Oregon-based religious-right groups are gathering signatures for a petition to rescind two laws passed by the legislature and signed by the governor: one that creates domestic partnerships for gay couples, and a second that bars discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations. Led by David Crowe of Restore America, anti-gay activists are targeting pastors to reach the required signature count by the 25th of this month. “Look, you're offending God if you're not willing to take a stand for his fundamental creation institution, which is marriage,” pled Crowe.
When we last checked in, Crowe was calling the anti-discrimination bill “the most sweeping and culturally devastating law in Oregon history, establishing pagan morality under the guise of a 'civil right,' and imposing it upon all Oregonians under the cover of 'law.’” His ally at the state Constitution Party called the two bills “a recipe for civil war,” adding, “This legislation will lock religious people inside their church buildings and let perversion occupy the rest of the landscape!”
But with time running out to put anti-gay measures on the 2008 ballot, Crowe is trying to outdo himself. His latest e-mail claims that sexual predators “trolling for a good time” in women’s restrooms would somehow be protected under the anti-discrimination law:
Your daughter may pull her panties up to discover a man in the Women's Restroom!
Men's and Women's Restrooms, a thing of the past?
After January 1, 2008 anyone will have access to Men's and Women's Restrooms, no questions asked. Your daughter may pull her panties up to discover a man in the Women's Restroom. He can claim that he felt like a woman that day and be protected by a law passed by the Oregon legislature and signed by the Governor. He may not be homosexual, just out trolling for a good time. It's true! And after January 1, unless you sign the petition to stop this bill, the predator will be protected by Oregon law! …
On January 1, 2008 - unless we ACT - Benson, and others will be free to do the same thing in any public or business restroom or locker room in the State of Oregon! He can claim that he felt like a woman that day and according to Senate Bill 2 he will be protected should you protest!
Thanks to our enlightened legislature, if you protest, he can sue YOU and claim the protections of his behavior under SB 2. He may not be homosexual, just out trolling for a good time! And you and your daughter or son, or your wife, will no longer be protected by current law.
