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California Bill to Shut Down Political Opposition to Homosexuality Nears Passage
EQCA ^ | 8/23/05

Posted on 08/23/2005 1:58:00 PM PDT by dukeman

Legislation Now Hits Governor’s Desk

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Legislation designed to prevent discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in political campaigns is one critical step away from becoming law – a signature by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Today, the Senate approved Assembly Bill (AB) 866, authored by Speaker pro Tem Leland Yee (D-San Francisco/Daly City) on a 21-12 vote. The Governor now has 12 days to sign or veto AB 866.

The legislation, sponsored by Equality California (EQCA), would prohibit the use of any negative appeal based on prejudice against LGBT people by candidates or campaign committees who sign the voluntary pledge provided for in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices.

“I urge the Governor to immediately sign this bill into law so we can move one step closer to ending anti-gay rhetoric in political campaigns,” said Speaker pro Tem Yee. “Candidates should not discriminate and victimize the LGBT community for political purposes. Fostering campaigns that create fear and intimidation only incite a potentially dangerous situation for the LGBT community.”

“Sidelining ethics and integrity to garner votes is simply bad politics,” said Executive Director Geoffrey Kors of Equality California. “We cannot allow a few bad apples to hijack political campaigns and really cheapen the voting process with homophobia and anti-gay prejudice. Candidates must live up to a higher standard willing to represent all constituencies and communities. This is no gray area. Winning elections on the backs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people is just wrong and opens the door to attacks and violence against our community. This is why the Legislature has passed this necessarily piece of legislation and we believe Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will uphold respect and equality for all Californians.”

Currently, candidates can sign a voluntary Code of Fair Campaign Practices pledge which states they will not use any negative appeal or prejudice based on race, sex, religion, national origin, physical health status, or age during their political campaigns. This Code of Fair Campaign Practices and a copy of the Elections Code provisions are required to be provided by the Registrar of Voters at the declaration of candidacy, nomination papers, or any other documentation that identifies the intent to be a candidate for public office.

Studies have concluded that political hate-driven messages have been directly connected to violence against LGBT people. Incidents of violence against the LGBT community have peaked in national elections years, particularly in the 2004 presidential election where gay and lesbian issues played an unprecedented role at both the national and local levels. In 2003, when San Francisco issued civil marriage licenses to same-sex couples, incidents of violence rose over 14 percent throughout the city.

“When I run for office, I want to be sure that I am judged on my knowledge, experience and integrity, and not viewed on stereotypes or hate,” said Marina Gatto, a 16-year-old gay rights activist. “AB 866 is a common sense measure; it is an important and vital step towards equality, and it deserves the support of every legislator as well as everyone in our community.”


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; US: California
KEYWORDS: ab866; eqca; equalitycalifornia; freespeech; gaystapo; homosexualagenda; pervertperverts; perverts; pervertspervert; pervertsperverts; veto
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Press release from a gay rights group in CA. A clear attack on free speech!
1 posted on 08/23/2005 1:58:03 PM PDT by dukeman
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To: dukeman

Undt you vill Komply!

2 posted on 08/23/2005 2:00:33 PM PDT by Caipirabob (Democrats.. Socialists..Commies..Traitors...Who can tell the difference?)
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To: dukeman

No free speech for you...

Wonder how they would feel if similar legislation was on the governor's desk for Christians or gun owners or conservatives...


3 posted on 08/23/2005 2:00:58 PM PDT by 2banana (My common ground with terrorists - They want to die for Islam, and we want to kill them.)
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To: dukeman

No doubt the SCOTUS will find this one constitutional, if anyone dare sue that is.


4 posted on 08/23/2005 2:02:14 PM PDT by The Ghost of FReepers Past (The repenting soul is the victorious soul)
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To: dukeman
“When I run for office, I want to be sure that I am judged on my knowledge, experience and integrity, and not viewed on stereotypes or hate,” said Marina Gatto, a 16-year-old gay rights activist.

