by Fran Eaton
Chances are you'll be discussing gay marriage with your neighbors in the days to come -- that is if Illinois homosexual activists follow their Massachusetts and Florida cohorts' strategy of publicly identifying marriage petition signers.
KnowThyNeighbor.org announced today it will be publishing the names of 450,000 people who signed the marriage referendum petitions in Florida.
Protect Marriage Illinois' advisory referendum submitted over 350,00 petition signatures to the State Board of Elections last month. The referendum is now undergoing a verification process and within the next few weeks, the ISBE will determine whether the required 283,111 signature goal has been met and whether the advisory will be on the November ballot.
KnowThyNeighbor.org first published Massachusetts' marriage petition signers' names in December 2005. From today's press release about a similar effort in Florida:
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 right of citizens to petition is a basic constitutional right and should be respected, not used as a source of information to intimidate. And it's ridiculous to publicly list petition signers as if they were danger to the citizenry as sexual predators are.
Here's an idea: why not print up signs proudly stating "We're for protecting marriage" and post those signs BEFORE KnowThyNeighbor.org publishes the names? I would be proud to look down my street and know that where I live, traditional marriage is supported.
As a matter of fact, I agree with Trib columnist Dennis Byrne, who had a great idea the other day, and one we'd all like to challenge Illinois gay activists to consider: Why not propose a constitutional amendment giving equal rights to citizens based not only on sex, but sexual orientation? Isn't that what you really want?
But let's be real. I doubt we'll see that happen. The urgency for such a proposal is simply not on the American people's radar. And homosexual activists know what conservatives have known for years: it's much easier to stop a legislative effort than it is to promote one.
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KnowThyNeighbor.org Expands to Florida; Posts 450,000 Names Online
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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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