Today the Stop SB 48 Coalition failed in their attempt to derail the FAIR Act. They were trying to gathering enough signatures for a "peoples' veto" referendum, which would block the law from taking effect until a vote were held in November, 2012.
But they couldn't do it. For whatever reason, the big guns behind other anti-gay efforts did not cough up the bucks, and the petition work was done, not by professional signature gatherers, but by volunteers. Needing to gather at least 504,760 valid signatures, they could not pull it off. Noon was the deadline for turning the petitions in to the California Secretary of State. According to the San Francisco Chronicle:
Backers of an effort to repeal a law that requires schools teach about the historical contributions of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, and people with disabilities, failed to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
The group, Stop SB48, which is named after the law, faced a Wednesday deadline to turn in just under 505,000 signatures. In an e-mail, the group said, "We thank all of you that worked so hard to provide the hundreds of thousands of signatures received. In the end, 90 days was too short a time to accomplish such a large task."
The FAIR Act calls for California students to learn about LGBT Americans, in the same way that they are now taught about the contributions of
... women, black Americans, American Indians, Mexicans, Asians, Pacific Island people, and other ethnic groups to the economic, political, and social development of California and the United States of America...
Scary stuff, right?
It turns out that this is indeed very scary stuff to the fundies. I've been keeping an eye on the Facebook page for Stop SB48 to see if there was any chance they would be able to generate enough signatures, and it's amazing (well, it's really par for the course) what you can learn.
Who knew?
((Homosexuality is)) either a choice, or it might be a generational curse. It is definitely not how God made a person to be. Homosexuality is a sin, that needs to be dealt with, and not accepted as normal.
Christians quiver?
This law violates God's law! And Gods law is above it. The LGBT community is trying to normalize that which is abnormal. And it bothers you that true Christian aren't bowing down and quivering before this law. We NEVER will.
Lady Gaga would disagree...
Homosexuality is a learned thing it doesn't just happen and your NOT born that way you have been brain washed dont mess with children we need a law against this law.
If we'd only known sooner, we would have passed it last year!
Thanks to SB48 I am FINALLY moving out of the state of California after 28 long years. 4 more weeks and I cannot wait! Good riddance CA!
You actually can make this stuff up.
LGBT is, right now, working with the APA to "normalize" pedophilia so they can remove it from the DSM (just as they did in '73), and then work to legalize it as well....for all those gay and lesbian pederasty groups out there (notice that there are NO heterosexual pedophilia groups).
Corrupt politicians? Color me unsurprised.
California is rife with corrupt judges, governors and other politicians. After Having a sexually perverted judge nullify the people's efforts on prop 8, they have probably lost faith in the system. Lgbt members and proponents have no scruples or integrity when it comes to their agenda.
Did he just say... 'poop'?
... even you know the anal cavity has poop in it. Do you wipe your butt after you take a shit? of course you do because shit is poison. So to be P.C. will you lie to your self and say it is good for to men to play in each others poop?
A small victory for equality, but an important one. The fundies were turned back. Their attempt to get the people to vote for discrimination failed. It's time to take their favorite tactic -- referenda -- and throw it back in their faces as the people begin to vote for equality. That day is coming. First in Maine, then across the country.
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3:54 PM PT: Statement from Stop SB48
Unfortunately we did not collect enough signatures to qualify the referendum to overturn SB48. That law will be in place in our schools at the first of next year.
We thank all of you that worked so hard to provide the hundreds of thousands of signatures received.In the end, 90 days was too short a time to accomplish such a large task.
In the coming days you will see the celebration of our opponents. We know this because it has already started in social media and other places.And some of the rhetoric will be harsh. Remember, despite what they say about us, we opposed SB 48 simply because we do not believe that children should be exposed to an intentionally one-sided argument about lifestyles and values we do not hold.
And you will have to face some of those who said from the beginning that our referendum effort was a waste of time. They said we did not have enough money, the commitment of enough groups, or enough days. Ultimately they were right. And in private perhaps they will ask if the effort they withheld would have made the critical difference.
In the end, everybody that dedicated time and effort to qualifying this referendum should hold their heads high. The children in California schools and their parents owe a debt of gratitude to each of you for attempting such a huge task.
We hope that you will be there for the next battle.
While we did not overturn this very bad law, we built a small army of dedicated volunteers that collected an incredible amount of signatures. There will be a next battle. Despite the overuse of the term "tolerance", there is little tolerance for those who do not endorse the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender lifestyles. And there will be more laws passed that advocate for these and attempt to silence any opposition.
The groups that rallied to create the Stop SB 48 effort exist to promote and defend our shared values. Over the last several decades these groups have grown to be a major influence in the Capitol but also at the local school board. They have trained ordinary citizens to lobby their legislators and defended good laws from unfairness in the courts. And each of them puts a special emphasis on training youth to be the leaders of tomorrow. Watch your email so we can keep you informed on these opportunities.
Despite our defeat we hope that you will be encouraged in your boldness. We hope that you have been strengthened in your stand for what is right in your community, your church, and your country. And we hope that you have met some friends and allies that share your values and vision for our State.
We will keep the web site open for some time at www.stopsb48.com. Please use it to have your friends sign up for future emails, to ask us any questions, or to donate to pay the bills that will still come from this referendum attempt.
Thank you again. We were all honored to fight this battle by your side. Even in defeat we were right to fight. And we will continue to do so.
Several state officials joined the battle and sponsored our efforts to Stop SB 48. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said, "Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality, which guarantees all others." These courageous, bold, and strong leaders answered the call to action when the phone rang.
The Stop SB 48 coalition, the hundreds of thousands of California families, groups, organizations, and community leaders would like to thank the following state officials for standing up for California's school children.
State Senator Doug LaMalfa
State Senator Sharon Runner
State Senator Joel Anderson
Assemblywoman Shannon Grove
Assemblyman Jim Nielsen
Assemblyman Dan Logue
Assemblyman Mike Morrell
Assemblyman Curt Hagman
Assemblyman Tim Donnelly
Assemblyman Don Wagner
Former Assemblyman Chuck DeVore
U.S. Congressman Tom McClintock
Thank you for your support!