Furious at the losses in the gay-marriage war, the National Organization for Marriage is getting dirty—well, dirtier—by preparing to “out” gay-positive companies in countries where homosexuality is taboo or illegal.
The American Independent got its hands on the transcript of a conference call among NOM leaders, in which President Brian Brown suggests the organization target Starbucks by playing up its LGBT-friendliness in unfriendly areas like the Middle East and India:
Their international outreach is where we can have the most effect… So for example, in Qatar, in the Middle East, we’ve begun working to make sure that there’s some price to be paid for this. These are not countries that look kindly on same-sex marriage. And this is where Starbucks wants to expand, as well as India. So we have done some of this; we’ve got to do a lot more.
Jesus, this guy sound like General Veers.
As Think Progress points out, “NOM is singling out Starbucks employees for anti-gay abuse and more generally stoking anger towards LGBT people.”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
It’s a disgusting ploy—we can only hope the far right’s islamophobia trumps its homophobia and NOM refuses to interact with any Qataris.
gaym50ish
NOM seems to be finally admitting that its purpose is not just to preserve “traditional” marriage, but to oppose anyone and anything that is gay-friendly.
Its purpose is to harm gays and their allies and block ANY advancement in gay rights.
Ron Jackson
I think NOM should be labeled as a terrorist group. What they are doing is Economic Terrorism.
andy_d
These people are the real “American Taliban.”
alexoloughlin
Now, how about getting the Southern Poverty Law Center add NOM to its list of hatemongers? That would really piss Brown and Gallagher off. NOM had better be careful if it proceeds with this. If it goes ahead and LGBT people end up being rounded up, tortured or executed in any of those islamic countries, then NOM will have blood on its hands, indirectly promoting violence against gay people. That alone would classify it as a hate group. It had better be careful what it wishes for.
alexoloughlin
Now, how about getting the Southern Poverty Law Center to add NOM to its list of hatemongers? That would really piss Brown and Gallagher off. NOM had better be careful if it proceeds with this. If it goes ahead and LGBT people end up being rounded up, tortured or executed in any of those islamic countries, then NOM will have blood on its hands, indirectly promoting violence against gay people. That alone would classify it as a hate group. It had better be careful what it wishes for.
2eo
So NOM are condoning acts of violence against US operation in foreign nations?
Sounds like terrorism to me. I am not surprised, NOM hate America and its citizens.
Joel J
I wonder if this is a ploy by NOM to go after all those Saudi contributions. It’s no surprise to me that all religious fundamentalists share certain common beliefs like homophobia. In some Islamic countries such as Palestine and Iran killing homosexuals is considered honor killing. Is it any wonder that NOM is attracted to those fanatics?
BiL
NOM is willing to let innocent people be murdered because is Gay Friendly. How about Starbucks sue the hell out of them, and the US Government for stirring up trouble in the Middle East. Stop these lunatics once and for all.
1EqualityUSA
This will have an opposite effect. Young people will think it is cool to go there now. NOM is so defeated. Hate is so antiquated. Smell the formaldehyde yet? You’re going extinct. Irrelevance has a smell.
Cam
NOM can’t even get a thousand people to sign a petition and yet they can spend millions of dollars in multiple states.
The reason they have defied multiple court orders to reveal their donor list is because the Catholic and Mormon Churches are breaking Tax rules and funding this organization.
2eo
@Cam: If this was a left wing group talking about exposing Blackwatch and other groups committing war crimes protected by immunity they’d be in jail already.
But because it is the christian right they can talk about exposing American and Allied citizens in jeopardy and damaging US relations with other nations. They are calling for the deaths of the citizens of the west.
They are morally and intellectually EXACTLY the same as the taliban. Literally in aim and mission.
tjr101
Obama needs to order a drone strike on these folks, they’re domestic terrorists.
Christopher
NOM is hurt that they are losing in the US, so now they want to sympathize with countries that execute homosexuals. Demons in America points it out pretty well what NOM is going to accomplish doing this:
http://demonsinamerica.com/the-national-organization-for-marriage/
jwrappaport
As though the clerical bullies in the Middle East don’t hate us enough already, the Hungry Hungry Hippo feels the need to stir up malcontent. I’ll take another peppermint hot chocolate, thank you very much.
@Dan Avery: I love that you know who General Veers is. That said, I always thought he was an honorable man at heart who never stood for the greater oppression of the Empire and the Dark Side. I would have gone with a Vader reference myself.
JOHN 1957
@Cam:
That’s a very good point. Since these churches fund hate groups and politicians we should write our government and demand they start taxing all these religious groups who are now very rich to open their books and start helping the country they exploit through the business of religion. Thank You.
The Yearly Cost of Religious Tax Exemptions: estimated $71,000,000,000 (billion)
University of Tampa professor Ryan T. Cragun along with students Stephanie Yeager and Desmond Vega ran some calculations and figured out a number:
While some people may be bothered by the fact that there are pastors who live in multimillion dollar homes, this is old news to most. But here is what should bother you about these expensive homes: You are helping to pay for them! You pay for them indirectly, the same way local, state, and federal governments in the United States subsidize religion — to the tune of about $71 billion every year.
Given the current political scene, none of this is going to change anytime soon. Religious groups have far too much power in Washington and they’re not about to ask the government to remove their special privileges. But we can keep the pressure on.
Even if these calculations are proven to be off, the principle isn’t going to change: Religion is a business, churches get tax breaks they don’t really deserve, and we’d all be better off if they paid their fair share.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2012/06/16/the-yearly-cost-of-religious-tax-exemptions-71000000000/
John Doe
NOM needs to practice what they preach.
If they are against supporting companies that support LGBT rights, NOM needs to stop using Windows OS and Mac OS, iPhones, iPads, iPods.
They do realize that both Microsoft and Apple support LGBT rights, don’t they? Oh, and Google and about 100 other companies too.
NOM would be in the dark ages with no electronics, clothes or electricity if they boycotted every company that supports LGBT rights.
tristan8893
Endangering Americans and American businesses?? This is going to be the final step too far not just for the great middle but for many conservatives in this country. From now on, every time NOM spokespersons speak, every time they appear on TV, there needs to be a roar of outrage over NOM endangering American lives and interests. Brian Brown = treasonous bastard. Pass it on!