Marriage Equality: And Here Come The Haters To New York, Ready Or Not

By David Mixner -

Anyone observing the marriage equality debates over the last years can always count on one organization with one tactic. The anti-LGBT National Organization for Marriage (NOM) sweeps in at the last moment with buckets of money, tons of threats and loads of misinformation. They put the fear of God into less courageous politicians, create chaos in the legislature and have half the state ready to hide their children from the horrible awful homosexuals.
We have seen them kill the legislation in Maryland and create chaos and stop marriage equality in Rhode Island. The question has not been if they would come to New York but when they would arrive with their truckloads of hate. Anyone who thought we would just cruise along to marriage equality without the appearance of NOM, I have a bridge to sell you.
Well, they have arrived.
NOM has announced they will spend $1.5 million dollars to defeat marriage equality in New York. They claim they will spend a half a million on ads and another million in the 2012 elections defeating anyone who dares to vote for marriage equality. What they are really saying is that they will pillory any Republican who dares to oppose their hate filled campaign. Now that they have arrived we can expect their usual traveling companions. Roll out the red carpet for Cardinal Egan who will roar in disbelief that the Empire State will approve marriage equality. Tony Perkins will not be far behind. James Dobson and his Focus On The Family will have a few choice words of venom to add.
The story is not what they are going to do. The issue is what are we going to do in response to this hate. Have each and every one of you sent a check to New Yorkers United for Marriage yet? Have you bothered to call your legislature, even if they are friends, and demand that this bill be passed? Have you pressured ten straight friends to stand with you in this epic battle? (Friendfactor). Are you going to count on others to do your work and then complain when we are not successful?
This is it folks. All aboard. No one gets to sit on the sidelines. Just one remember one very important fact: It not about NOM will do, it is about what you will do.

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