Proposition 8 and the Bigoted Anti-Mormon Boycott

Proposition 8 passed, but the fight continues.  For those who live outside of California, here is the official summary of proposition 8 as it was presented to California voters by their attorney general:

• Changes the California Constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry in California.
  
• Provides that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

Reaction to the passage of California Proposition 8 has been intense.  By now you've heard stories about the insane rage of the same-sex marriage mob, which has consisted of physical violence, relentless intimidation, open hostility toward minorities, legal challenges and boycotts.

Activists who object to the passage of Proposition 8 say that equality, freedom, and fairness have been trampled; that homosexuals in California have been denied dignity and respect; and that religion is being forced upon them. Initially, anti-Proposition 8 activists directed their hostility to a broad range of Proposition 8 supporters—including minorities (who supported Proposition 8 overwhelmingly).  But over time, activists have taken care to assume a more politically correct posture and have focused their attention on a specific target: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In the words of one prominent blogger, "the Mormons dumped tons of money into California to take away the rights of gay Californians to marry. They won. Now, we fight back... If they want to force their religious beliefs on others, there should be consequences."  

The following is a list of businesses and groups that have been targeted for their support of Proposition 8 by various leftist organizations:

• All Marriott Hotels
  
• All Cinemark Theaters
  
• Franklin Templeton Investments
  
• Prince Group 
  
• Blackwater 
  
• Manchester Grand Hyatt, San Diego, CA 
  
• Grand del Mar Resort, San Diego, CA
  
• Whitetail Club and Resort, McCall, Idaho
  
• The Polynesian Cultural Center, Honolulu, Hawaii
  
• Hoehn Motors, Carlsbad, California
  
• A-1 Self Storage Company, San Diego, CA

Many of these businesses have been targeted because of their indirect support of Proposition 8 through their connection to the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am not a Mormon, but I believe this boycott is bigoted and that it should be actively opposed.  I also believe that "homosexual marriage" is an ill-conceived idea, so I am speaking in support of those who fought for the passage of proposition 8.

There are many reasons to preserve marriage in its conventional form, but a thorough exploration of the issue is beyond the scope of this discussion.  Suffice it to say that conventional families are the fundamental building blocks of our society and that children receive irreplaceable psychological benefits from living with a married mother and father. The more broadly we define marriage, the more unlikely it is that children will enjoy the psychological benefits of being raised by two parents, one of each gender.  Moreover, if the definition of marriage becomes too broad, marriage itself becomes meaningless.  

What happens when polygamists begin to demand their "rights"?  Their rhetorical argument would be simple: Shouldn't people involved in polygamous relationships be allowed to enjoy all the same rights enjoyed by homosexual and heterosexual couples, e.g., employment benefits, hospital visitation, and the right to adopt children?  I don't see any way to avoid this question—and because of the precedent set by the institution of homosexual marriage, there would be only one logical answer: yes.  Then marriage becomes whatever social arrangement you want to imagine it to be.  Equality is for EVERYONE, right?

If you agree with those who gave generously to support Proposition 8, and who are now under attack, perhaps you should consider undertaking efforts to support the supporters.  Where you have the opportunity, reverse the boycott by doing business with the victims of the bigoted anti-Mormon Boycott.  To paraphrase Michelle Malkin, inaction will yield an entirely predictable outcome: more intimidation of private businesses that hold views deemed unacceptable by the Equality-at-All-Costs Brigade.

More

It's Time to Speak Out Against The 'Mormon Boycot'

The Insane Rage of the Same-Sex Marriage Mob

The eHarmony Shakedown

Daily Kos: Boycott Mormon businesses and Anyone else who Supported Prop 8

Proposition 8 Opponents

Let The Mormon Boycott Begin

Californians Against Hate 

Prop. 8: Official Arguments and Rebuttals

Gay Marriage and a Moral Minority

Slideshow: World's Most Worthless Money