http://adage.com/bigtent/post?article_id=132525
This is a recent ad created by the "No for 8" group. I am ashamed that someone in the advertising industry would do this.
In my response to the article in AdAge today I tried to inform people that I do belong to the "Yes on 8" group but that it is a matter to be weighed heavily. I tried to look at it from both groups perspective. My intention with this article is not to offend but to inform people about what is happening in the advertising world and my view point of it. This is what I wrote:
'This is definitely a story that has been weighing on my mind. My initial reaction was, "Sure let's give them same-sex marriage if that will make them happy." In my initial thought I never realized how far the government would take this action.
I am glad that people from many churches took the time to educate me about this issue. I did not realize that, as stated by Trevor from Vancouver, where same-sex marriage is already legal,
"(It) forced same-sex literature into the libraries of our children's schools and allowed same-sex education a forum there as well, but has given the platform for some authorities to push an agenda that would force churches to mandatorily perform same-sex unions despite religious convictions, or risk their tax-free status."
That is what truly bothers me. Taking away any churches freedom to practice union ceremonies how they believe, seems wrong to me. Considering the fact that we came to this country for that religious freedom.
What I just can't get over is how the same-sex communities advertising response is "hatred". This should not be allowed through any respectable ad agency. To make Utah a "hate state" is just plain ridiculous to me. The majority of citizens there are not even of the Mormon religion. Due to the desecration of religious buildings and hatred, I can only describe these actions as disgraceful.
And yes, I would be upset if this was overturned and I was same-sex oriented. However, these actions have given me ill feelings towards the same-sex community that were not there before. And while I don't agree with everything said by Jeff from Idaho, his concluding statement is starting to ring true, "Don't you find it a bit ironic that the same people who are asking for tolerance for their lifestyle seem to show very little tolerance for those who disagree with their viewpoint?"
All I ask is for the same-sex community to be considerate of others as well. I am sure their day is coming and that a compromise will eventually be reached. However, sending hate messages and desecrating buildings is not the answer. Please market yourselves better. You are better than that.' -Will Sharp
After I posted that someone posted the statistics on the vote and really makes you wonder why only the Mormons are being targeted with this. Their comments are as follows:
I'm Mormon and I find it despicable the lows that No of 8 supporters are resorting to - nearly all against Mormons who donated. People are losing their jobs, bomb threats against sacred Temples, death threats to supporters of 8. If the same means were exercised against gays and lesbian organizations, people would be arrested for hate crimes.
Just a little more information for those targeting the "Mormons".
Mormons make up less than 2% of the population of California. There are approximately 800,000 LDS out of a total population of approximately 34 million. Mormon voters were less than 5% of the yes vote. If one estimates that 250,000 LDS are registered voters (the rest being children), then LDS voters made up 4.6% of the Yes vote and 2.4% of the total proposition 8 vote.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) donated no money to the Yes on 8 campaign. Individual members of the Church were encouraged to support the Yes on 8 efforts and, exercising their constitutional right to free speech, donated whatever they felt like donating.
Advertising messages for the Yes on 8 campaign are based
on case law and real-life situations. The No on 8 supporters have insisted that the Yes on 8 messaging is based on lies. Every Yes on 8 claim is supported.
The Yes on 8 coalition was a broad spectrum of religious organizations. Catholics, Evangelicals, Protestants, Orthodox Jews, Muslims – all supported Yes on 8. It is estimated that there are 10 million Catholics and 10 million Protestants in California. Mormons were a tiny fraction of the population represented by Yes on 8 coalition members.
Not all Mormons voted in favor of Proposition 8. The Mormon faith accords that each person be allowed to choose for him or her self. Church leaders have asked members to treat other members with "civility, respect and love," despite their differing views.
African Americans overwhelmingly supported Yes on 8. Exit polls show that 70% of Black voters chose Yes on 8. Who's targeting them? If this really was about equal rights don't you think they of all people would have voted No. Why are there no protests in South Central?
Supporters of Proposition 8 did exactly what the Constitution provides for all citizens: they exercised their First Amendment rights to speak out on an issue that concerned them, make contributions to a cause that they support, and then vote in the regular electoral process. For the most part, this seems to have been done in an open, fair, and civil way. Opponents of 8 have accused supporters of being bigots, liars, and worse. The fact is supporters simply did what Americans do – they spoke up, they campaigned, and they voted.
People shouldn't be persecuted for being active in the democratic process. If this hate speech against supporters continues it could potentially deter other Americans from becoming active in the democratic process for fear of retaliation.
D. Hunsaker| Orange County, CA – D Hunsaker | Costa Mesa, CA
I know this is a long post but it is one that deeply concerns me. It doesn't make sense. Why fight "perceived" hate with hate? And why is a minority group targeting another minority group to vent their hatred?
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