us, yet looking through us. Gortikov's disgusting display of indifference creating an "us and them" division left gay protestors speechless and angry.

I thought long and hard driving back to the Northshore thinking why MassEquality would even have been at this DNC event.  Of course Gortikov knew Join the Impact was going to protest.  It was even endorsed by Pam Spaulding's  Pam's House Blend as well as Sue O'Connell's One in Ten. Some might say that MassEquality should have been inside, "talking to Democrats about the plight of LGBT."  Then why the embarrassment in acknowledging fellow LGBT who were doing the right thing in a respectful way?  Why did Gortikov not come over to the protesters and say, "thank you for being here today, let me tell you what I am going to do inside this fundraiser.  I am going to be advocating for us all..."  Why?  Because Gortikov was NOT attending this event to do the job he was hired to do, nor does he feel he is obliged to explain anything to us--the ones who pay his salary.  We were truly a liability for him, a distraction, an embarrassing display.  And in his mind it was better to sleeze into this event on pretense that somehow he missed us.  I have a question for him though.  Scott Gortikov, did you attend this event for free, did you pay for the ticket out of your own pocket or did you use LGBT Community PAC money to hobnob with Biden while giving us the bird?

This is not the first time that high profile LGBT leaders in Massachusetts have been held to question.  It was KnowThyNeighbor.org who called out MassEquality Board Chair Ellen Zucker for being on a Hillary Clinton Host Committee back in 2007 and Goodridge Decision plaintiff couple David Wilson for also publicly taking a side for a candidate who, like Barack Obama believed marriage to be between a man and a woman.  The group that joined other LGBT in crucifying Kerry Healey during her run for Governor for being pro-civil unions continue to deify Presidential candidates for the exact same stand.  And for what?  Power of course.  Muzzling up to power, star fucking...and all on the LGBT community's dime.

I think it was pretty clear to all who attended the Join the Impact, Money Talks Protest  tonight, that there are two types of LGBT--those who are "connected" and those who are not.  A two class system within our ranks.  One that is fighting for the right to live equally in this country and the other class which has joined the ranks of the oppressors.  Bought off, cheaply.  LGBT are finally realizing that we can blame the Republicans, we can blame the Democrats, but the truth behind it all is that we need not look too far from home to see who is really keeping us from accessing our Equal Rights.

Painfully,

Tom Lang, Director

Hello folks! We all know how successful KTN has been at bringing the GLBT community the dialog it needs to initiate change for the better in our world. Since Kris Mineau and the VoteOnMarriage.org group are floundering for funds I thought this might be a great opportunity to remind people that they can donate to our cause and counter the dollars collected by the local anti-gay groups. Here is a video of Kris making his pitch to his supporters, and below that you'll find a link to donate to KTN.

Thanks for the support we have already received, know that your contribution to KTN is a non-profit tax deductible donation and will go to further our grassroots efforts in the future.

DONATE

~John Hosty-Grinnell

How gullible or stupid are Mainers? Those I knew who grew up there can disparage the locals, but it's hard to believe they'll buy the bull shoveled at them in the drive to overturn same-sex marriage.

An excellent recap of the current machinations appears in today's Press Herald. A big point is that with typical hypocrisy, the anti-equality forces will throw every outside resource they can into the battle. This is precisely what they say is a major sin of progressives and pro-LBGT types.

After a season of staccato losses deafening the nation to their panicked shrieks, the anti folk seem determined to delay SSM from becoming reality there. In that effort, they first hired the California public-relations shop that ran the successful Prop. 8 campaign there to stop gay marriages. This is the same group who produced the nonsensical ads of confused little kids saying that even hearing about same-sex couples was just too much for their little brains.

Moreover, the anti-gay leader, National Organization for Marriage, primed the pump with $60,000 to one local group, Stand for Marriage Maine. The latter group has hired Hessians professional signature gatherers, Michigan's National Petition Management, for $45,000.

If so much wasn't at stake, that sig-drive move would be amusing. The bar for such a Maine People's Veto requires just under 56,000 signatures gathered by the middle of September. Even in a low-population state, that's an extremely low number. You would suppose that if Mainers were against SSM, they wouldn't need outside money and foot soldiers to take this minimal step.

The Press Herald quoted lonely Equality Maine as saying they'd be ready for this battle. At this point, they are clearly outgunned and outspent. They'd likely have to rely on real Mainers to defend the law that the legislature passed and governor signed after much public testimony and debate. They do at least have a contribute page on their website.

It remains to be seen if their academic expert is right that the anti-equality effort may backfire. University of Maine's Amy Fried thinks the locals won't like the outlanders' messing with their business. The political science professor said,"It shows that the national organizations opposed to marriage equality see Maine as an important place to take a stand. It will be getting national attention; this will be watched around the country."

However, she added, People in Maine do not like what they might see as outside interference. We have our own political culture, we have a high degree of civility, a high degree of civic engagement."

