KnowThyNeighbor.org Expands to Florida; Posts 450,000 Names Online

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Primary Contact: Tom Lang, Co-Director
Cell: (978) 335-0477

Secondary Contact: Aaron Toleos, Co-Director
Cell: (978) 821-4620

KnowThyNeighbor.org Expands to Florida; Posts Names of 450,000 Anti-Gay Petition Signers Online

Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, June 12, 2006 -- KnowThyNeighbor.org, the Massachusetts group that drew national attention for posting the names of anti-gay marriage petition signers online in December 2005, announced today that it has expanded its activities to Florida. KnowThyNeighbor.org has partnered there with the Christ Church of Peace in Jacksonville to post online the names of over 450,000 signers of The Florida Marriage Protection Amendment.

The names can be accessed at KnowThyNeighbor.org and ChristChurchofPeace.org.

The two groups have been working together since February 2006 when members of the Christ Church of Peace congregation contacted KnowThyNeighbor.org for help. Tom Lang, co-director of KnowThyNeighbor.org, says, "We are excited to be partnering with people of faith to protect the rights of gay citizens. It’s great to have a pro-gay, Christian group making such a strong statement on this issue and we are honored to have them with us."

The proposed Florida amendment would not only deny civil marriage rights to gays and lesbians, but also put civil unions and domestic partnerships in jeopardy. Lang explains, "The other side will accuse us of trying to intimidate voters but they are the ones who are threatening to take people’s rights away. When someone is sponsoring legislation to hurt your family, it is your right if not your obligation to find out who is behind it?"

KnowThyNeighbor.org expects that, as in Massachusetts, gay citizens in Florida who find the names of friends, neighbors, family, and co-workers on the website will be triggered into a state of activism and seek out conversations with those who would take their rights away. Lang explains, "These conversations can be uncomfortable for both parties but are desperately needed if people are to understand how important marriage and family are to the gay community."

The expansion to Florida represents a conscious effort by KnowThyNeighbor.org to move onto the national scene and its directors have been actively collaborating with citizen activists in other states. Co-director and webmaster Aaron Toleos explains, "The Republican Party has used the gay marriage issue as a tool to mobilize voters in this country. But their tactics have also given rise to a counter-movement that we plan to capitalize on as KnowThyNeighbor.org becomes a tool for grassroots organizing across the nation."

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Read the Boston Globe article.

Comments

[Tony]

The link to the Massachusetts page is not working -- all you can access is Florida

[The Patriot]

The concept of KTN is very patriotic. Reminds me that all protest is good protest. But debate should always be courteous and civil.
If you want to know thy neighbor, you need to love thy neighbor.

Compromise and respect will rule the day, not intimidation and fear.

[A. Winder]

God created man and woman, and I truly believe that He left specific instructions between one man and one woman: to be fruitful and multiply.

If you can show me in the Bible where God/Jesus blesses the union between one woman with one woman or one man with one man than I'll join your cause.

[SarahG]

Hey, if you're going to sign a petition denying rights to others, be willing to stand behind your actions!

I really appreciate the addition of the Florida names. I have already identified two signers on my parents' street. If I need to move down there in a caretaking capacity, at least I have some notion of the 'lie' of the land.

Sarah G

[Pete]

Show me where to sign the Petition. I will proudly sign it.

[Lee Ann Wolff]

I'd like to sign this petition. I have gay friends and figure what people do is their own business, but I am against gay marriage. How can I get my name added to this anti-gay-marriage petition? I just moved from Massachusetts to Maryland.

[ryan charisma]

oh look -

a whole kettle full of bigots here! makes me want to cuddle up to my bible.

I think we should have a petition to double the taxes of white, straight males since they're going to be the only people with rights left in this country.

You have all the rights, you pay all the taxes you ignorant bigots!

[Ron]

Keep up the fight for equality guys!!!

[The Patriot]

Since this new site is being sponsored by a "Christian" church, maybe the Reverend will respond to A.Windor's question above.

[Michelle]

If we are asking for special rights, then why did I have to travel to another country to get married. I pay all my taxes here in the US, but I can't marry here. In fact when I went to Canada to get married and on the way home, they even refunded the taxes that I paid. Yet, as I cross the border I could 'feel' my marriage license shrivel into invisibility.

We don't want special rights, we don't want to be separate but equal, we just want to be the same. That's all.

[Protecting my privacy]

So, it's ok with all of you that people's personal information is posted on the web in relation to a very volatile, very emotional issue with dangerous extremists on both sides of the issue? How about everyone involved with producing this site also post their name and address so the religious right can come over to your house and have a frank discussion about Privacy. This site is about intimidation. Pure and Simple.

[ryan charisma]

It should be posted. As a gay man I want to know which of my neighbors actually hate me and are trying to prevent me from my persuit of happiness. You know bigots - American bigots - weather or not you stand up - you're being counted.

You think enough of the ssm to prevent me from having one. Then you should be able to stand behind your words.

Otherwise you can join the Klan and hide behind the hood.

[Mikey]

Get over it, dollface. Public record is public record. If you're going to sign something that's a public record then welcome to the 21st century. Or perhaps you'd like to have a pointy-headed white sheet over your head when you sign? Of course then you couldn't see what you were signing...

