We’re just awash in exciting Proposition 8 statistics here today. Maybe protest organizers will find this useful in planning their next 8-hour marathon march. Here’s your handy-dandy visual representation of LA’s homophobia.
As you can see, South Central is not too keen on the gays, whereas WeHo and Santa Monica are BFFs with them. The Valley is obviously teeming with bigots, so it’s a good thing nobody cares about it.
CONTINUED »
fredo777
“Conclusion: Another way to look at this map is as a guide to show you where in Los Angeles ethnic minorities and old people live. Sad but true.”
Feh.
Tom
So how long will gays beat the dead horse that ethnic minorities are the reason they can’t get married in California?
And the reason they can’t get married in states with very few ethnic minorities, like Arizona, is what? Oh I know, the whites there were voting in proxy for ethnic minorities who don’t live in that state. Give me a frigging break.
If the No on 8 spent more time reaching out and using high profile spokespeople from ethnic communities, the result may have been different. But the No on 8 campaign was largely white middle class lesbians and gays who have absolutely no clue how to communicate in the ethnic-hetero world.
Ethnic minorities may have traces of homophobia, but it is far surpassed by the ethnophobia in the gay community.
Bruno
@Tom:
Funny. I never saw civil rights for ethnic groups rejected by a vote by gay people. We may not have done enough to reach out to ethnic communities, and they certainly don’t deserve more than their fair share of blame, but don’t act like all they have are “traces” of homophobia. It is rampant, as it is in white society as well.
Keith
Tom – I agree with you in that blaming other minorities isn’t a positive way to promote equal rights. But blaming a minority’s defense strategy for its loss of rights is a bizarre argument to make. Are equal rights only justified for minority groups that are well organized and well funded?
And just for the record – Arizona is approximately 30% Hispanic.
farmer ted
Just waiting for you douchebag cowards to go harass/trespass/vandalize at a black church in South Central. But we know you won’t. Your good sense of self-preservation will not allow for it. So keep picking on the milquetoast, polite, white Mormons.
O’ Hail! ye brave and quite “mary” queers.
fredo777
@farmer ted:
Actually, dumbass, some of us are gay and black. It happens, you know.
I, for one, have no problem whatsoever talking to someone black about this issue.
farmer ted
@fredo777:
Yes, you’ll talk. And that is it. Do not try to bullshit anyone for even a second that there will be ANY organized demonstrations at Black or Hispanic churches, in places like Watts or Oakland, that will carry the same tone and vitriol that have been so “flamboyantly” displayed at Mormon churches. In fact, there probably will probably be none at all.
So queer on, brotha.
fredo777
@farmer ted:
Yes, talk. Asshat.
I’m not shouting + protesting at anyone’s church, Mormon or otherwise. That’s not my style. I can get my point across just as effectively without picket signs + the like.
Btw, it’s a little funny that the person accusing people of being cowardly is hiding behind a computer screen + spouting off shit that he wouldn’t likely have the testicular fortitude to utter in, say…a leather bar with some of the burliest gay mothaf*ckas you’ve ever seen. And no weapons. Or buddies to help save your sorry ass.
You do that; then, we’ll talk about myself + my “queer” brethren protesting at a black church. Go.
farmer ted
That’s right, turn it back on me. This has nuthin’ to do with me. Why in THE fuck would I even go to a “leather bar”? Sounds downright grotesque. I’ll pass.
And I’m not the one doing the protesting. You are. And you’re being very selective and hypocritical on where you do it. Lead a march on Compton and I will eat crow.
So sure, act like “you” (the collective ‘you’) queers HAVEN’T been totally obnoxious, disrespectful, and downright criminal (trespassing, vandalism, etc.) in the mobs that have descended upon the Mormon institutions. We know it’s being done because that’s a safe target.
Nevada
lol@ farmer Ted
LGBT ppl are more pissed at the Mormon Church because they bankrolled the misinformation on the radio, television and in print about prop 8.
Also, the Mormon Church broke federal tax law. And, so far is getting away with it.
Personally, there were a lot of confusing and misleading questions on the Nevada ballot as well, which upon further reflection, I might have voted differently.
Fact is, hardly anyone has time to review each and every facet of every issue on the ballot.
But, if all I heard on the radio, or saw on the TV was that a bunch of scary leather-clad sex-in-public queers were going to rape my kindergardner, I’d panic as well.