Progressives should not leave this to chance. The slick and dishonest PR used in the Prop. 8 drive did fool a lot of people, enough to edge the vote. While not long ago, Mainers refused to buy similar tactics to overturn gay-rights legislation at the ballot, the foreigners are throwing money and people at Maine. They may figure the locals are too ignorant or stupid to think for themselves. Presenting both sides of this story will require money for the good guys as well.

Cross-post: This also appears at Marry in Massachusetts.

~Mike

Anti-Gay Petitions Circulating in Washington State Have Finally Surfaced to the Anger of Gay Community.  Secretary of State's Office Goes on Record Defending the State's Policy of Allowing "Lies" and Deception To Be Printed on Actual Petition Sheets

You are reading this correctly.  Thanks to our friends over at The Stranger for their in depth reporting on Referendum 71, the ballot initiative that would repeal Washington's expanded Domestic Partnership Law, LGBT are getting probably the clearest look to date of a corrupt system that has had great successes nationwide in stripping rights away from and hurting countless families. 

Voter deception, fraud and bait and switch run rampant in signature collection for ballot initiatives. Usually petition sponsors pass that liability onto "paid signature gathering firms" such as now are being used to collect signatures for the Anti-Gay Referendum in Maine and had been in Massachusetts back in 2005 where any charges of mis-conduct can easily be brushed off as the sponsor's inability to control "the sub-contracted labor's sub-contracted labor" hired to collect signatures.  But Washington is the first state that these lies clearly meant to deceive are allowed by law to be printed on the actual petition sheets.  David Ammons, the Washington Secretary of State's spokesman told The Stranger, "The state supreme court has said you can lie in campaign utterances and campaign materials.  We have no jurisdiction over extra words and sales pitches that sponsors choose to put in petitions."  

"Extra words and sales pitches," I guess, is "Olympia Nice" for voter fraud.  A ballot initiative intending to reverse Domestic Partnership Protection in Washington being sold to voters as a referendum to "protect marriage as between one man and one woman,"  especially since in Washington same-sex marriage is illegal, is clearly fraud.  And so is the other "highlight" of Ref 71, "If same-sex marriage becomes law, public schools K-12 will be forced to teach that same-sex marriage and homosexuality are normal...even over the objections of parents.  Sign R-71 to protect children."  Look to the full report on The Stranger for photos and breakdown.

So where is the outrage from the LGBT community?  We may not see any from the leadership at Equality Washington as this campaign to protect LGBT families was described to me as intended to be a quiet one, meant not to upset the Washingtonians who are "nice on the outside" but on the inside allegedly much different.  KnowThyNeighbor.org has never experienced systemic criticisms this severe for daring to suggest that signing a public petition which would take away rights from and hurt families comes with a "social responsibility" of ownership of that act.  Those criticisms stemmed not only from a clearly fore-warned Josh Friedes of Equality Washington but from members of the press as well as the Secretary of State's office.  One journalist actually told me emphatically that it was my job to talk to people about gay and lesbian headed families, however, it was not my job to educate voters on the initiative petition process.  Steve Excell, the Assistant Secretary of State for Washington, in a telephone conversation told me that the SOS has no intention of pursuing a lawsuit against KnowThyNeighbor.org for posting the names of Ref 71 signers as it is common practice for political parties and special interest groups to request and receive the same information.  However, KTN's strategy "does not work well in (our) state even though it works elsewhere."  Excell said and that he does not want Washington voters "to be embarrassed" by finding their names on our website.  "Embarrassed??" such as those Washingtonians who find themselves for whatever reason in hard times and unable to pay their taxes and can be seen on this state website? 

Washington voters should be embarrassed to put their names on Referendum 71 for two reasons.  First and most importantly because Referendum hurts families, there is no debating that fact, but secondly because Ref 71 is the child of a system that allows for Washington voters to be misled, lied to, and outright deceived--legally.  Washington voters should be equally outraged as well as should the gay community that neither state legislators nor Equality Washington have protected voters by reforming Washington's initiative process.  The Secretary of State's Office told KnowThyNeighbor.org that we are not welcome because it wants to insure the "integrity and protect the initiative process."  A few days later Josh Friedes of Equality Washington cautioned us about criticizing the lies on the Ref 71 petition sheet as he put it, "many Progressives (in this state) use the petition system too..."   You draw the conclusion.

One thing is for sure now that this overtly demonstrative anti-gay petition sheet surfaced spewing its lies in bold print before Washington voters, that the dynamic of signers has changed.  No one signing this gets a pass anymore because he or she "just wants to put every petition before the voters"  or that they did not understand the intent of Referendum 71.  So much for "integrity" Mr. Secretary.

Tom Lang, Director

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 8, 2007

WHOSIGNED.ORG REFUTES INTIMIDATION CHARGES; WILL POST NAMES OF PETITION SIGNERS AS PLANNED

Seattle, WA - Despite criticism that making public information more accessible to the public amounts to intimidation, Whosigned.org and its national partner KnowThyNeighbor.org announced today that they will proceed with plans to post online the names of Washington citizens who sign the anti-gay petition known as Referendum 71.

