Gay rights activists reassess strategy after setbacks

AP Wire (direct feed) | December 10, 2004 | Will Lester

[NYer]

WASHINGTON (AP) _ The ritual was replayed from Boston to San Francisco: Exuberant gay couples sharing marriage vows and slices of wedding cake.

After decades of seeking the same basic rights as most Americans, gay activists celebrated a long-sought achievement as the highest court in Massachusetts ruled that same-sex marriage was legal. In San Francisco, Mayor Gavin Newsom performed gay marriages even though he had no similer0aourt affirmation. Gays thought barriers were finally crumbling. Then came the elections.

Outraged by these images of gay couples, conservatives clamored for laws not only banning gay marriage but in some states for prohibiting civil unions and domestic partnerships. Nine of the 13 states that acted on or before Election Day on laws barring gay marriage also banned other forms of recognition for same-sex relationships. Effects of those measures are already being felt. Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, will remove same-sex partner benefits from contracts negotiated with state workers after the voter-approved amendment to the Michigan Constitution that bans gay marriage ``and similar unions.''

The lack of activists' success in the United States stands in contrast to Canada where the Supreme Court ruled Thursday that gay marriage was constitutional, allowing the government there to call on Parliament to legalize same-sex unions nationwide. The string of U.S. election defeats _ and the extent of the restrictions _ has forced gay activists to reassess their strategy in what they see as a protracted fight for equal rights. ``There now is a profound realization that this struggle is going to go on for a very long time,'' said Matthew Foreman, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. ``People understand the reality of that in a way they did not before.''

Suggestions that gays would move more cautiously or bargain for certain rights prompted letters from activists to all members of Congress saying there would be no retreat in their push for equal rights or trading of gay rights for support of other measures _ like changes in Social Security.

While many gays heralded the ruling in Massachusetts, several said they had mixed feelings as they watched the unprecedented developments. ``I thought what was done in Massachusetts was worth the price,'' Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., said of the legal success of gay couples who sued for the right to get married. ``The mistake was in San Francisco,'' said Frank, an openly gay congressman. Newsom's short-lived effort to allow gay marriages was ``a lot of hoopla that didn't accomplish anything,'' Frank said.

Gay activists say their strategy will include:

_Seeking public support for equal protection for gays and taking that message to the conservative-leaning states in the South and West won by President Bush. Activists say there are many in those states who would be sympathetic to the difficulties gays face if they had more information about the legal barriers _ both in the workplace and in recognition of relationships.

_Answering the high-profile religious leaders who are opposed to gay rights with religious leaders who are supportive.

_Shifting resources to work with corporate leaders about the need for more protections for gays in the workplace. ``Our biggest job is education, the hard work has to take place of telling people who we are and explaining that we don't even have these rights,'' said Cheryl Jacques, former president of the Human Rights Campaign. The Human Rights Campaign is a gay rights group that is attempting to recruit more non-gay members and shift its focus to human rights generally.

Americans oppose gay marriage by almost 2-to-1, according to a recent AP-Ipsos poll. Other recent surveys have found that people are evenly divided on civil unions that provide many of the same legal benefits for gay couples. Jacques said gay couples who challenged local laws to get married ``really handed Karl Rove fuel to pour on the flames,'' a reference to Bush's chief political adviser and how the issue energized conservative voters who turned out on Election Day.

After the 2004 elections, conservatives are determined to continue fighting for a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, which fell well short of the necessary two-thirds vote in the House and Senate. ``We'll have efforts in another eight to 12 states in the next couple of years, but also a renewed effort to get a federal marriage amendment passed,'' said Tony Perkins, president of the conservative Family Research Council.

Court challenges to bans on gay marriage also will continue, said Gary Buseck, legal director for Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders. But he acknowledged that winning over the public may take time. ``The younger generation is much more tolerant,'' said Buseck, whose group led efforts to change Massachusetts laws. ``Our opponents can see where this is headed down the line.''

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Well, at least we don't have to hear about the "gay exit strategy!" LOL

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

People are sick of having this stuff jammed in their face 24/7, boo hoo.

And what's even worse for them is that their poster boy Matthew Shepard, star of legislation and TV movies, has been shown to be a victim of robbery, not hate-crime. Things just aren't working out for the activists.

[Prime Choice]

Gay activists say their strategy will include:

_Seeking public support for equal protection for gays and taking that message to the conservative-leaning states in the South and West won by President Bush.

