Gay Marriage Doesn't Harm Kids. But Lies Do.

categories: Gay Marriage, LGBT Education, LGBT Rights and Politics, Marriage Equality, State LGBT News

Published September 16, 2009 @ 08:50AM PT

No on 1

Opponents of marriage equality in Maine took to the airwaves yesterday with an advertisement that said LGBT people (specifically, in their words, "homosexual marriage") would be a threat to children and taught in schools. The advertisement is dishonest, plays up on fears, and distorts the truth about Maine's same-sex marriage law. So what's an activist to do?

Hit back with an advertisement that completely disarms the negativity and misrepresentations championed by people who hate on same-sex marriage. That's what the No on 1 Campaign did today, with a new ad that tells the truth about same-sex marriage, and what will and won't be taught in Maine's public schools.

The ad features Maine teacher Sherri Gould, who has been teaching in Maine since 1983. According to Gould, what's taught in the classroom is fairness and decency. "We teach respect and Maine values. That will never change."

That's right. Respect. Fairness. Decency. Those are the things that are taught in Maine public schools. It's too bad that opponents of marriage equality in Maine can't go back and take a few classes themselves on these subjects. Instead they rely on tired and false innuendo to suggest that gays and lesbians pose a public threat. That's not decent or fair. It's downright manipulative. And Maine voters will know the difference.

Check out the No on 1 ad below:

(Photo courtesy of samm4mrox's photostream on Flickr.)

Share this Post

Comments (30)

Just to add a couple of details. Some of the claims made in Stand for Marriage Maine's first TV advertisement opposing "homosexual marriage" don't hold up to scrutiny.

1. Special interest groups got the legislature to approve homosexual marriage.

The suggestion is that how else could such a thing pass or that this is not the independent will of Maine's legislature. It seems kind of odd to bring up special interest groups considering that the following are a few of the groups involved in banning gay marriage in Maine: National Organization for Marriage, Opus Dei, The Mormon Church, The Catholic Church, Focus on the Family, Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, Knights of Columbus, etc.

2. A "consequence" of same-sex marriage will be that churches could lose their tax exempt status. The tag reads "… its challenge was filed … at an Internal Revenue Service office"

As "proof" they show an AP headline "Homosexual Advocacy Group Accuses Maine Diocese of Violating Tax Law." The complaint has nothing directly to do with same-sex marriage. Empowering Spirits Foundation filed a challenge saying that the diocese engaged in political activity by collecting signatures for the referendum to ban same-sex marriage. Doing so is a violation of IRS rules applying to nonprofits. Same-sex marriage is incidental to the issue. This is not a consequence of same-sex marriage. It is a consequence of the church being involved in the political activity to ban same-sex marriage.

3. In claiming "Homosexual Marriage Taught in Schools they cite Parker v. Hurley.

This is better known by the other plaintiffs, the Wirthens who are professional anti-gay activists. This is a manufactured fear. Aside from the fact that Maine does not require family-life education and allows parents to opt out of such classes. But that misses the point. What if children did learn that gay people marry in some locales? Is this supposed to turn them into queers? Exactly what is the argument?

Ultimately, this advertisement continues to highlight a simple fact. Those who wish to ban same sex marriage do not have a coherent argument supporting the notion that gay marriage affects anyone else.

http://www.tips-q.com/1363360-anti-gay-marriage-ad-part-ii

Posted by David Hart on 09/16/2009 @ 12:10PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by David
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
I agree mr. hart...

None of the anti-equality idiots could ever hope to win without lying about homosexuals and the irony is that theyre so stupid that they'll never figure out that if they gotta lie to win then thats proof enough that theyre wrong.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/16/2009 @ 01:13PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
I couldn't agree with you more, Thomas! These people can only get marriage equality repealed by lying against LGBTQ people. We need to challenge these lies every time these hate groups spew their lying garbage abou our lies!

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 09/17/2009 @ 07:26AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
I meant "about our lives."

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 09/18/2009 @ 07:32AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Thomas
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Telling the truth, though, doesn't mean that we win. That is important to understand. Furthermore, our opponents have a much lower burden.

All that they are required to do is to give out permission slips for people to be "excusably" intolerant. That is precisely what they do when the introduce children into the argument.

One of NOM's disingenuous talking points is that "every child deserves a mom and dad." That bit of cognitive dissonance overlooks the fact that the same heterosexual couples will have the same marriages, sue for the same divorces and bear the same children. Moreover, children adopted by gay couples have neither a mom nor a dad before they are adopted.

These folks are neither "idiots" nor "stupid." They know exactly what they are doing. Their constructions are focus-group tested. I get too angry to run an effective campaign in opposition. On the other hand, I often feel that marriage equality advocates are too gentle. When an honest debate is averted, a little "Rahm" seems appropriate.