"These charges of intimidation ring hollow," said Brian Murphy, director of Whosigned.org. "People should be directing their outrage at the movement to eliminate basic rights and protections for LGBT families, not at the gay community for using its democratic rights to protect itself."

Responding to criticism from within the gay rights community, Murphy said, "Some think that by asserting our rights as gay Americans, we make others feel uncomfortable.  Well, I refuse to compromise the security of my family to make those attempting to dehumanize me feel more comfortable. I don't want to be nice. I want to be equal. And I want to be equal now."

While some allege that petition signers will become the targets of organized harassment, Aaron Toleos, co-director of KnowThyNeighbor.org, says, "Such claims are irresponsible, incendiary, and totally untrue. There is no organized plan to confront petition signers. In fact, we have never advocated for this and don't think it's constructive. No one is going to be knocking on random doors. It just doesn't happen."

What does happen, says Toleos, is that conversations are triggered between people that already have a personal connection like friends, relatives, and neighbors. "These conversations can be uncomfortable for both parties," he said, "but they are desperately needed to break down stereotypes and to help both sides realize how much they actually have in common."

KnowThyNeighbor.org has partnered with grassroots organizations to publish petitioner information in states across the country including Oregon, Arkansas, Florida, and Massachusetts. "Citizens approach petitions more thoughtfully once they realize it is a public document," says Toleos, "and we believe this makes the system stronger."

KnowThyNeighbor.org's website has also been pivotal in exposing petition fraud and has led directly to civil and criminal investigations.

While he acknowledges that some find it surprising to learn that petition information is a matter of public record, Toleos says, "Anyone that is honest about wanting a clean, transparent process should welcome the scrutiny that our website makes possible. And if they don't, you should wonder why."

# # #

CONTACTS

Brian Murphy, Director, Whosigned.org
(206) 313-1175 / brian.murphy.wa.usa@gmail.com

Aaron Toleos, Co-Director, KnowThyNeighbor.org
(978) 821-4620 / aaron@KnowThyNeighbor.org

Tom Lang, Co-Director, KnowThyNeighbor.org
(978) 335-0477 / Tom@KnowThyNeighbor.org

Bless 'em, a few minutes ago (5:20 p.m. Eastern), N.H. Gov. John Lynch signed same-sex marriage into law. He and the House tossed it back and forth until they had nothing left to compromise on.

As expected, today was the final legislative passage of compromise wording on one bill, wording to add fairly absurd rights for wedding-related businesses to turn down working on ceremonies of homosexual couples based on conscience. Those are lawsuits just waiting to happen.

That makes four of six New England states for equality — Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire. Maine sort of is, having passed SSM, but staying it while the anti-gay forces try to repeal it through a plebiscite. Only Rhode Island is in limbo, waiting for the staunchly anti-homosexual governor to run out another two years of his final term.

In the end, N.H. is a testament to the future of SSM in the country. Assuming the actions pushing a federal suit to force marriage equality go nowhere, such state-by-state, states-rights based decisions will erode the amendments and laws forbidding homosexuals marrying.

In this case, the governor wanted it all ways. Although nominally a Democrat, he really seems an opportunist. Up there, they elect a governor every two years and have no term limits. Only crimes, boneheaded decisions or boredom would drive one from office. Lynch seems to have figured he could pretend to simultaneously support pro- and anti-SSM forces. It looks like he has pissed off the former and annoyed the latter. I'm sure he can sell real estate or insurance.

~Mike Ball

Washington State’s Ref. 71 Petitioners to Have Names Posted Online 

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

Seattle, WA, June 1st, 2009 –

WhoSigned.org, a grassroots organization of Washington State residents, announced today that it would make the names of Referendum 71 petitioners looking to overturn the expanded domestic partnership law accessible online.  The law would grant same-sex and senior couples (over 62 years of age) in state registered domestic partnerships the same rights as married couples.

The petitioners have until July 25th to collect the necessary 150,721 signatures, a minimum of 120,577 signatures plus a recommended buffer of 25%, to place Referendum 71 on the November 2009 ballot.  If they are successful, the new law will not go into effect as expected on July 25th and could be overturned by voters on the November 2009 ballot.

WhoSigned.org will make the petitioners names accessible online once the petition has been verified by the Washington Secretary of State and has become part of the public record.

“This is about taking responsibility,” said WhoSigned.org director Brian Murphy.  “Petition signers are choosing to prolong discrimination against fellow citizens who pay taxes, contribute to their community and care for their families. This can’t be allowed to happen in secret and without a frank public discussion. We hope that potential petition signers realize the serious consequences their actions will have on gay and straight couples and their families.”

WhoSigned.org expects Washington State’s pro-equality citizens to use its online tools to find the names of people they know, and talk with those people about the real world impact of their actions.  “Conversations like these can be uncomfortable, but they are necessary for people to understand how vital these basic rights and protections are for gay and straight families alike.”