LGBT rightfully are angry at the Mormon Church for bearing false witness. And to add insult to injury, the Mormon Church seemingly is doing it to become more ‘accepted’ among the extreme religious Right. [Also insert here all heart-wrenching stories of destroyed families.]
-Nevada
Lyle Palaski
Farmer Ted, The Mormon church was a selected target because they contributed most of the Yes on 8 money, so get down off your high horse.
fredo777
@farmer ted:
Yeah. Right. Why would you go to a leather bar when you’re not into dressing up in leather?
Oh, wait, maybe for the same reason that you’ve come to a gay blog + are spouting off about “queers”? You’re not gay. Why are you here? I know, we’re fascinating, but you’re out of line. I don’t come down to your favorite watering hole + knock the moonshine out of your hand.
You’re not in Kansas anymore, Toto. I’d suggest you take your leave.
P.S. Call it what you will but you are protesting right now, man-child. For ridiculous reasons, granted, but protesting nonetheless.
farmer ted
@Nevada:
Oh really, what federal tax law would that be? It wouldn’t be 501c3, because the Mormons are well within compliance. They are free to advocate on issues, just not individual candidates or parties.
farmer ted
@Lyle Palaski:
But as has been beat do death ’round these parts, the black and Hispanic vote is what put 8 over the top. Plenty of da queers are saying how pissed they are, but we know damn well they’re not going to channel that piss & vinegar into conducting their childish and obnoxious protests at black/Hispanic churches.
farmer ted
@fredo777:
Yes, keep making it about me and obfuscating the fact you are unable to refute what I’m saying, that the queer “bravery” only extends as far as Mormon churches.
fredo777
@farmer ted: It is about you, assjacket.
You’re the one who stuck your neck out + started tossing around generalizations + nonsensical theories that don’t hold water.
I’ve responded to + moved beyond that whole “protesting at black churches” silliness ages ago in the conversation. It’s a moot point.
Keep up or shut up.
fredo777
P.S. They are protesting at Mormon churches because they were the most notably responsible for raising funds + encouraging their members to get out the vote for Yes on 8.
I thought that was fairly obvious.
le_sacre
farmer ted, you’re being pretty ridiculous. the role of ethnic minorities in the passage of prop 8 is far from clear. and if black pastors did openly instruct their parishioners to vote yes in massive numbers, that story has not been widely reported. the role of the mormon church in the Yes on 8 campaign, by contrast, is undisputed and vast. it’s doubtful that prop 8 could have passed without their activities, which included commanding followers to make this their top priority.
meanwhile, check your facts before you pretend to know what you’re talking about. it took me less than two minutes to find the guide on 501c3 compliance prepared for churches by the IRS. it states:
“They must not devote a substantial part of their activities to attempting to influence legislation.”
and
“Legislation includes action by Congress, any state legislature, any local council, or similar governing body, with respect to acts, bills, resolutions, or similar items (such as legislative confirmation of appointive offices), or by the public in a referendum, ballot initiative, constitutional amendment, or similar procedure.”
the only way the mormons can get off the hook with this one would be to explain how commanding their followers to donate what amounted to 40% of Yes on 8’s total budget can be seen as not “substantial.” also factor in that protectmarriage.org (a completely partisan propaganda source solely designed to tell people to vote yes on prop 8) is “An Official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” for further insight into how “substantial” their activities were, check out http://www.sltrib.com/ci_10797630.
Lyle Palaski
@ Farmer Ted:
Why do you consider the protests to be “childish & obnoxious”? Did you think that when a group’s rights were TAKEN AWAY from them that they would go back in the closet? Did you think they would sit at home and sulk? Did you think they would accept second class citizenship? Protesting is a way to go out and show the people who voted yes that they caused a huge hurt to people and see the faces of those they hurt.
The Mormon church supported and sent people all over the state to get people to vote for Prop. 8 and the infuriating thing is the lies that were spread to do it. It’s one thing to have a difference of opinion, but to lie about and then win on those points is another reason people have protested. There were LDS members on the streets of West Hollywood asking for votes. If this isn’t a flagrant separation of church and state issue…?
As for marching into hispanic or black churches–what you fail to realize is that no one is trying to make this into a racial issue. Why? Because there are black gay people and hispanic gay people and gay people in every walk of life that deserve better.
But religious support as dominated as the Mormon church was is fair game.