"Dangerous extremists on both sides:? Hmmmm....I don't recall seeing any news reports of gangs of gay people attacking straight people because they're straight, but then again, I don't live in Florida. I hear South Beach can be pretty wild.

[BostonGayDad]

A. Winder says:

"If you can show me in the Bible where God/Jesus blesses the union between one woman with one woman or one man with one man than I'll join your cause."

A. Winder is not a True American. If she were a True American, she would know and embrace this truth: The Bible has nothing to do with civil matters in American society.

One religion cannot impose its beliefs and doctrine on all American citizens. In the case of the Christian Bible, it is rife with rules and laws that are discriminatory.

We have a document we use for civil matters that is much more thoughtfully written and much more relevant to American society. It's called the US Constitution.

U----S-------C----O----N----S----T----I----T----U----T----I----O----N

See US Constitution, Amendment XIV, Section 1: http://www.constitutionfacts.com/constitution/Other.htm#XIII

So I am very sorry Ma'am, but we cannot accept your application to join our cause.

Have a NICE day. :-)

[BostonGayDad]

Dear Protecting my privacy:

This, dear, is public information. My identity is not. Now you know how the doctors that support reproductive rights feel.

Can you say "B--E--R--N--A--R--D-----S--L--E--P--I--A--N" ???????????

Their names and home addresses have been posted on the Internet for years...along with the names and places of employment of their spouses and the names and schools of their children. PMP, do you have children?

[Christopher Robert]

the only way to protect the sincerity of voting is to lose its anonymity: a statement by rousseau

[John Hosty]

John Hosty
281 Lafayette St.
Salem, MA 01970

My address is PUBLIC record not private, just like your VOTE is PUBLIC record. If you are not ashamed of your opinion on this important matter then stand up for what you believe.... I DO!

[Joe S]

A Winder....

Show me where Jesus says in the bible where HE has a problem with gays or gay marriage?

Also...since marriage, in your view, should only be between a man and a woman for reason of "being fruitful and multiplying"....then NO STRAIGHT COUPLE SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO GET MARRIED UNLESS THEY HAVE CHILDREN!

So anyone in their 60s or older that wants to get married...CAN'T by your very own definition! Couples that are infertile...CAN'T GET MARRIED since they will never have any children....AND people that don't even want children CAN'T GET MARRIED since their marriage would never produce children!

Winder....you need to know that RELIGION plays no part in CIVIL MARRIAGE....Churches are NOT and will NEVER be required to perform same sex unions...just like Catholics don't marry men and women that have been divorced and their former partner is still alive....no one santions them for that and never will....

Please provide a VALID reason as to WHY same sex couples can't get married and how it is

A. Any of your business.

B. An impediment on your marriage
(if you are already married).

Before you are so quick to put your signature to a document to deny a person their civil rights...THINK....and answer the above....

There is no doubt that this is an emotionally charged issue...and it should be discussed...NOT DEBATED...

Know for sure...that no matter what....GAY MARRIAGE WILL EVENTUALLY BE THE LAW OF THE LAND. There is no way to stop it....and...it won't change your life one bit.

:-)

[Zero]

So, shouldn't some mailings be going out to all the people who signed these petitions? I was surprised at how many in my town signed it.

[John Hosty]

New readers are here so let's review:

Let's follow a line of logic. Laws are made to protect people and property. There are criminal laws and civil laws. For gay marriage to be considered illegal we have to define the need for the law.

1. Some say the sanctity of their own marriage would be diminished.

2. Some say they must protect the institution of the family from the influence gay marriage would have on society.

3. Some say that children must be porected from thinking that homosexuality is a viable alternative lifestyle to theistic principles that teach otherwise.

The problem with any of these three points of contention is that they all suggest that all citizens share a common morality, which is untrue. Our forefathers came to this country to free themselves of religious oppression. Why would gay marriage be the exception to this rule?

[Doyle Schroeder]

So happy w/ this site. If people want to take away another person civil rights, then they should be proud enough that all of us can see their names and know them for what they are.

BTW: My husband and I were married 2 years ago and have been together for 10 years. His father has always accepted me, but when we were married he hugged me and told me "Now your My son-inlaw". My father inlaw is proud of us and very supportive. When my brother inlaw was married last year. He and his bride told everyone at the reception they hoped to have a marriage that was like ours.

[BostonGayDad]

Doyle Schroeder:

You win Most Inspiring Post of the Day! Thanks!! Now, can you find me a husband??

BGD

[Billy Kess]

Put as many of these sites up as you want. It won't change the fact that same-sex marriage is an abomination and abnormal.

I will always sign petitions against gay marriages. I don't believe gays should get married in the same way a man and woman do.

And there are millions like me and we're not afraid of little websites that 'expose' us.

Billy Kess is my real name by the way. And I live in New York - and I am not scared of you gay advocates.

Get used to it.

Billy Kess

[joe]

More gay rhetoric!

If a family disagrees with you, and you know they love you, are they also anti-gay?

[Les]

Where do I sign???

Post me anytime:

Les Muldoon