WhoSigned.org was originally formed in response to Referendum 65 which sought to overturn the bill establishing limited domestic partnership rights for same-sex and senior couples in Washington State.  Referendum 65 failed to get the required signatures and no names were published online.

WhoSigned.org is partnering with KnowThyNeighbor.org, a national gay rights group that has worked with other grassroots organizations to publish petitioner information in several other states including Massachusetts, Florida, Arkansas, and Oregon.

If You Are Looking To Beat Up Some Queers, Welcome to Massachusetts.  From Provincetown to Boston's South End to Gloucester It Appears That Hunting Season On Gays Is Now Open.  But Who Ever Thought The Latest Gay Bashing Would Be In a Boston Municipal Court Room  

A very dangerous precedent was set last week by Judge Thomas Horgan in Boston who handed down a two year suspended sentence to gay-basher Fabio Brandau, 29, for his brutal attack on a group of gay people last August in Boston's South End.  Brandau and three other attackers left two men so badly beaten that they were sent to the hospital with major concussions.  "Fucking faggots," were the words being used by Brandau continually throughout the assault.  On May 27th Brandau pleaded guilty to nine criminal charges and four civil rights violations however, Judge Thomas Horgan felt that Brandau's realized penalties for this should only include paying the victim's medical bills, an order to stay out of the South End, an order to stay away from the victims, and a court sponsored "anger management" program.  So much for those out there who believe hate crime legislation is a crock of shit, evidently in Judge Thomas Horgan's courtroom it is.

The Fenway Community Health Center's Violence Recovery Program's Emily Pitt, provides statistics that hate crimes increase during times of extreme anti-gay rhetoric such as one finds during the "dialogue" caused in legislative reviews of LGBT rights such as our fight for marriage equality and the media reporting.  One wonders what sort of additive effect a stupid and reckless decision such as Judge Thomas Hogan's has on hate crimes here in Massachusetts.  One can only summise that Judge Hogan has opened the door to alot more of the same.  

Boston/South End Gay Bashing 2008/2009:  BayWindows 

Provincetown May 2009: Boston Herald  

Gloucester April 2009:  Boston Globe 

Boston/South End Gay Bashing 2008:  BayWindows via Edge 

Provincetown Summer of Hate 2007:  Cape Cod Times

--------------------------------------------------

Tom Lang, Director  KnowThyNeighbor.org

With loopholes big enough for trained dogs to jump through, the New Hampshire legislature and Gov. John Lynch look like they have a workable compromise all can approve. It's likely that Wednesday this coming week will be the day for a tweaked bill to get to Lynch and him to sign it.

To placate the anti-gay and anti-marriage equality sorts, the revised bill ended up today with wording even stronger than Lynch proposed when he sent it back to the lawmakers for revisions. The concurrence committee of both houses put in broad conscience exemptions for nearly anyone connected with the wedding business.

As the AP writer put it:

The new version, which is expected to come up for a vote Wednesday, adds a sentence specifying that all religious organizations, associations or societies have exclusive control over their religious doctrines, policies, teachings and beliefs on marriage. It also clarifies that church-related organizations that serve charitable or educational purposes are exempt from having to provide insurance and other benefits to same sex spouses of employees. The earlier version said "charitable and educational" instead of "charitable or educational."

That could very well end up in Law Suit City if enough regressive sorts put their hands to their foreheads sighing that they sensibilities are being ravished by having to deal with homosexuals. Or, as Rep. Anthony DiFruscia put it more colorfully, "Hypothetically, if I'm a Nazi... do I now get an exemption because my conscience says if you're not blond and blue-eyed, I can discriminate against you?"

Regardless the governor was looking to pretend that he forced religious protection into this bill. Pretty much what he was asking for was already law and it was the fringe added to the canopy he proposed. The range of the compromise committee was a single sentence, plus one more word to the entire bill.

It looks like Wednesday will be wedding day.

Cross-post note: This also appears at Marry in Massachusetts.

~Mike Ball

MassEquality Crosses Picket Line At Join The Impact Protest of DNC Fundraiser with Joe Biden

Scott Gortikov, MassEquality Executive Director, Snubs and Slinks Past Fellow LGBT Protesters to Attend DNC Fundraiser 

Boston, MA June 23, 2009  What seemed right out of the movie Dr. Zhivago, in the scene where on the eve of Revolution, protesters crying out for rights were snubbed and ridiculed by the elite , so there was the Join the Impact protest rally today outside of Fenway Park. Organized by Paul Sousa of Join the Impact/MA the protest rally at this DNC Fundraiser with Vice President Joe Biden was meant to tell the Democrats and the Obama Administration that the time has come to pass some substantive LGBT Rights Measures.  No longer will LGBT continue to write checks to, volunteer on campaigns for, or vote for Democrats until this national embarrassment of segregation and inequality ends.

