Now that marriage equality is spreading across the nation, the cash flow is drying up for those who make a living off homophobia. What's a bigot to do?
NOM (the National Organization against gay Marriage) has delved into self victimization in the past, and they're at it again this weekend. On Sunday, they're holding a big shindig in Texas to inspire cash in on the fear of God the government. With speakers ranging from local pastors and Faux News hosts (former Gov Mike Huckabee!) to the venerable Phil Robertson, The Duck Commander of Duck Dynasty, all brought to you via a live stream from Grace Community Church in Houston. Whoowee!
Don't miss out. You're sure to hear a lot about Christian victimization and how they need EVEN MORE MONEY to fight those who bully them by calling them bigots. And who knows what the heck Phil The Duck Commander might say about all this. Quack, quack.
Look below the fold to see what's got them all stirred up.
In May 2014, the Houston City Council passed an anti-discrimination ordinance that includes sexual orientation and gender identity. Anti-gay bigots attempted to challenge the law with a referendum. Apparently most of their referendum signatures had been obtained without adhering to the rules of collecting signatures, so they were invalidated and the referendum was tossed out.
The bigots filed a lawsuit against the City demanding that their referendum be placed on the ballot in spite of the invalidated signatures. This court intervention opened them up to standard civil dispute pre-trial discovery procedures. If they have any evidence that is relevant to the case, they have to give a copy of it to the opposing party, in this case the City of Houston. The City Council subpoenaed five pastors who had been fighting to repeal the law for their notes about sermons they delivered on the topics of "equal rights, civil rights, homosexuality, or gender identity." The subpoenas were originally very broad, but were later narrowed in scope. Houston's Mayor Annise Parker defends the City's right to discovery:
"This is not about what anyone is preaching; this is not about their religion; it's not about the free exercise of religion," she said. "It is our right to defend the city and asking legitimate questions about the petition process."
Of course. Houston did the right thing passing the anti-discrimination ordinance, and has the right to defend itself now that bigots are suing to get their invalidated petition on the ballot.
Meanwhile, NOM has seized the opportunity to turn this into another goldmine of donations:
This is part of an intimidation campaign that comes amidst a lawsuit brought by citizens against the city of Houston after a petition from residents was basically thrown out by the city administration.
So send us more money!
... We can't sit idly by and allow intimidation like this to stand.
So send us
even more money!
The event... will focus on what's happening in that city, as well as other threats to religious freedom around the country. Our aim will be to show how Christians nationwide can stand together in love and unity for America's First Freedom of religious liberty.
So Christians nationwide can send us more money!
My advice? Tune in to catch whatever Wild Bill Duck Bill has to say (I'm sure it'll be a Youtube hit soon) and send your money to one of these close-race Democratic candidates instead:
Kay Hagan
Michelle Nunn
Jeanne Shaheen
The "not Brailey" guy running against Joni Ernst