New Jersey Gay Rights Activists Threaten Trenton Lawmakers
December 7, 2009 by NJ News
Filed under Local Politics
Trenton, NJ – “”If Democrats don’t vote for marriage equality, progressives will walk away…not volunteering, not giving money and we’ll learn how to sit on our hands come election time.” That was the message today from Steven Goldstein, chairman of Garden State Equality said if lawmakers do not pass a marriage equality law that will allow same sex couples to marry in New Jersey.
The group seems to feel that their support and backing of New Jersey Democrats means that lawmakers should now repay the favor with a special interest law that rewards them for their contributions and support. While the law may pass before Governor elect Chris Christie takes office, if it does not Christie has already stated he will veto the measure. Jon Corzine for whom the group supported, obviously will sign legislation if it reaches his desk.
In what seems like a special interest shake down of our government, only time will tell how our legislators will vote on this bill. While we are certainly at a time in our nation’s progression where same sex unions should be acceptable, is it acceptable for special interest groups to feel entitled empowered to threaten our lawmakers publicly for voting on behalf of their constituents? Should New Jersey Democrats approve the same sex marriage bill to reward their campaign supporters?
What do you think?
“is it acceptable for special interest groups to feel entitled empowered to threaten our lawmakers publicly for voting on behalf of their constituents?”
LBGT voters are our lawmakers’ constituents, as well. Why shouldn’t they make their voices heard?
Are you out of your mind? This “threat” was in direct response to a threat from NOM, the National Organization for Marriage, which has been viciously opposed to gay marriage and is now resorting to countersuing plaintiffs and making threats to state legislatures. If you know the gay lobby, you know they will *NOT* be outdone, ever. I wasn’t even there and I can tell you how these people reacted: When they heard NOM had threatened legislators, they saw red. And today, when it counts, they are issuing the same threat for those who dare to oppose their equality.
The gay marriage issue has become a war. And now all is fair. I have to chuckle at this article’s attempt to make it sound as if only one side is employing these tactics. This threat was issued *in response to* a threat from anti-family organization NOM, who are trying to wreck the lives of gay families and their little defenseless children. I cannot fathom, cannot for the life of me fathom how NOM and their defenders sleep at night. All I do is picture the faces of those poor little children, and I know which side I stand on, now and forever.
Thank you.
First of all, it’s pretty clear that the author of this ‘article’ has his/her own opinion and agenda by characterizing marriage equality proponents as merely ‘threatening’ rather than advocating for their rights. It’s a little disappointing to see such biased tone in an article that is not qualified as an editorial, and which doesn’t even identify an author.
Furthermore, it’s belittling to describe passage of marriage equality legislation as a reward to NJ Democrats’ campaign supporters. Legislators have to consider the reaction of their constituency with every move they make, and all NJ legislators should be prepared to alienate certain constituents based on which side they support. NJ Democrats will support marriage equality if their conscience and constituency support it, not as a returned favor to their pro-gay-rights base. However, they should not be surprised if their choices incur backlash from some demographics—just as EVERY vote they cast may incur backlash.
Marriage equality is a civil right that should be afforded to all Americans, gay or striaght. Treating marriage equality as a “favor” meant to appease the whining masses of bleeding hearts undercuts this reality. NJ Democrats would do well not to underestimate the importance of this legislation to all residents of NJ, as well as to their own political futures.
I found it clear that this author supported gay marriage and don’t support special interests making threats to lawamkers. Lots of people are triedd gay rights being shoved down there throats. IF an oil companies threatened law makers, it would be considered a consipiricy. It comes as no suprise that politicians lied to the GLBT community to win their vote. It happens to everyone.
You’re serious!!! You point to ‘gay activists’ as pressuring the legislature for special interest??? What about NOM and their millions of dollars being spent to push their weight around and pressuring the legislature? What about the Catholic Church and their bishops demanding their parishoners to pressure their legislators and withholding communion from legislators who vote against the chruch’s viewpoint??? And this author has the nerve to make it appear one-sided????
Mixer:
Just from the tone of this article and your comment, it IS obvious how you and the author really feel about Same-Sex Marriage.