This protest certainly made party goers uncomfortable.  Many did not know what to make of this LGBT demographic that most always voted Democrat in exchange for open-ended promises and some "yet to be determined" rights.  Lt. Governor Tim Murray was one of the first to show up, who though standing 15 feet away from protestors, could not even turn to look at us.  Next came Mayor, I Love the Gays, Menino who stepped out of his car with his entourage, purposefully stood with his back to us while we chanted his name and begged him to look at us.  What seemed like many minutes he would not look or even turn his head. 

  

But the most disturbing of all was MassEquality's Executive Director Scott Gortikov, who walked straight into this $250 to $5000 a head event, again as we called his name he put a cell phone to his ear and feigned ignorance of his fellow LGBT, arrogantly looking straight toward us, yet looking through us. Gortikov's disgusting display of indifference creating an "us and them" division left gay protestors speechless and angry.

I thought long and hard driving back to the Northshore thinking why MassEquality would even have been at this DNC event.  Of course Gortikov knew Join the Impact was going to protest.  It was even endorsed by Pam Spaulding's  Pam's House Blend as well as Sue O'Connell's One in Ten. Some might say that MassEquality should have been inside, "talking to Democrats about the plight of LGBT."  Then why the embarrassment in acknowledging fellow LGBT who were doing the right thing in a respectful way?  Why did Gortikov not come over to the protesters and say, "thank you for being here today, let me tell you what I am going to do inside this fundraiser.  I am going to be advocating for us all..."  Why?  Because Gortikov was NOT attending this event to do the job he was hired to do, nor does he feel he is obliged to explain anything to us--the ones who pay his salary.  We were truly a liability for him, a distraction, an embarrassing display.  And in his mind it was better to sleeze into this event on pretense that somehow he missed us.  I have a question for him though.  Scott Gortikov, did you attend this event for free, did you pay for the ticket out of your own pocket or did you use LGBT Community PAC money to hobnob with Biden while giving us the bird?

This is not the first time that high profile LGBT leaders in Massachusetts have been held to question.  It was KnowThyNeighbor.org who called out MassEquality Board Chair Ellen Zucker for being on a Hillary Clinton Host Committee back in 2007 and Goodridge Decision plaintiff couple David Wilson for also publicly taking a side for a candidate who, like Barack Obama believed marriage to be between a man and a woman.  The group that joined other LGBT in crucifying Kerry Healey during her run for Governor for being pro-civil unions continue to deify Presidential candidates for the exact same stand.  And for what?  Power of course.  Muzzling up to power, star fucking...and all on the LGBT community's dime.

I think it was pretty clear to all who attended the Join the Impact, Money Talks Protest  tonight, that there are two types of LGBT--those who are "connected" and those who are not.  A two class system within our ranks.  One that is fighting for the right to live equally in this country and the other class which has joined the ranks of the oppressors.  Bought off, cheaply.  LGBT are finally realizing that we can blame the Republicans, we can blame the Democrats, but the truth behind it all is that we need not look too far from home to see who is really keeping us from accessing our Equal Rights.

Painfully,

Tom Lang, Director

KTN Counter Fund Raiser!

Hello folks! We all know how successful KTN has been at bringing the GLBT community the dialog it needs to initiate change for the better in our world. Since Kris Mineau and the VoteOnMarriage.org group are floundering for funds I thought this might be a great opportunity to remind people that they can donate to our cause and counter the dollars collected by the local anti-gay groups. Here is a video of Kris making his pitch to his supporters, and below that you'll find a link to donate to KTN.

Thanks for the support we have already received, know that your contribution to KTN is a non-profit tax deductible donation and will go to further our grassroots efforts in the future.

DONATE

~John Hosty-Grinnell

Outsiders Bought for Maine Anti-SSM Drive

How gullible or stupid are Mainers? Those I knew who grew up there can disparage the locals, but it's hard to believe they'll buy the bull shoveled at them in the drive to overturn same-sex marriage.

An excellent recap of the current machinations appears in today's Press Herald. A big point is that with typical hypocrisy, the anti-equality forces will throw every outside resource they can into the battle. This is precisely what they say is a major sin of progressives and pro-LBGT types.

After a season of staccato losses deafening the nation to their panicked shrieks, the anti folk seem determined to delay SSM from becoming reality there. In that effort, they first hired the California public-relations shop that ran the successful Prop. 8 campaign there to stop gay marriages. This is the same group who produced the nonsensical ads of confused little kids saying that even hearing about same-sex couples was just too much for their little brains.

Moreover, the anti-gay leader, National Organization for Marriage, primed the pump with $60,000 to one local group, Stand for Marriage Maine. The latter group has hired Hessians professional signature gatherers, Michigan's National Petition Management, for $45,000.

If so much wasn't at stake, that sig-drive move would be amusing. The bar for such a Maine People's Veto requires just under 56,000 signatures gathered by the middle of September. Even in a low-population state, that's an extremely low number. You would suppose that if Mainers were against SSM, they wouldn't need outside money and foot soldiers to take this minimal step.

The Press Herald quoted lonely Equality Maine as saying they'd be ready for this battle. At this point, they are clearly outgunned and outspent. They'd likely have to rely on real Mainers to defend the law that the legislature passed and governor signed after much public testimony and debate. They do at least have a contribute page on their website.

