Vegas Prop. 8 supporters outed
December 26, 2008 | 9:14
am
Nevada has its own laws banning gay marriage that were passed by far wider
margins (twice) than California's close vote. Yet, if you live in Southern
Nevada, like I do, you blame the cow counties and the north of the state for those
votes. Like the quintessential isolated New Yorker writer who did not have a
single friend who voted for Reagan and therefore was surprised he won, I
personally don't know many if any opponents of gay marriage in Vegas this side
of Donny Osmond. But obviously Vegas has people opposed to gay marriage, too.
Now, I know who they are. Still, I do not know how I feel about this site. The
very word blacklist seems chilling to me.
Anyway, GayVegasblacklist.com has been set up for gay marriage supporters
to find out which Vegas businesses and locals worked against gay marriage
by specifically supporting Proposition 8 in California. The Sun has a story on how a
local pool cleaner has lost a customer over being on the list. The site also has
a gay-friendly list that will interest tourists more. That list includes almost
every major casino on the Strip, even the Venetian and Palazzo (controlled by the
generally activist conservative Sheldon Adelson).
Vegas resorts would love to get into the business of packaging and selling gay marriage events. And that point is made clear by the fact that one of the gay-friendly groups listed is the room-tax-supported Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, whose mission is to promote tourism in Nevada.
Vegas resorts would love to get into the business of packaging and selling gay marriage events. And that point is made clear by the fact that one of the gay-friendly groups listed is the room-tax-supported Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, whose mission is to promote tourism in Nevada.
Good article, Richard. I enjoyed it. Very controversial subject. I guess there's a point to the blacklist. I seriously believe it's not going to effect any future votes though. It's just going to stir up more controversy, in my opinion.
I don't have an opinion one way or the other on the issue. I could care less what anyone's sexual preferences are, but I see some of the history of this.
The first time that Proposition was voted down in Nevada a few years back, there were supporters/boosters for it that went back to California (not sure if they were Nevada and/or California residents) and they openly declared in the press and made sure it was widely disseminated that Nevada is officially a "homophobic State." Not specific people, but just Nevada en masse.
Now, recently it didn't get voted in a second time and they are targeting specific people and businesses. Kind of shows that clearly they don't take no for an answer, but this time they switched gears and Nevada is not homophobic, just certain people and businesses in Las Vegas are.
I don't see any of this stopping if it gets voted down a third time. It's now gotten to the point that it isn't encouraging people to vote for its passage, it's let's go after the people who are against Proposition 8. The focus seems to be more in getting revenge as a means to further it getting approved. But it kind of gives a wrong appearance of revenge is more the main goal, more so than getting the Proposition approved. And I really don't think that's going to work. It just generates even more controversy and openly advocates hate, bigotry and one sided viewpoints.
I don't know. Just my take on it.
Posted by: ColinFromLasVegas | December 26, 2008 at 02:21 PM
I gave AGAINST Prop 8. My [real] name is available in the list of donors. I welcome the civil knock at the door from people who wish to discuss my donation with me. I realize that my name and other identifying information leaves me open to the kook crowd who prefer striking from the shadows and running away...
...people like the four men who beat Jose O. Sucuzhanay to death in Brooklyn for the mere APPEARANCE of being a f@gg0t.
...or Willie Houston, who was shot for the crime of holding his fiance's purse while standing outside a restroom while she assisted a paraplegic inside.
...or the people who torched Melvin Whistlehunt's house because he is gay.
No, I think the list is a good thing. For I can make like the Mormon missionaries do, and search them out, and ask to have a conversation about Prop 8. I don't doubt the conversation will be strained, but I will do everything on my side to make it civil. Will my neighbors return the favour, though?
Posted by: Hazumu Osaragi | December 26, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Kudos to CT and MA. Shame on Nevada.
Cheers, Joe Mustich, Justices of the Peace,
Washington CT 06793 USA
http://justicesofthepeace.blogspot.
Posted by: Joe Mustich | December 26, 2008 at 02:22 PM
In the land of capitalism people get to make deciisions where they spend their money -- why would they give it to businesses that are using the money to vote against them. Businesses are happy to use their faith and beliefs to attract business - it's a knife that cuts both ways.
Would you rather be outed as a support against people's civil rights, or would you rather be outed as a gay person who is then fired in 38 states just for being gay -- even if they didn't give money to anyone.
Posted by: Casey | December 26, 2008 at 05:31 PM
I am glad this kind of information is available and that there are people helping to make it easy to find. I don't see anything wrong with it.
Posted by: Sarah | December 26, 2008 at 05:31 PM
The blacklist approact is clearly a message of revenge and H8 on the part of the gay community. I did not contribute to the Yes on 8 campaign, but now I wish I had. Seeing the actions of the gay community has shown to me the true immature disfunctional nature of the gay community. If there is a 2010 proposition, I will quickly contribute to it. I am not afraid of some blacklist and will not be bullied by the immature H8ful tactics of the gay community.
