Nov. 8th, 2008

joreth: (Super Tech)
OK, everyone here should know by now that I'm against marriage in general.

But I'm even more against discrimination.  If something is a right, whether I agree with that right or not, if it already exists, then all legal adult citizens should have equal access to that right.

So, to protest the three new examples of hatred and bigotry, I remind everyone of the Pro-Marriage bumper sticker, which says "Marriage =" and a circle of people of both genders.  I recommend everyone who abhors the latest example of ignorance and discrimination, publicly declare their disapproval and get either this one, or one of the many Gay Marriage bumper stickers ... or better yet, both.
joreth: (Polydragon)
Copied from [livejournal.com profile] starchy 's LJ post to help spread the word:

In pushing its members in California to vote yes on Proposition 8, and in pushing its members everywhere to contribute time and money to the campaign against relationship equality in our state, the Mormon church (LDS) has violated the terms of its federal tax-exempt status. Section 501(c)(3) of US Code Title 26 provides such status to entities "...organized and operated exclusively for religious... no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation..." That it was in violation of this requirement could not be clearer, and it was exactly the sort of violation this section of the law was intended to protect against. Churches cannot become PACs, in whole or in part, and expect to still be treated as nothing more than churches in the eyes of the law.

A blog has been set up at lds501c3.wordpress.com with further details and instructions on how you can register a formal complaint with the IRS, including a partially pre-filled form to take some of the pain out of the process. I encourage all of my readers to do so. This isn't simply about revenge (if you want to be unkind) or justice (as is my view of it), but about upholding the principle of separation between church and state and preventing the unfettered setting of a very dangerous precedent.

For those interested in the legal side of the fight, both the context leading up to where we are now and the suits filed to undo the damage, [personal profile] maradydd has been parsing the legalese into something human readable here and here. If you live in California, I encourage you to read it and, as a nice side effect, gain a deeper understanding of your inalienable rights as a citizen.

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