It remains to be seen if their academic expert is right that the anti-equality effort may backfire. University of Maine's Amy Fried thinks the locals won't like the outlanders' messing with their business. The political science professor said,"It shows that the national organizations opposed to marriage equality see Maine as an important place to take a stand. It will be getting national attention; this will be watched around the country."

However, she added, People in Maine do not like what they might see as outside interference. We have our own political culture, we have a high degree of civility, a high degree of civic engagement."

Progressives should not leave this to chance. The slick and dishonest PR used in the Prop. 8 drive did fool a lot of people, enough to edge the vote. While not long ago, Mainers refused to buy similar tactics to overturn gay-rights legislation at the ballot, the foreigners are throwing money and people at Maine. They may figure the locals are too ignorant or stupid to think for themselves. Presenting both sides of this story will require money for the good guys as well.

Cross-post: This also appears at Marry in Massachusetts.

~Mike

Anti-Gay Referendum 71: Washington State Officials Sanction Voter Deception

Anti-Gay Petitions Circulating in Washington State Have Finally Surfaced to the Anger of Gay Community.  Secretary of State's Office Goes on Record Defending the State's Policy of Allowing "Lies" and Deception To Be Printed on Actual Petition Sheets

You are reading this correctly.  Thanks to our friends over at The Stranger for their in depth reporting on Referendum 71, the ballot initiative that would repeal Washington's expanded Domestic Partnership Law, LGBT are getting probably the clearest look to date of a corrupt system that has had great successes nationwide in stripping rights away from and hurting countless families. 

Voter deception, fraud and bait and switch run rampant in signature collection for ballot initiatives. Usually petition sponsors pass that liability onto "paid signature gathering firms" such as now are being used to collect signatures for the Anti-Gay Referendum in Maine and had been in Massachusetts back in 2005 where any charges of mis-conduct can easily be brushed off as the sponsor's inability to control "the sub-contracted labor's sub-contracted labor" hired to collect signatures.  But Washington is the first state that these lies clearly meant to deceive are allowed by law to be printed on the actual petition sheets.  David Ammons, the Washington Secretary of State's spokesman told The Stranger, "The state supreme court has said you can lie in campaign utterances and campaign materials.  We have no jurisdiction over extra words and sales pitches that sponsors choose to put in petitions."  

"Extra words and sales pitches," I guess, is "Olympia Nice" for voter fraud.  A ballot initiative intending to reverse Domestic Partnership Protection in Washington being sold to voters as a referendum to "protect marriage as between one man and one woman,"  especially since in Washington same-sex marriage is illegal, is clearly fraud.  And so is the other "highlight" of Ref 71, "If same-sex marriage becomes law, public schools K-12 will be forced to teach that same-sex marriage and homosexuality are normal...even over the objections of parents.  Sign R-71 to protect children."  Look to the full report on The Stranger for photos and breakdown.

So where is the outrage from the LGBT community?  We may not see any from the leadership at Equality Washington as this campaign to protect LGBT families was described to me as intended to be a quiet one, meant not to upset the Washingtonians who are "nice on the outside" but on the inside allegedly much different.  KnowThyNeighbor.org has never experienced systemic criticisms this severe for daring to suggest that signing a public petition which would take away rights from and hurt families comes with a "social responsibility" of ownership of that act.  Those criticisms stemmed not only from a clearly fore-warned Josh Friedes of Equality Washington but from members of the press as well as the Secretary of State's office.  One journalist actually told me emphatically that it was my job to talk to people about gay and lesbian headed families, however, it was not my job to educate voters on the initiative petition process.  Steve Excell, the Assistant Secretary of State for Washington, in a telephone conversation told me that the SOS has no intention of pursuing a lawsuit against KnowThyNeighbor.org for posting the names of Ref 71 signers as it is common practice for political parties and special interest groups to request and receive the same information.  However, KTN's strategy "does not work well in (our) state even though it works elsewhere."  Excell said and that he does not want Washington voters "to be embarrassed" by finding their names on our website.  "Embarrassed??" such as those Washingtonians who find themselves for whatever reason in hard times and unable to pay their taxes and can be seen on this state website? 

Washington voters should be embarrassed to put their names on Referendum 71 for two reasons.  First and most importantly because Referendum hurts families, there is no debating that fact, but secondly because Ref 71 is the child of a system that allows for Washington voters to be misled, lied to, and outright deceived--legally.  Washington voters should be equally outraged as well as should the gay community that neither state legislators nor Equality Washington have protected voters by reforming Washington's initiative process.  The Secretary of State's Office told KnowThyNeighbor.org that we are not welcome because it wants to insure the "integrity and protect the initiative process."  A few days later Josh Friedes of Equality Washington cautioned us about criticizing the lies on the Ref 71 petition sheet as he put it, "many Progressives (in this state) use the petition system too..."   You draw the conclusion.

