Some people maybe didn’t vote this way out of hate for gays, but they still remain on the same side as people that do, so their vote counts just the same as the KKK.

After it passed, I heard many people say things like “Take that in the a$$ faggots!”. We have every right, in fact, our duty to blacklist and boycott.

What’s really been bothering me about this issue is that Mormons are now playing the “victim” and crying “reverse discrimination.” They’re calling us the bigots. This confuses and angers me. The issues just don’t equate. We have a legitimate beef with church LEADERSHIP who convinced their followers to do everything in their power to ensure the passage of Prop 8. This meant millions of dollars poured into the Yes on 8 campaign, hundreds of phone banking hours were logged, and hundreds of thousands of voters were swayed. Our response is a call for a review of the Church’s tax-exempt status—a PRIVILEGE conferred upon the CHURCH (not individual Mormons) as long as certain guidelines are followed. I know very few people who actually hate individual Mormons who did nothing more than vote the way they felt compelled by their religious leaders. I know fewer who would do something to strip Mormons of their rights to practice their faith as they see fit. However, every individual Mormon who voted in favor of Proposition 8 made a clear statement, through their vote, that they do not believe LGBT Americans should be afforded the same rights as every straight person in this country. Their message was one that strips individuals, based solely on their membership in despised class, of fundamental civil rights.

Religious (and non-religious people) have EVERY right to free speech, to “vote their conscience,” and to piss people off. But, “with great power comes great responsibility.” If you exercise your freedoms in a way that disparages an entire group of people and effectively strips them of their equal rights and dignity, be prepared for the backlash. Just as you have every right to exercise your freedom of speech, so do I. Protesting church leaders who pushed the measure on their flocks and boycotting businesses that helped fund the Yes on 8 campaign are legitimate means of expressing my displeasure with what you have done. What I find so surprising, though, is how angry they get over this when NOTHING that I do in response to their support of the Proposition will take away their fundamental rights. Nothing. I can protest until I am blue in the face, but they will never lose their right to vote, to speak, to fund campaigns, to worship as they see fit, or to marry. But each of their actions, have effectively stripped my of mine.

You cannot bankroll a campaign that vilifies gays and lesbians and scares religious hetero parents into thinking we are out to recruit their kids in the public school system and then throw your hands up and step back. The Mormon leadership released the following statement: “The end of a free and fair election should not be the beginning of a hostile response in America.” I say, “Bullshit!” This comment is laughable, at best. This is EXACTLY what should happen in America. Democracy, at its core, demands it. Simply because a “free and fair election” results in inequality, does not mean we should lie down and accept that inequality. It is incumbent upon us to fight back, to make our voices heard. At its most basic, democracy is about majority rule, with respect for minority RIGHTS. We cannot lie back and allow the majority to usurp our rights, while religious and conservative leaders pervert democracy by calling our response “undemocratic.” That, my friends, is undemocratic. It is un-American. And it is unfair.

Well said, Anna.

OK,

Now is the time for someone in Cali to start a referendum to strip Mormon’s of their civil rights and outlaw their religion. The way the silly referendum system is set up it may just be doable.

This is a Republic not a Democracy like so many believe. Republics are setup to protect the minority from the will of the majority. What better way to point out the flaw in the referendum process by actively working to strip someone else of their rights.

If they can do it so can we!

The Mormons are such hypocrites. Many still practice polygamy and marry underage girls while casting-off the young men who they feel are competition to the elders. Yet, they feel that they have the right to dictate who we should love. I am married to one man only. Maybe the Mormons should clean their dirty houses before dictating to others! I, for one think we should do everything in our Gay power to put down this religion of hate.

I’m agaisnt every type of bigotry and discrimination, however, some groups like the Mormon and Evangelical church crossed the line and I don’t feel too bad for them. If they want to bully people and take away rights, they should be able to handle all that comes with it. They’re hurting millions of people by not protecting their rights. Can’t be pro-family if you exclude some families. Heck being pro-family means protecting all kinds of families, but I don’t think people like that understand what it means to be a family.

I don’t hate them but I still dislike haters like that who decides to hide behind religion to act like bullies. I truely feel sorry for them because they don’t understand how to treat other people. *sigh*

While it is perfectly justified to be angry at Mormon leadership, we must not forget that there are people on our side within the Mormon community, and there are closeted gay kids within the Mormon church who need (or will need) our support. I’m not saying don’t protest or be angry, I’m just saying that we should keep our message centered in love and inclusivity. This will make it harder for them to hate us, and at the same time make it easier for those who agree with us within the Mormon church to stand up for equal rights.