Date: Fri, 1 Jul 1994 09:53:17 EDT [ Send replies to rmisaac@ESKIMO.COM ] BACKGROUND: ** It is a common misconception, repeatedly propagated by the supporters of Initiatives 608/610, that Bigot Busters harass and intimidate both voters and petitioners. This has become a sort of accepted wisdom ("the big lie," one among many the Right is telling here lately). The truth is that Bigot Busters operate in a respectful manner (there are many good and obvious reasons for doing so), and this approach was an integral part of the training Bigot Busters received. Bigot Busters are, moreover, well aware of the legal and public relations ramifications of acting otherwise. Many people making this false claim have no first-hand information of any Bigot Buster action. ** Initiative 608 took out full-page ads in major Washington newspapers today, filled with distortions and lies, among which are claims that it is the opponents who are demonstrating bigotry and denying Washingtonians the chance to vote on the initiatives by opposing their appearance on the ballot;... that civil rights for queers will "dilute" those of other groups;...that the initiatives prohibiting any positive or neutral mention of homosexuality in any school or university will keep the state "neutral." Parts of the ad placed today were censored by all the state's major newspapers for being too graphic in its description of gay sexual activity (descriptions supposedly taken from school curricula; again untrue). ** Recently, the leader of 610 called gays and lesbians "not decent people...the scum of the earth." (Seattle Times, 6/24/94). A certain talk-show host felt it necessary to encourage his listeners today to tie up the Bigot Busters hotline (hello, FCC?). So, the heat has certainly been turned up as the campaign reaches the July 8 deadline. In this atmosphere, Bigot Busters has issued this statement to the editors of the Seattle Times and Seattle Post-Intelligencer and the Seattle Gay News: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- To the Editor: Supporters of Initiatives 608/610 live in an upside-down world. Theirs is a world where equal rights for all is called "special rights" for some, but where second-class citizenship is called "equal rights." Where ignorance, fear and prejudice are elevated to the law of the land, and self-defense is called bigotry. Where affirming the human dignity of all "degrades" that of others. Where some Americans "deserve" civil rights more than others, and those others must prove their worthiness to self-appointed judges. Where civil rights must be rationed. A world where a small minority can put the civil rights of another minority up for a popular vote. Where abridging constitutional rights is called "the will of the people," but where defending them is called "undemocratic." Where competent people are fired from their jobs with no legal recourse. Where good tenants are thrown onto the streets with no legal recourse. Where censoring the free exchange of ideas down to one point of view is called "neutrality." Where people who claim no interest in others' sexual orientation would have the state investigate their friends' sexual behavior should they get divorced. Where "family values" rhetoric means stripping children from fit parents and loving homes. Where people who fight inclusion of gays and lesbians in civil-rights protections claim we're already covered. Where discrimination against and hatred of gays and lesbians runs rampant, but it is claimed it doesn't exist. Where people who would abridge others' civil rights claim theirs are being abridged by those who object. Where polite interaction is "harassment" and "intimidation" and where vilifying a whole class of people with falsehoods and stereotypes is fair play. Where those who demand respect give none to others. Where pious people feel no shame distorting and inventing facts, spreading rumors, and printing fallacious garbage too graphic even for the press. Where people who claim to love the sinner and hate the sin call others "the scum of the earth." Where the Ten Commandments only go up to eight. Where the Golden Rule does not apply. Bigot Busters does not, and has never, disputed or interfered with Initiative 608/610's right to collect signatures in a legal manner. What we do is try to explain the true effects of these initiatives to those willing to listen. We do so in a non-confrontational manner, despite the clear threat to our civil rights that these initiatives pose. To do otherwise would clearly be counterproductive. Claims to the contrary are totally fictitious, though it comes as no surprise to us that self-righteous zealots might feel intimidated by dedicated persons who have the nerve to act in defense of their own civil rights and who put the lie to 608/610's twisted propaganda in their very presence. Bigot Busters urges Washington voters to examine their consciences, their dedication to human dignity, pluralism and equality of all Americans under the law, and most of all, to examine Initiatives 608/160. Turn the petitions over and read the fine print. By signing 608 or 610, you may think you're "protecting" your community. Don't believe it. What you will be doing is degrading and disenfranchising your neighbor, your friend, your child. Signed, Bigot Buster Steering Committee Deb Adams Lowell Barger Bill Dubay Patrick Hogan Richard Isaac Bob Lucht Scott Kasemeier Chris Smith Bruce Stores ----------------------------------------------------------------------- * Richard Isaac __*_*___ ***************************** \* * / Seattle * DECLINE TO SIGN 608/610 * *\ * * REPORT SIGHTINGS 322-2782 * ***\**/** rmisaac ***************************** \/ @eskimo.com