One thing is for sure now that this overtly demonstrative anti-gay petition sheet surfaced spewing its lies in bold print before Washington voters, that the dynamic of signers has changed.  No one signing this gets a pass anymore because he or she "just wants to put every petition before the voters"  or that they did not understand the intent of Referendum 71.  So much for "integrity" Mr. Secretary.

Tom Lang, Director

Whosigned.org Refutes Intimidation Charges; Will Post Names of Petition Signers as Planned

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
June 8, 2007

WHOSIGNED.ORG REFUTES INTIMIDATION CHARGES; WILL POST NAMES OF PETITION SIGNERS AS PLANNED

Seattle, WA - Despite criticism that making public information more accessible to the public amounts to intimidation, Whosigned.org and its national partner KnowThyNeighbor.org announced today that they will proceed with plans to post online the names of Washington citizens who sign the anti-gay petition known as Referendum 71.

"These charges of intimidation ring hollow," said Brian Murphy, director of Whosigned.org. "People should be directing their outrage at the movement to eliminate basic rights and protections for LGBT families, not at the gay community for using its democratic rights to protect itself."

Responding to criticism from within the gay rights community, Murphy said, "Some think that by asserting our rights as gay Americans, we make others feel uncomfortable.  Well, I refuse to compromise the security of my family to make those attempting to dehumanize me feel more comfortable. I don't want to be nice. I want to be equal. And I want to be equal now."

While some allege that petition signers will become the targets of organized harassment, Aaron Toleos, co-director of KnowThyNeighbor.org, says, "Such claims are irresponsible, incendiary, and totally untrue. There is no organized plan to confront petition signers. In fact, we have never advocated for this and don't think it's constructive. No one is going to be knocking on random doors. It just doesn't happen."

What does happen, says Toleos, is that conversations are triggered between people that already have a personal connection like friends, relatives, and neighbors. "These conversations can be uncomfortable for both parties," he said, "but they are desperately needed to break down stereotypes and to help both sides realize how much they actually have in common."

KnowThyNeighbor.org has partnered with grassroots organizations to publish petitioner information in states across the country including Oregon, Arkansas, Florida, and Massachusetts. "Citizens approach petitions more thoughtfully once they realize it is a public document," says Toleos, "and we believe this makes the system stronger."

KnowThyNeighbor.org's website has also been pivotal in exposing petition fraud and has led directly to civil and criminal investigations.

While he acknowledges that some find it surprising to learn that petition information is a matter of public record, Toleos says, "Anyone that is honest about wanting a clean, transparent process should welcome the scrutiny that our website makes possible. And if they don't, you should wonder why."

# # #

CONTACTS

Brian Murphy, Director, Whosigned.org
(206) 313-1175 / brian.murphy.wa.usa@gmail.com

Aaron Toleos, Co-Director, KnowThyNeighbor.org
(978) 821-4620 / aaron@KnowThyNeighbor.org

Tom Lang, Co-Director, KnowThyNeighbor.org
(978) 335-0477 / Tom@KnowThyNeighbor.org

N.H. Goes Gay Marriage

Bless 'em, a few minutes ago (5:20 p.m. Eastern), N.H. Gov. John Lynch signed same-sex marriage into law. He and the House tossed it back and forth until they had nothing left to compromise on.

As expected, today was the final legislative passage of compromise wording on one bill, wording to add fairly absurd rights for wedding-related businesses to turn down working on ceremonies of homosexual couples based on conscience. Those are lawsuits just waiting to happen.

That makes four of six New England states for equality — Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New Hampshire. Maine sort of is, having passed SSM, but staying it while the anti-gay forces try to repeal it through a plebiscite. Only Rhode Island is in limbo, waiting for the staunchly anti-homosexual governor to run out another two years of his final term.

In the end, N.H. is a testament to the future of SSM in the country. Assuming the actions pushing a federal suit to force marriage equality go nowhere, such state-by-state, states-rights based decisions will erode the amendments and laws forbidding homosexuals marrying.

In this case, the governor wanted it all ways. Although nominally a Democrat, he really seems an opportunist. Up there, they elect a governor every two years and have no term limits. Only crimes, boneheaded decisions or boredom would drive one from office. Lynch seems to have figured he could pretend to simultaneously support pro- and anti-SSM forces. It looks like he has pissed off the former and annoyed the latter. I'm sure he can sell real estate or insurance.

~Mike Ball

KnowThyNeighbor.org Partners with WhoSigned.org in Washington State

Washington State’s Ref. 71 Petitioners to Have Names Posted Online 

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:

Seattle, WA, June 1st, 2009 –

WhoSigned.org, a grassroots organization of Washington State residents, announced today that it would make the names of Referendum 71 petitioners looking to overturn the expanded domestic partnership law accessible online.  The law would grant same-sex and senior couples (over 62 years of age) in state registered domestic partnerships the same rights as married couples.