David

Posted by David Hart on 09/16/2009 @ 02:15PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 2 people like this comment. Like
I agree mr. hart...

But fighting their lies with the truth is an important first step.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/18/2009 @ 03:38PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
I agree, especially about your part about how advocates are being too gentle. The problem I see with many LGBT is that we do not want to offend people but bring them closer to us. In all honesty I could care less who I upset, because those that oppress us do so willingly and joyfully they do not want to be close to us they want us eradicated from the face of this planet, and those who wish for middle ground are selling us out for second class citizenship. When it comes to the issue of human rights, there is no middle ground. We are human beings, not free trade agreements. And what gets me is that this oppression is no different than the others when it came to blacks, women, Japanese, and Native Americans. Why must we keep repeating history? oh that's right... Its because the oppressors find historical fact, that does not mention the "bible," as abhorrently evil as science and homosexuality.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 09/19/2009 @ 08:40AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by David
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Intolerant conservatives against same-sex marriage don't have a credible reason against that very important right. However, the No on 1 has done the correct thing by airing a commercial on the truth that tolerance trumps and will always trump intolerance against LGBT people. The intolerant conservatives use the nonsense reason of which tolerance taught in schools will harm students, but tolerance in schools will give students the greatness of tolerance.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 09/16/2009 @ 02:52PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Would you say there is anything in life you don't tolerate? Do you tolerate stealing, disobedience, road rage, etc.? Also, where do you get your standard for what you do and do not tolerate? Does your standard change so that possibly 100 years from now children are taught to tolerate stealing because it is just another option in life and should be treated equally with honesty? I believe the ones you call intolerant are just holding on to the constant truths. Homosexuality is violating their beliefs just like their "intolerance" is violating yours. Correct?

Posted by david zellers on 09/17/2009 @ 09:08PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Mr. zellers...

Thats a bullshit argument and we all know it.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/18/2009 @ 03:40PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Ah Mr. Zellers, let us turn back the clock fifty years... in 1950 integration of African Americans was highly against the beliefs of "white male christians." However by your logic that systemic racism, balled up with bigotry, ignorance, and people who were just plain assholes, are in the right, because, in your words. It "is violating their beliefs just like their intolerance is violating your."

Or am I mistaken on my well documented historical facts Mr Zellers?

Posted by Chris Marshall on 09/18/2009 @ 09:07PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Edwin
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
The Anti GLBT people needs to understand, what harms children is their divorce rates in USA.. Christian fundies divorce more then any GLBT people..

Plus their hate against the GLBT community sort of reminds me of the idiots who were against interacial marriage Act,which this law passed in 1967.. half of those idiots parents wouldn't have gotten married if Loving v. Virginia, 388 U.S. 1 (1967), was a landmark civil rights case in which the United States Supreme Court by a 9-0 vote declared Virginia's anti-miscegenation statute, the "Racial Integrity Act of 1924",...

http://www.encyclopediavirginia.org/Loving_v_Virginia_1967

Peace

Posted by Lara Nunes on 09/16/2009 @ 02:58PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
I agree. The divorce rate is a terrible testimony to others. But does one groups error stamp approval on another groups error?

Posted by david zellers on 09/17/2009 @ 09:14PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Well mr. zellers...

Who are you to say that same sex love is an error ?

I believe the point she was making is that the bible thumpers need to clean their own house and keep it clean before they go around telling others how to run their households.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/18/2009 @ 03:43PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
According to Dr. John Gottman of the Gottman institute of relationship psychology, "same sex relationships are the vanguard of what heterosexual relationships could become. Heterosexuals could learn quite a bit from their homosexual counterparts."

Damn... If thats the objective science I would hate to see what his opinions are on his fellow heterosexual friends and their marriages.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 09/18/2009 @ 09:09PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Lara
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Gee, Christian fundies divorce rates are higher than those of people who can't marry in most states and have only been able to marry in an handful of the others for a very short time? Who'd a thunk it.

Posted by Thomas Berg on 09/17/2009 @ 07:30AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- Like
And your point is ?

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/18/2009 @ 03:43PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
LOL i know his point. Berg good observation. Some correlate the divorce rate amongst reborn against to be the highest at 34% where atheist are only at 22% but gays in the Netherlands are at an all time low at 17%.

Basically what it all has to boil down too is if the couple harbors gender neutrality. Those who conform to strict gender roles in marriage often have higher rates of divorce. It could be because of the oppression of the female partner in the relationship, but there are many other variables. However the more religious an area the poorer the followers seem to be and the higher the divorce rate.