Therefore, Let me get some facts straight for you:
1. The author is portraying these actions as threats. However, Gay Rights advocates are simply saying to politicians, “We have supported you as a candidate and you have promised to represent us. Start representing us, or we will NO LONGER support you.” It is their right to support a candidate who represents them when passing laws…. or refuse to support a candidate who denies them any rights. I would do the same thing. SO WOULD YOU!
2. These are not threats, but rather tactics that have been used by lobbyists, conservatives, and Christian groups THROUGHOUT American history. Now, all of the sudden, the Gays are doing it… and it’s a “threat”?!?!?! Catholic churches hand out pamphlets to parishioners EVERY ELECTION. These pamphlets state how each candidate votes on abortion and gay rights. The church “urges” their parishioners to “do the right thing” and vote for the good “moral” candidate. You don’t think these INFLUENCE politicians?
3. Your statement (nice spelling, by the way): “Lots of people are triedd gay rights being shoved down there throats.” … and your comparison to an “oil consipiricy”. Unfortunately, these are completely FALSE. This entire movement was started by CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVES, not homosexuals. “Protect Marriage” Amendments started popping up all over the country over 10 years ago. In EVERY SINGLE CASE, it was Christian Conservative groups putting these things on the ballot. Gays and Lesbians finally got sick of having laws passed against them, so they started fighting back in courts and legislature. So, who is shoving what down whose throat? I suggest you do your homework before making such statements.
4. Let me give you an example of a THREAT:
After CA residents voted on Prop 8, it went to the CA Supreme Court to judge it’s validity. The Conservative “National Organization for Marriage” (NOM) held a press conference just before the trial. They literally THREATENED the CA Supreme Court justices stating, “If any Supreme Court Justice votes to strike down Prop 8, we will lead a campaign to have them impeached.” Now THAT is a threat. Pretty ballsy if you ask me, threatening a Supreme Court Justice… to ignore the law.
Give me a break. The gay community has given countless money to the democratic party, we canvass for the democrats and always come out and vote and yet when given the opportunity to support equality that is so often promised, we end up with very little. If the democrats think the free ride is going to continue, they are wrong. History is on the side of the gay civil rights movement and the time for courage is now for the democratic party and frankly its time for the moderate republicans to step up to the plate or miss yet another opportunity with a civil rights movement.
There is no Constitutional right for homosexuals to marry. Contrary to popular delusion, homosexuals are not a newly discovered race or sex. This is a lifestyle choice. The MAJORITY of Americans do not want to change the definition of marriage. They understand the financial and legal implications of opening that Pandora’s Box. In fact, there is enough evidence accumulated from Massachusetts where clashes of faith versus lifestyle have already arisen. Homosexuality and “gay marriage” will be taught in schools, it will be forced on churches and church-related organizations by way of “discrimination”, and people will have to spend time and money defending their faith in court. Homosexuals are only 1-2% of the population and their ardent supporters maybe another 5%. On the other hand, people of faith are a HUGE percentage of the population. Democrats are not good at math, but if they keep pushing “gay marriage” they will likely get a math lesson in 2010.
Mary–so tell us, when did you choose to be heterosexual?
No one teaches about marriage in schools. No one will force churches to marry anyone they don’t want to marry. Since when do two Jews get married by a Catholic priest? Seriously? Get a grip, Mary.
Mary and all homophobes (let’s just call a spade a spade):
To Glenn’s point, when exactly did you CHOOSE to be a hetero?
Also, the 1-2% of the “homosexual population” plus “maybe 5%…ardent supporters” are still almost 50% of the vote….and as you old homophobes die off, that almost 50% will soon be 70%.
“Pushing Gay Marriage” is ironic since the gays have to put up with all the movies and cr@p watching breeders marry ‘cuz they have to out of family obligation, ‘accidental’ [blessing?] pregnancy, and brittany-spears type quickie divorces….not to mention the Jon and Kate Plus 8 dibocal where they started out as such “Christians”….
“Change the definition of marriage.” From what exactly? Biblical times when women were property, men had several wives, and ‘marriage’ was for the sole purpose of procreation (which you claim it still is today – - BUT if that were true….wouldn’t the churches be filled with mormon-sized families?)