The petitioners have until July 25th to collect the necessary 150,721 signatures, a minimum of 120,577 signatures plus a recommended buffer of 25%, to place Referendum 71 on the November 2009 ballot.  If they are successful, the new law will not go into effect as expected on July 25th and could be overturned by voters on the November 2009 ballot.

WhoSigned.org will make the petitioners names accessible online once the petition has been verified by the Washington Secretary of State and has become part of the public record.

“This is about taking responsibility,” said WhoSigned.org director Brian Murphy.  “Petition signers are choosing to prolong discrimination against fellow citizens who pay taxes, contribute to their community and care for their families. This can’t be allowed to happen in secret and without a frank public discussion. We hope that potential petition signers realize the serious consequences their actions will have on gay and straight couples and their families.”

WhoSigned.org expects Washington State’s pro-equality citizens to use its online tools to find the names of people they know, and talk with those people about the real world impact of their actions.  “Conversations like these can be uncomfortable, but they are necessary for people to understand how vital these basic rights and protections are for gay and straight families alike.”

WhoSigned.org was originally formed in response to Referendum 65 which sought to overturn the bill establishing limited domestic partnership rights for same-sex and senior couples in Washington State.  Referendum 65 failed to get the required signatures and no names were published online.

WhoSigned.org is partnering with KnowThyNeighbor.org, a national gay rights group that has worked with other grassroots organizations to publish petitioner information in several other states including Massachusetts, Florida, Arkansas, and Oregon.

Gay Bashers A Protected Class in Massachusetts

If You Are Looking To Beat Up Some Queers, Welcome to Massachusetts.  From Provincetown to Boston's South End to Gloucester It Appears That Hunting Season On Gays Is Now Open.  But Who Ever Thought The Latest Gay Bashing Would Be In a Boston Municipal Court Room  

A very dangerous precedent was set last week by Judge Thomas Horgan in Boston who handed down a two year suspended sentence to gay-basher Fabio Brandau, 29, for his brutal attack on a group of gay people last August in Boston's South End.  Brandau and three other attackers left two men so badly beaten that they were sent to the hospital with major concussions.  "Fucking faggots," were the words being used by Brandau continually throughout the assault.  On May 27th Brandau pleaded guilty to nine criminal charges and four civil rights violations however, Judge Thomas Horgan felt that Brandau's realized penalties for this should only include paying the victim's medical bills, an order to stay out of the South End, an order to stay away from the victims, and a court sponsored "anger management" program.  So much for those out there who believe hate crime legislation is a crock of shit, evidently in Judge Thomas Horgan's courtroom it is.

The Fenway Community Health Center's Violence Recovery Program's Emily Pitt, provides statistics that hate crimes increase during times of extreme anti-gay rhetoric such as one finds during the "dialogue" caused in legislative reviews of LGBT rights such as our fight for marriage equality and the media reporting.  One wonders what sort of additive effect a stupid and reckless decision such as Judge Thomas Hogan's has on hate crimes here in Massachusetts.  One can only summise that Judge Hogan has opened the door to alot more of the same.  

Boston/South End Gay Bashing 2008/2009:  BayWindows 

Provincetown May 2009: Boston Herald  

Gloucester April 2009:  Boston Globe 

Boston/South End Gay Bashing 2008:  BayWindows via Edge 

Provincetown Summer of Hate 2007:  Cape Cod Times

--------------------------------------------------

Tom Lang, Director  KnowThyNeighbor.org

N.H. Staggers to SSM Approval Wednesday

With loopholes big enough for trained dogs to jump through, the New Hampshire legislature and Gov. John Lynch look like they have a workable compromise all can approve. It's likely that Wednesday this coming week will be the day for a tweaked bill to get to Lynch and him to sign it.

To placate the anti-gay and anti-marriage equality sorts, the revised bill ended up today with wording even stronger than Lynch proposed when he sent it back to the lawmakers for revisions. The concurrence committee of both houses put in broad conscience exemptions for nearly anyone connected with the wedding business.

As the AP writer put it:

The new version, which is expected to come up for a vote Wednesday, adds a sentence specifying that all religious organizations, associations or societies have exclusive control over their religious doctrines, policies, teachings and beliefs on marriage. It also clarifies that church-related organizations that serve charitable or educational purposes are exempt from having to provide insurance and other benefits to same sex spouses of employees. The earlier version said "charitable and educational" instead of "charitable or educational."

That could very well end up in Law Suit City if enough regressive sorts put their hands to their foreheads sighing that they sensibilities are being ravished by having to deal with homosexuals. Or, as Rep. Anthony DiFruscia put it more colorfully, "Hypothetically, if I'm a Nazi... do I now get an exemption because my conscience says if you're not blond and blue-eyed, I can discriminate against you?"

Regardless the governor was looking to pretend that he forced religious protection into this bill. Pretty much what he was asking for was already law and it was the fringe added to the canopy he proposed. The range of the compromise committee was a single sentence, plus one more word to the entire bill.

It looks like Wednesday will be wedding day.

Cross-post note: This also appears at Marry in Massachusetts.

~Mike Ball