Posted by: Charles | December 26, 2008 at 07:45 PM
People who say that the gay community is perpetrating hate do not know the real meaning of it. The victims of prop 8 are practicing their every right to boycott businesses and individuals. This is not hate. Hate is taking away civil rights from people. And that's exactly what these people did. The gay community is simply responding how anyone would. By showing the world that they will not stand idly by while their rights are being taken away.
Posted by: Ray | December 26, 2008 at 08:03 PM
Thanks for all your thoughtful posts. And, hello to you Colin. I always find your comments interesting. Here is the issue for me: does my pool cleaner need to share my values? Do I care that I believe my pool cleaner (in a world where I have a pool) is a bigot if he keeps his views to himself while working, does good work and deals with me honestly? Gay marriage is a very boutique issue in the world, and only one issue. Domestic partner benefits, civil unions, strike me as vastly more important than using the word marriage, and nothing is near as important as stopping job discrimination against gays and lesbians. And, yes, in Nevada you can legally be fired for being gay. There are a lot of issues, but how many do I need to quiz the pool cleaner on? And, do gays and lesbians work for the company that I am boycotting or maybe that bigoted person is supporting a gay son or daughter. That is all tied together as the part of blacklists that makes me uncomfortable. Yrs., Richard
Posted by: Richard Abowitz | December 26, 2008 at 08:07 PM
>> Still, I do not know how I feel about this site. The very word blacklist seems chilling to me.
Richard,
Shame on you. You “still” don’t know how you feel about this site?? I’ll bet your feelings aren’t so wish-washy about Joseph McCarthy’s list and in my opinion, there is not much difference between McCarthy’s supporters who weren’t so sure about ‘blacklisting’ and your unsureness.
You are either against blacklisting or your not. And if you’re against blacklisting then you have to be as articulate and forceful in your writings as you would be if you would be if you were writing about McCarthyism.
Posted by: david | December 26, 2008 at 08:52 PM
I agree with Charles. The absolutely hatefull and intollerant behavior and retoric of the homosexual community since the passing of propisition 8, particularly the religious bigotry being diplayed has motivated me more than ever to financially fight to support the traditional definition of marriage. I'm not afraid of black lists or intimidation of any kind. Way to go you peace-loving, tollerance-preaching, COMPLETELY HYPOCRITICAL "gay-rights" activists.
Posted by: SVB | December 27, 2008 at 05:49 PM
The homosexuals have destroyed whatever vestigial goodwill they might have once enjoyed in California by means of the hysterical, hateful, bigotry-run-amok campaign of organized hate against the backers of prop 8.
They can do what they like.
They lost, and we don't have the slightest intention of allowing anyone to overturn our decision in this matter.
The Supreme Court will uphold Prop 8. This is a no-brainer, and anyone who has bothered to actually read Jerry Brown's absurd "argument" will see the desperation dripping off the pages.
Take it to the bank- marriage in California is what it has always been and will always be.
Brad Pitt and Steve Jobs can go try and sell this in New Jersey next year.
In California, the fat lady done sung already.
Posted by: Rick DeLano | December 27, 2008 at 06:56 PM
I wonder if people recall African Americans doing the exact same thing to a certain bus system? Is that hateful? I am going to venture most people would agree it's a no. My question is why does the behavior of a few people blacklisting people make you want to contribute to denying people their constitutional rights? I'm sorry to say but the Supreme was very clear in 1967 when it ruled that laws banning interracial marriage were unconstitutional, and that marriage is in fact a civil right. The fact that the religious people didn't like to play by the rules set up by the constitution so they organized a mob and had it changed should send shivers down every American spine. What is the fail safe to keep America from becoming a theocracy? What happens when there is 52% of a national vote to have a Priest instead of a President? Some of the most right wing anti gay people in the world don't support touching our constitution, because they realize this sword cuts both ways.... Say the gays move en masse to a small state, then decide that heterosexual (or traditional, which is not at all how marriage was in biblical times btw) marriage should be banned? They have the majority and get it passed. What would these prop 8 supporters say then? 'We voted and we lost, no biggie!'? I bet you'd see a black list from them and maybe some more gay bashing in the name of 'God'. What happened to Christians turning the other cheek? Did Jesus attempt to legislate what he said was sin? No... He didn't. I think he'd be ashamed of the supporters (Wolves in sheeps clothing) for doing what they've done both before and after the campaign (after all lying in his name seems pretty bad to me Prop 8 supporters).I truly believe he would try to include his gay brothers and sisters at his table in equality
Posted by: Jason | December 29, 2008 at 04:45 PM
Are you all kidding me? Like the religious right hasn't been emailing, phoning and boycotting companies for years that go against their beliefs. right at this moment the American Family Association has launched a concerted effort to email and phone Campbell's for their Swanson broth ad in the Advocate (not even in a mainstream publication but a gay one) depicting a lesbian couple and their family making home cooked meals for the holidays. Why are we so terrible and haters to merely publish the names of those that gave to support this ballot question? it's not hate, its information nothing more nothing less.
Posted by: Candice | December 29, 2008 at 07:13 PM