‘Death Penalty For Gays’ Ballot Initiative May Be Allowed To Proceed Under California Law

CBS San Francisco ^ | March 20, 2015 | Brandon Mercer

[nickcarraway]

A ballot proposal criminalizing sodomy and allowing the death penalty for anyone who “touches another person of the same gender for purposes of sexual gratification” is moving forward because constitutionally, there is really no way to stop it, despite the neo-Nazi nature of the proposed law.

Huntington Beach attorney Matt McLaughlin filed papers to begin gathering signatures for the ballot measure, the “Sodomite Suppression Act” on February 26th.

In California’s “direct democracy” any citizen can follow procedures to propose just about any law. That doesn’t mean that any law could pass, and even if passed, it doesn’t mean that any law could actually go into effect. Even laws passed by a majority of California voters may been overturned by judicial review, as was the case in the Prop. 8 gay marriage debate.

This latest initiative is creating news not because of what it would do if passed but because of the fact that it, so far, cannot be stopped at this stage.

Along with the required $200 fee, McLaughlin’s letter asking for certification of his initative, sent to the coordinator for Attorney General Kamala Harris, includes some bizarre language: “The abominable crime against nature known as buggery, called also sodomy, is a monstrous evil that Almighty God, giver of freedom and liberty, commands us to suppress on pain of our utter destruction even as he overthrew Sodom and Gomorrha.”

McLaughlin’s ballot proposal continues, stating, “…the People of California wisely command, in the fear of God, that any person who willingly touches another person of the same gender for purposes of sexual gratification be put to death by bullets to the head or by any other convenient method.”

Harris’ office may actually be legally required to write a title and summary of the legislation, allowing signature gatherers to stand in front of shopping malls and grocery stores inviting patrons to sign a petition to put a death sentence for gays on the statewide ballot.

The Sacramento Bee reports that the Legislature’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Caucus has now written a letter to the State Bar calling into question McLaughlin’s fitness to practice law.

A petition to take away his law license already has over 6,000 signers.

While submitting a ballot proposal costs just $200, the preparation of the proposal by the state can cost about $8,000.

[backwoods-engineer]

In George Washington's army, there were two offenses worthy of the death penalty: desertion during combat, and sodomy.

Homosexuality is an abomination condemned by God, and is a punishable offense among decent people.

[XHogPilot]

Every signature on the petition will be scrutinized. Those individuals will be hounded, there associates vilified and businesses destroyed. It’s happened before in Calif and will absolutely happen again.

[Organic Panic]

We are told Islam is the great nation of peace, love, and inclusion. I say California adopts Islamic Sharia laws on homosexuality. It's only fair, after all morning prayers are "the most beautiful sound in the world."

despite the neo-Nazi ISLAMIC nature of the proposed law.

[nickcarraway]

I bet its all leftists.

[truth_seeker]

Does the California law provide taking away lawyers’ licenses, based on petitions to do so?

I think not, lest there be dozens of petitions on every corners, for most lawyers.

[truth_seeker]

Trying to kick start his law career, with free publicity?

[Bigg Red]

Well, I have no knowledge of this attorney McLaughlin, but I have a hunch that his proposed law is an attempt to make the right look bad and that he does not believe a word of it.

Also, the signatures gathered would make it easier to build the data base pf citizens to target.

[Drew68]

allowing signature gatherers to stand in front of shopping malls and grocery stores inviting patrons to sign a petition to put a death sentence for gays on the statewide ballot.

This is the part that will really be entertaining.

[beelzepug]

It would certainly cut down on the crowded freeways problem.

[NurdlyPeon]

I don’t know. My only comment on this whole thing is that it’s clearly popcorn time.

[NetAddicted]

I like this sign.

[Califreak]

I haven’t been keeping up with things so when my husband told me about it I didn’t believe him at first. I thought he was just throwing something weird out there to see if I was awake.

I don’t agree with that lifestyle but the death penalty? That stinks of Hitler’s Germany.

Unbelieveable that someone would try and get something like that on the ballot in this day and age.

Next it will be white people. Or gingers. Or fat people. Or people who wear those rubber clogs.

SMH.

[dalereed]

I’ll sign this petition!!!!!!