I write often about the myth perpetuated by Christianists that sexual orientation is a "choice" or "lifestyle choice." Never mind that legitimate medical and mental health experts disagree with the false characterization. For Christianist the choice myth is utterly essential because they know full well that once sexual orientation is recognized as an immutable trait, then discriminatory laws begun to run into a constitutional brick wall. Hence why so many of the most extreme Christianist organizations either operate their own or help fund "ex-gay" ministries. This one of the biggest frauds being on the general public, but the Christianists continue the choice drumbeat regardless of its falsity. They are lying, know that they are lying, and simply do not care that they are lying. In Perry v. Schwarzenegger we are seeing a clear example of how the Prop 8 supporters term being gay as a "choice" while the plaintiffs' experts say that it is not a choice. The Edge has an article that looks at this deliberate lying that's now occurring in federal court - something that ought to be grounds for a contempt finding in my opinion. Here are some highlights:*
The language used by Proposition 8 proponents ahead of the Nov. 2008 vote and by their attorneys in the early days of the federal trial provided an indication of the parameters they are expected to use when they begin their defense late next week.
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In terminology repeated in almost every phase of the trial so far, Prop 8 supporters have referred to homosexuality as a "lifestyle" rather than a core identity, that gays are sexual predators whose reputation legitimizes fears and past increases of gay rights outweigh any need for full marital integration.
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Expert witnesses for the legal team seeking to overturn the referendum talked about "identity" or "orientation." Attorneys who questioned them on cross examination have changed that to "choice" or "lifestyle."
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"It’s interesting that the proponents consistently refer to an individual’s ’lifestyle,’" Shannon Minter, an attorney for the National Center for Lesbian Rights who is attending the trial, told EDGE. "They seem to consistently be suggesting that being gay is a choice, that it’s not a legitimate identity and it’s okay for the government to be prejudiced against being gay."
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Griffin compared Yes on 8’s messaging to Anita Bryant’s "Save the Children" campaign from the 1970s. "They’re no different," he said of Tam and his ProtectMarriage.com colleagues. "Perhaps they attempted to be more diplomatic, but it’s no different."
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The language used by Proposition 8 proponents ahead of the Nov. 2008 vote and by their attorneys in the early days of the federal trial provided an indication of the parameters they are expected to use when they begin their defense late next week.
*
In terminology repeated in almost every phase of the trial so far, Prop 8 supporters have referred to homosexuality as a "lifestyle" rather than a core identity, that gays are sexual predators whose reputation legitimizes fears and past increases of gay rights outweigh any need for full marital integration.
*
Expert witnesses for the legal team seeking to overturn the referendum talked about "identity" or "orientation." Attorneys who questioned them on cross examination have changed that to "choice" or "lifestyle."
*
"It’s interesting that the proponents consistently refer to an individual’s ’lifestyle,’" Shannon Minter, an attorney for the National Center for Lesbian Rights who is attending the trial, told EDGE. "They seem to consistently be suggesting that being gay is a choice, that it’s not a legitimate identity and it’s okay for the government to be prejudiced against being gay."
*
Griffin compared Yes on 8’s messaging to Anita Bryant’s "Save the Children" campaign from the 1970s. "They’re no different," he said of Tam and his ProtectMarriage.com colleagues. "Perhaps they attempted to be more diplomatic, but it’s no different."
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In my view, ex-gays for pay are the lowest of the low since they are literally selling their souls and other gays out for money and acceptance by those who hate them. Hence why I assist Wayne Besen whenever possible in "outing" bogus ex-gays for pay.
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