I think the WTF kitty would be appropriate here.
5 posted on 08/23/2005 2:02:29 PM PDT by Millee (Earth First! We'll log the other planets later!)
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To: dukeman

They don't really have free speech in CA anyway. Heck, even freedom of thought was abolished years ago.


6 posted on 08/23/2005 2:02:56 PM PDT by Brilliant
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To: dukeman
You know, all the sudden the concept of one state launching an attack against another doesn't seem so far out of reach.

CA Conservatives and all decent folks need to be liberated from this tyranny.

7 posted on 08/23/2005 2:04:00 PM PDT by Caipirabob (Democrats.. Socialists..Commies..Traitors...Who can tell the difference?)
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To: dukeman

I hate this Friggin state, time to move to Texas.


8 posted on 08/23/2005 2:04:59 PM PDT by CAP811 (One man can change the world with a bullet in the right place)
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To: 2banana
Wonder how they would feel if similar legislation was on the governor's desk for Christians or gun owners or conservatives...

Geez. That was the exact thought that popped into my head as well.

9 posted on 08/23/2005 2:06:13 PM PDT by aBootes
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To: dukeman

Surely Arnold's too smart to fall for this. But he also has to be strong enough, so maybe I shouldn't hold my breath.


10 posted on 08/23/2005 2:06:21 PM PDT by American Quilter
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To: Caipirabob

I agree, and I'm a Californian. Save us!!!

I'll even become a traitor to my state, should a conservative state attack us and try and bring sense to this insane state of affairs!


11 posted on 08/23/2005 2:06:40 PM PDT by MarineBrat (We are taxed twice as much by our idleness. -- Benjamin Franklin)
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To: little jeremiah; scripter

Ping


12 posted on 08/23/2005 2:08:23 PM PDT by the anti-liberal (Hey, Al Qaeda: Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent)
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To: dukeman
Its not about preventing mean-spirited homophobia. Its about silencing candidates with Christian values. Don't be fooled by the innocous seeming intent of this legislation. The aim is to outlaw any criticism of the gay lifestyle the Gaystapo disapproves of.

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
13 posted on 08/23/2005 2:08:29 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: dukeman
The legislation, sponsored by Equality California (EQCA), would prohibit the use of any negative appeal based on prejudice against LGBT people by candidates or campaign committees who sign the voluntary pledge provided for in the Code of Fair Campaign Practices.

So if you don't sign this voluntary pledge, this doesn't mean a darn thing?

14 posted on 08/23/2005 2:08:39 PM PDT by TheBigB
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To: dukeman

So now opposition to homosexual marriage and gay partner benefits will be interpreted as incitement to violence against gays by knuckle-dragging low-lifes?


15 posted on 08/23/2005 2:10:21 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Hey, Cindy Sheehan, grow up!)
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To: dukeman
The Governor now has 12 days to sign or veto AB 866.

Just throw it in the garbage. No one wants anything to do with that crap. If they want kink, let them start a kink club, but keep it out of normal Americans faces.

16 posted on 08/23/2005 2:10:48 PM PDT by concerned about politics ("Get thee behind me, Liberal.")
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To: Millee; Xenophobic Alien
Millee: I think the WTF kitty would be appropriate here.

What do you think, XA?

17 posted on 08/23/2005 2:11:25 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks (Hey, Cindy Sheehan, grow up!)
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To: The Ghost of FReepers Past
No doubt the SCOTUS will find this one constitutional, if anyone dare sue that is.

They can't tell the difference between constiuttional and PC.

18 posted on 08/23/2005 2:11:57 PM PDT by TBP
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To: TheBigB
"Voluntary" my ass. If you have principles that tell you homosexuality is morally wrong, you're asked to check them at the door - or have the state's mailed fist teach you to keep any potentially offensive views to yourself. That's what this is about!

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
19 posted on 08/23/2005 2:12:38 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Exactly. Thou Shalt Not Offend A Liberal. Outlaw Conservatives!

(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
20 posted on 08/23/2005 2:14:14 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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