October 30th, 2008
I saw the latest advertisement in favor of Proposition 8 on TV last night and was struck by the change in message. Perhaps tired of newspapers running editorials accusing them of lying in their ads, this one made no pretense of presenting facts. It appealed purely to homophobic emotion.
Yes on 8’s New Ad
Transcript:
Same-sex marriage… have you really thought about it?
What it means when gay marriage conflicts with our religious freedoms…
Why it was forced on us by San Francisco Judges when gay domestic partners already have the same legal rights…
What it means when our children are taught about it in schools…
Have you though about what same-sex marriage means…
(small girl:) to me?
Think about it.
Voting Yes restores traditional marriage.
Yes on Proposition 8.
This ad makes no argument as to why same-sex marriage is not desireable to society. It simply asks the listener to dredge up any misconceptions, stereotypes, or animus that may be buried in their subconscience and let fear – not fact or reason – be their guide. It is an appeal to bigotry in its most naked form.
Latest Posts
Featured Reports
In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.
When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.
In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.
On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.
Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"
At last, the truth can now be told.
Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!
And don‘t miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.
Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.
Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.
Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.
The FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.
Louie
October 30th, 2008
I found this latest AD quite disturbing. Especially with that little girl at the end saying “To me” What does that mean? That she can no longer get married by the State of California? Last I heard, straight people can and do still get married in California.
The ad finishes with:
Restores traditional marriage? Which version?
The one where the woman became the “property” of her husband?
The one where they were not allowed a divorce, except by death?
The one where they were not allowed to use contraception?
The one where they both had to be of the same race? I.E. white/white, black/black, asian/asian
Or the one where if you were a “slave” you weren’t considered human and were not allowed to “marry” by your slave owners. So you had to “jump the broom” and “pretend” to get married in the eyes of the other slaves.
Vote “NO” on Prop. 8!
California – Vote “NO” on Prop. 8!
Arizona – Vote “NO” on Prop. 102! AGAIN!
Florida – Vote “NO” on Amendment 2!
Connecticut – Vote “NO” on Question 1!
AJD
October 30th, 2008
Did you hear about the rally where one of the leaders of the campaign compared the fight against same-sex marriage to the fight against Hitler?
Perhaps they should be reminded that gay people were one of the groups targeted by the Nazis for extermination. And I highly doubt many Jews would find such trivialization of Hitler’s evil all that amusing.
Who are the real fascists?
a. mcewen
October 30th, 2008
repeating a lie even though it has been refuted – anti-gay industry tactic number 2
Louie
October 30th, 2008
AJD wrote:
Here’s the link to that video:
Prop 8 spokesman says defeating same-sex marriage is like defeating Hitler
California – Vote “NO” on Prop. 8!
Arizona – Vote “NO” on Prop. 102! AGAIN!
Florida – Vote “NO” on Amendment 2!
Connecticut – Vote “NO” on Question 1!
Dave Hughes
October 30th, 2008
This just reeks of desperation.
This will not win over any undecideds. It’s not compelling at all. If any remaining undecided voters really think about gay marriage, they will realize that it won’t harm them in any way. I would think that the Yes on 8 side would not want people to think too much.
Oh, and doesn’t the guy standing in the office (“Why it was forced on us by San Francisco judges…”) seem a little bit lispy?
I’m surprised that they haven’t resorted to images of two leather bears in buttless chaps, or two dykes on bikes with their breasts hanging out, or flamboyant drag queens, with the line “Do you want marriage turned into this???”
Tavdy
October 30th, 2008
Louie, perhaps they meant the form of marriage practised by Abraham and other other great Patriarchs – where women were bought and sold; where their existence was primarily as breeding stock to provide heirs, servants and slaves; where women were used as sexual toys by their owners. You know, the good old bad old days before all this equality of the sexes nonsense.
Christopherâ„¢
October 30th, 2008
And what’s this about “San Francisco judges”? I highly doubt the four judges on the CA Supreme Court came from San Francisco.
Did they? Not that it matters, but I’m curious. I’m assuming it’s just another lie from Yes on 8, though.
Timothy Kincaid
October 30th, 2008
Christopher,
You are correct. That is just a lie.
They would like the voters to think that these are local judges with “San Francisco values” rather than the State Supreme Court. That the Court meets in San Francisco does not in any way make them “San Francisco judges”.
But it isn’t too surprising. ALL of the Yes on 8 positions are build on lies.
Lynn David
October 30th, 2008
I have seen nothing but the promotion of fear from “the other side” in the last couple of weeks. I should wish that this country would rise above its fears concerning our own citizens for this election; and eventually overcome them completely. But I fear…. that is rather naive.
Jason D
October 31st, 2008
and as per usual, the Yes on 8 crowd doesn’t allow comments on their video.
They don’t want anyone pointing out the flaws in their arguments.
Leave A Comment