Posted by Chris Marshall on 09/18/2009 @ 09:14PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- 2 people like this comment. Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Thomas
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
GLBTQ people are not in error. You have no right to limit our civil rights because of your intolerance. Grow up and realise that people are different. Believe what you want but stay out of my life and that includes my marriage!

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 09/18/2009 @ 07:34AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Ioan
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
I always chuckle when I hear that same-sex marriage will be "taught" in school. Hm... maybe if someone "taught" kids about opposite-sex marriage the divorce rates would drop?

Otherwise, I keep wondering if I was absent from school the day the marriage class was taught?

Posted by Lisa Smolen on 09/18/2009 @ 07:50AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 2 people like this comment. Like
I agree...

Its always laughable how the fundietards want to run the lives of others when they cant even manage their own...Laughable and pathetic.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/18/2009 @ 03:45PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Lisa
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
The reason some people repeat history is because theyfear to evolve. some things if we drop the discrimination problems based on their holy books that life will die.

its really sad when I hear from some fundies of all religion beackgrounds, who say GLBT community are the people who molest children when in truth that is false. many children who are molested are done by people who are not GLBT.. it is done by people who non GLBT.

Here is a website about goverment officals who are child molesters and who are not GLBT.

http://nogw.com/download/2006_republican_pedos.pdf

Posted by Lara Nunes on 09/19/2009 @ 09:01AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
I agree miss nunes...

I find it intresting that in addition to misusing quotes in their bible, bible thumpers feel the need to add lies about homosexuals in order to advance their evil agenda of prejudice and intollerance...Almost as if their bible aint enough and/or is in error and they know it but lack the courage to face that truth...

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/19/2009 @ 05:48PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Lara
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Sorry people my spelling is wacked out... Lets try this again.

The reason some people repeat history is because they fear to evolve. some people thinks if they drop the discrimination problems based on their holy books that life will die.

its really sad when I hear from some fundies of all religion backgrounds, who say GLBT community are the people who molest children when in truth this is false. Many children who are molested are done by people who are not GLBT.. Here is a website about goverment officals who are child molesters and who are not GLBT.

Below is a PDF document of Goverment officals who are Child Molesters.

http://nogw.com/download/2006_republican_pedos.pdf

Posted by Lara Nunes on 09/19/2009 @ 09:04AM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Thank you miss nunes.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/19/2009 @ 05:52PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Lara
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Well Not just the Bible thumpers, if you read what the Torah say about GLBT since the first five books and the old Testaments are supposely came from the Torah. And the Quran I am sure has some scribtures as well.Since all three religion are brothers and sister from each other.

Peace

Posted by Lara Nunes on 09/19/2009 @ 06:28PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Lara
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Plus the bible quote the christian fundies used is actually misread and plus many bible thumbers doesn't know about research and history..

I found this,which was interesting to read. Its got alittle bit of history and other sort and really is just commen sense.

Homophobia and the Bible

ROBERT W. KARNAN
10/4/94

Following is the text of the sermon Bob Karnan gave at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Portsmouth, NH, on October 4,1994. Bob was pastor of this church, also known as South Church, for nine years prior to his untimely and tragic death in the summer of 1995.

http://eaglewoman.rscsites.org/essays/karnan.htm

Posted by Lara Nunes on 09/19/2009 @ 06:40PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Indeed and thank you again miss nunes.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 09/20/2009 @ 05:05PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Lara
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply
Oh, bless Mike or whomever deleted the odious post from Larry Villa! I still have them in my response emails from change.org.

Can you imagine being that madman's child and being LBTQ? He is seriously unbalanced--I hope he never does any LGBTQ person harm.

Anyhow Tomas and everyone else here, have a great rest of the weekend!

Posted by Ioan Lightoller on 10/18/2009 @ 12:08PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Reply
- 1 person likes this comment. Like
Thanks miss lightoller and may you and your wife have one as well.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/24/2009 @ 10:23PM PT
- Report close
  You must be signed in to report content.
- Like
Reply to thread
For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment. In the process we will also create a Change.org account for you so you can track this and future conversations. Don't worry - we won't spam you. We just want to promote constructive dialogue and find that people are more respectful when they are not anonymous.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

reply to thread started by by Ioan
Check Spelling
- Email me when there are new posts to this thread
- Comment Policy
Cancel Reply

Add a Comment

For your comment to be published, you will need to confirm your email address after submitting your comment.

If you already have an account, click here to log in.

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Create Password:

Comment

Check Spelling

Email me when there are new posts to this thread
Comment Policy

Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in the posts. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; that contain ad hominem attacks; or that are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion.

Author

Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.