ROTFLOL! Sorry, queer folk. Red States have seen enough of the homosexual agenda being rammed down their kids' throats in the public schools. You think they're going to put up with more gay agenda bullcrap? Got news for you, twinkletoes!

_Answering the high-profile religious leaders who are opposed to gay rights with religious leaders who are supportive.

With such "moral authorities" as Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and other cretins of that caliber? Bring it on! LOL!

_Shifting resources to work with corporate leaders about the need for more protections for gays in the workplace.

Gays don't need protections in the workplace. They need to stop broadcasting their perversion and focus instead on doing their darned job. Sheesh!

[Always Right]

"Suggestions that gays would move...."

There's a thought.

[EdReform]

BTTT

What We Can Do To Help Defeat the "Gay" Agenda

Homosexual Agenda: Categorical Index of Links (Version 1.1)

Myth and Reality about Homosexuality--Sexual Orientation Section, Guide to Family Issues"

[Patti_ORiley]

Homosexuals in America set their cause back at least 20 years with all the 'in-your-face' activities of the last couple years.

[NYer]

Answering the high-profile religious leaders who are opposed to gay rights with religious leaders who are supportive.

This should be interesting!!!

(Openly gay homosexual) Bishop Vicki Gene Robinson

VS

Pope John Paul II

"Homosexual unions are totally lacking in the biological and anthropological elements of marriage and family which would be the basis, on the level of reason, for granting them legal recognition. Such unions are not able to contribute in a proper way to the procreation and survival of the human race. The possibility of using recently discovered methods of artificial reproduction, beyond involving a grave lack of respect for human dignity,(15) does nothing to alter this inadequacy."
CONSIDERATIONS REGARDING PROPOSALS TO GIVE LEGAL RECOGNITION TO UNIONS BETWEEN HOMOSEXUAL PERSONS

Catholic Ping - please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[NYer]

Ping!

[EdReform]

See also: Groups Debate Slower Strategy on Gay Rights (Gays to Accept Bush's SS Reform IF....)

[TheForceOfOne]

Gays, lesbians, Canada is reaching out to you, go my friends go.

New movie - Field of queens
If you make if legal they will come.

[GeekDejure]

Well, at least we don't have to hear about the "gay exit strategy!" LOL
=====
I presume you mean: "Removing A Urine Exhaust Pipe From A Fecal Exhaust Tube." !!! ;-)))

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

Well, at least we don't have to hear about the "gay exit strategy!" LOL
=====
I presume you mean: "Removing A Urine Exhaust Pipe From A Fecal Exhaust Tube." !!! ;-)))

---

Well since you folks have gone down this path, you have made me remember the post from a few years ago about the homosexuals who were messing around with a bunch of quick-drying cement and one needed to go to the emergency room to get the hardened mass out of his intestines.

Lucky surgeon that night!

[bushfamfan]

They seem to have a fan in Bush's daughter Barbara as she likes to go to gay bars and loves gay men.

[Bluegrass Conservative]

Oh lord, I know I'm going to regret this but . . . . quick-drying cement?? WHY?????

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

Apparently some are quite fond of putting strange objects, mixtures, and furry creatures where it was not intended.

EXIT ONLY!

[Bluegrass Conservative]

You know, you just don't hear of heterosexual couple doing things like this . . . and they have orifices too!

[Wolfstar]

"Homosexual unions are totally lacking in the biological and anthropological elements of marriage and family which would be the basis, on the level of reason, for granting them legal recognition. Such unions are not able to contribute in a proper way to the procreation and survival of the human race. The possibility of using recently discovered methods of artificial reproduction, beyond involving a grave lack of respect for human dignity,(15) does nothing to alter this inadequacy."

Thanks so much for posting the above statement. It's a beautifully stated argument that will definitely help me when discussing this issue.

[No_Outcome_But_Victory]

Homosexuality is a mental disease, and is obviously very gravely disordered.

[sportutegrl]

They keep pushing the agenda. Now they want gay marriage. We must fight this milestone as long as possible because once this goal is achieved, they will immediately move on the next item on their agenda: decriminalization of pedophilia. Instead of consenting adults, we will have consenting persons, and all manner of depravity will be allowed. Don't think so? Consider that although no more than 10% of people are gay, almost 50% of children are molested by same sex. Look at how far we have come in the last 20 years to see what direction this line is moving.