Focus on the Family Supporting Gays?

Wow, taken me a long time to get around to writing my first diary...but here goes.  I've looked around to the best of my ability and didn't see any mention of this particular story, so please forgive me if I'm repeating someone.

So...there I was reading the obituary for Lt. Laurel Hester.  I realized that I hadn't kept up on the story and was pleased and surprised to hear that she won her battle in New Jersey.  I followed the link over to Queer Day and saw this other headline that grabbed my attention...
Colorado gay rights measure gains interesting support.  I couldn't help myself, I had to follow that story.  

Holy crap...was I shocked to see that Focus (your shotgun)on the Family endorsed a bill giving gays rights!

First, it was a pleasant, unbelievable surprise that quickly turned to suspicion and distrust.  Why are they doing that?  There's gotta be a reason.  Reading through the article, it talks about how Republican Shawn Mitchell sponsored a bill providing "reciprocal benefits" to gays and other types of unmarried persons or couples.

As Bill Cosby would say, "Right...Am I on Candid Camera?

But of course, there's a reason.  As in California, there's a renewed effort in Colorado for a gay marriage ban.  And predictably so, there is also proposed legislation to legalize domestic partnerships.  I don't think DP is strong enough...but now I see why FotF is supporting the legislation...to fight the other.  It doesn't say anything about "partnership", "marriage", "gay"...it's trying to strip any perceived need for even a DP law, much less marriage.

I know others have said this, but I feel the need to repeat it...California winguts are at it again too!  Some may remember Pete Knight and Prop 22...THAT PASSED!! (and was later struck down)...well Knight is still lingering with the other fundies over at Protect Marriage.com.  They're working hard with several ballot initiatives out for signatures in CA that would not only amend the CA Constitution to deny gay marriage, but another that would also roll back all domestic partnership laws and benefits in the state.

As much as I'd like to think the legislation in CO could be a step in the right direction and would eat my drawers the day FotF supported real gay rights or equality...it's clear that it is a smokescreen, pacifier, and roadblock.  It's also clear that we need to be ever vigilant and fight for our rights!!

Visit Equality California or Marriage Equality USA or even Margaret Cho's gay marriage support project Love is Love is Love...do what you can.

•  It still surprises me that Focus on the Family

  would endorse that bill... I doubt that that will score them many points with their core supporters, even if the legislation might hold gay marriage/domestic partnership initiatives off for a while.

  Could it be that Focus on the Family is considering some kind of a change in their strategy? I certainly wouldn't hold out for anything big, but if they do soften their hateful rhetoric a bit it could be helpful to actually moving the debate forward. Hmm...
  

  by lil bird on Sat Feb 18, 2006 at 02:23:29 PM PDT

  •  thinking positively

    that was my same question.  but i can't help being a pessimist when in comes to them supporting anything that might benifit the "homosexual agenda".

    by Heather in SFBay on Sat Feb 18, 2006 at 02:27:30 PM PDT

•  feedback?

  this will probably roll off the list pretty quickly, considering it's a crappy weather saturday and folks are at their computers.  but if you're stopping by, sure would appreciate any feedback.  cheers!

  by Heather in SFBay on Sat Feb 18, 2006 at 02:25:31 PM PDT

  •  your pessimism makes sense.

    These people don't give us and they don't care about people unlike themselves.  

    There's a depressing article in the NY Times about a gay film festival and performances of The Vigina Monologues at the Univ. of Notre Dame in today's NY Times.  The new president clearly doesn't want anyone to think that ND supports any of the stuff that's against Catholic teaching.  

    Perhaps they should ban their church's founder, who seemed to have a larger understanding!

    by JPete on Sat Feb 18, 2006 at 02:46:15 PM PDT

•  You are probably right in thinking FOF

  would rather see this bill pass then a bill that would serve gays.

  by saul2006 on Sat Feb 18, 2006 at 04:02:32 PM PDT