Comments on: Vanasco: A map of h8

By: Isaac

Isaac — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:49:59 +0000

I can see why you would be concerned about this, Ms Vanasco. We ensure that people may cast their votes in private, so why shouldn’t they be able to support causes like this in private, without having their details splashed all over the Internet and made available to anyone who wants it?

At the same time, if you believe in something strongly enough to give your hard earned money to support it, shouldn’t you have the courage of your convictions? Shouldn’t you be prepared for people to know your stance on the issue?

I’m sure that many, if not most, of those who donated to the pro-Prop 8 campaign knew that their donations would be a matter of public record, and so they should have taken into account that something like this might have happened. And it does work both ways – hopefully those who donated to the campaign against Prop 8 knew that their donation was a matter of public record and that they could potentially see repercussions from it.

Ultimately there is a big difference between merely voting for something and helping to fund it, and when it comes to funding we need as much transparency as possible to minimise the potential for abuse, and that means making donor information a matter of public record.

That said, I am opposed to producing maps detailing where pro-Prop 8 donors live. It’s one thing for this information to be publicly available to me if I want to get my hands on it – it’s quite another for private individuals to paint a bull’s eye on these people. They may have reprehensible beliefs, but they have done nothing illegal by merely supporting a vile piece of legislation. As disgusting as they are, they shouldn’t be made targets.

By: Matt

Matt — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:19:54 +0000

I don’t see a need to tell people where to find the haters’ houses. They are people, after all, and nobody should be harassing them at their homes. It only helps the right wingers to dishonestly portray themselves as the victims.

I do think we should be boycotting businesses that support bigotry. I can see sending thoughtful letters to those businesses explaining the reasons for the boycott. Where I draw the line is between education and harassment. I don’t think one word of our letters should cross that line.

I would also send letters to our supporters ensuring them of our continued patronage, as another poster suggested. Regarding homophobic religious leaders, perhaps the most powerful tool is to educate the public, showing how these leaders’ homophobia runs sharply counter to the principals of their faiths.

By: David

David — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 13:25:16 +0000

From California, it is easy to forget that most states do not offer employment protection to gays & lesbians, but all offer it to religion. A business in Idaho, Utah or elsewhere could legally terminate a GL employee if they feared losing business. If the Coyote Cafe wanted to fire a Mormon, they could not. The precedent that was set post prop 8 could be very harmful going forward.

By: Dave B

Dave B — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 01:54:31 +0000

How about posting name, and city, but not street address? Keeps the transparency in place, but by taking away the map, it will substantially reduce the chance of harassment. Folks whose numbers are listed could still be found, I suppose, but it seems a lot less likely that harassers will start looking up names in their town to see if they have a homophobe living around the block.

By: James Withers

James Withers — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:15:32 +0000

Dave,

I did respond to Bud Evans’ concern about his comments. As I told Bud, it’s a quirk in the system. Some commentators are automatically put in the pending section (and this has continued even after those same people have been manually approved). Going to see what our tech people can do to fix the problem.

Sincerely,

James

By: Dave W.

Dave W. — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 22:09:04 +0000

Hello,??? Jennifer??? Bud Evans and I both asked you today why our posts are not going up and you haven’t responded. I found your blog post, maybe I’ll find an email, but you have mine attached to all my posts so please let me know what is up with this.

I won’t assume it is censorship although I have been critical of your staff at times (and complementary).

What is going on?

By: Aiden Raccoon

Aiden Raccoon — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 18:05:59 +0000

Why isn’t there a map of anti-prop 8 donors? Well that’s because nobody for prop 8 is passionate enough about their stance to bother. They take it all in stride by voting the way they did without any second thought about who it might be hurting. The fact that people are outraged by our map and boycotts means that it is working. Even in Illinois, I won’t go to Carmike cinemas, or donate to the Salvation Army, etc. because of what happened in California. I am waiting for some bigger news of a boycott that will lead us again, and gain some national attention.

By: Sarrellec

Sarrellec — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:42:31 +0000

My wise Great Grandmother told me a long time ago that if you aren’t proud enough of something you’ve said or done for other people to know about it, you shouldn’t oughtta have done it.
No one is telling these people they can’t do whatever they wish regarding supporting political activities.
We are telling them that they will no longer be protected from opposition to those actions.
It’s the same thing regarding political correctness.
You may say or think anything you damned well please.
What has passed is the social protection once enjoyed by the powerful which insulated them from a response by those they denigrate.
Once upon a time, if someone in power or in the public eye called someone a derogatory name, they could do so with no fear of repercussion. Because those they attacked had no voice.
Now, those attacked DO have a voice. So, you can say, think and do whatever you like.
Just be aware that those who you harm are no longer restrained from responding.

By: J. Bruce Wilcox

J. Bruce Wilcox — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 02:21:21 +0000

Jennifer- I’m 55. I’ve said this before and am going to say it again. I’ve been harassed- taunted- spit on- verbally and physically abused since I was 8 years old. Because I’m a faggot. A faggot is the single most despicable thing a human being can be. Heterosexists think nothing of using this word every single day- in 2009. I’m REALLY tired of it. Anytime some religionist decides to call anyone an ABOMINATION- it cuts me to my soul. I’m not a little angry- I’m outraged. In other words- there is actually a DEMONIC PART OF ME that has risen to the surface due to a lifetime of abuse. Guess what? It’s time to take that abuse right back to the a**holes who’ve been spewing AT ME- an give it right back to them. It is in fact- long overdue. You don’t like my attitude? Then get the f**k out of my way. Publish the map. There’s a whole lot I can do without ever leaving the privacy of my own home.

By: Joshua Steele

Joshua Steele — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 01:40:08 +0000

Most people were from Orange, Riverside, and San Diego Counties.