Final thought: How many gay families with children are formed ‘accidentally’….I haven’t met one yet.
Mary Waterton, are you admitting to having lesbian thoughts throughout your life? You secretly want to be with a woman, but you choose to be with a man? According to your own words, the answer is yes, since you say that being gay is a choice. If you are indeed not a lesbian-in-waiting, then you know full well that being gay is not a choice.
Also, where do you get your numbers? The gay population is at about 15%. Throw in all of the confused people that have their churches and families telling them one thing and their heart and mind telling them another and the number is probably much higher.
Mary Waterton, you claim to be good at math, but you obviously are not. If it were only 1-2% and then 5% of their supporters, the votes on things like Prop 8 wouldn’t come out close to 50/50 with the winner only winning by a few percentage points. For it to come out close to 50/50 you’d need 15% of the population and then 35% supporters.
Go back to school or back to watching Fox News. Your choice.
The gay population is nowhere near 15%, that seems like a number you made up. The Gay marriage advocates are really spreading the bots out to look for anti gay marriage postings, then attacking them as racist bigots or something. Just like cali after prop 8 hwen whacked out gays spewed racist hate at black church members. face it, this effort is doomed as well. lesniak postponed the vote because it will lose, as it should.
It is just an amazing thing to SEE and HEAR those who threaten the lives of people – WHO think that there will not be a serious retaliation against them. Please, if someone were to threaten me – I would not hesitate to comply with that threat and respond to it. I suggest that threats be taken seriously – that if the police are not immediately engaged that the threat be dealt with hard and fast. Do not fear those who threaten you – deal with them effectively! SERIOUSLY! Common Sense Dictates a response.
My original issue as a blogger is not any sort of anti-gay sentiment. I even said it’s time society accepts it for what it is. Do I like it? No. Will I do it? No. Does it affect me? No. Will it make a certain portion of our population happy? absolutely and that’s good for the state and so is the business it will generate.
My concern and what I have issue with is how this group is threatening our politicians because they “Supported” them. Boo Hoo. Politicians lie every day and just because you support them does not mean they should feel obligated or threatened into throwing any lobbyists a bone.
It’s no different than the oil companies, healthcare companies or any other lobbyist shaking down tax payers. I also agree. If they vote this down, which they probably won’t you do have every right to never support these people again and/or run and support gay rights candidates in the future.
I just don’t think any group should expect favors because they donated money or worked on campaigns. You get to have your voice heard every November if you’re not happy with their decisons.
Special interests with money should not have any more influence or power than 1 man holding a protest sign in front of the state capital, but unfortunately that is how politics works and people like Corzine go where the money and the votes are.
Again. I’m for gay rights and marriage. I’m not a religous nut, but it’s very foreign to me, but who am I to judge. I just hope you can win your vote the right way instead of using intimidation tactics. That statement can crush your entire cause and the community should be above that.
Christians can’t be intimidated by threats.The Catholics church is not new to persecutions.True Christian will continue to offer love and die for it.
Look at their Lord and Master, Jesus “love crucified”.
It’s hard to scare someone who doesn’t believe in Death!
1 Corinthians 15:55
O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?
Douay-Rheims Bible
So, anyone who opposes “gay marriage” is a “homophobe” or is guilt of “hate”? Yawwwn…Can’t you come up with better material? Those fallacious arguments are getting a bit tired don’t you think? How about actually arguing against what people(be it the Church or people in secular society)have against so called gay marriage. That takes logic and reason which are things I don’t see a lot of from the pro-gay marriage crowd.
Gay and lesbian,are sodomites.Please use the correct term God gave them.
or they won’t be convicted of their sins.
Now those so-called Christian gays/lesbians please read your Bible.
Same sex marriages are an abomination even for Muslims.They can’t expose themselves in Muslim countries..
They flourished in Godly America cause of Christian belief in the sanctity of life OR if like other religions,none of them will be performing their perverted acts in the streets of San Francisco!
Why can’t they just do their thing and stop convincing us that their’s are normal.
Also for those God believing sodomite,the bible is saying that God put a curse
on those who do these like divination sorcery,ect. up to the seventh generations
Any uncle,aunties or grandparents who are gay? may I ask?