Yes on 8 threatens to “out” No on 8 donors

Not necessarily “out” them as homosexual (since there are plenty of straight supporters of the No on 8 campaign in California), but “out” them to customers, who would then presumably shun the Godless Commie Marriage-Hating Faggot-Loving businesses who dared speak up for marriage equality.

The letters being received start off nicely enough:

Equality California is advertising on its website that it has received a contribution of at least $10,000 from you. […] We are sure that you would want to review the way that they are using Abbott & Associates’ name, since many more of your clients support traditional marriage than support same sex marriage. A copy of an advertising page from Equality California’s website is enclosed for your information.

That’s rather nice of them — offering the opportunity for someone to weasel away from what they’ve done on the pretense that it’s Equality California that’s either lying or betraying the Deep Dark Secret that the contributor gave them money. Note the implicit implication that obviously nobody would openly give to Equality California, or wouldn’t be appalled that their donation had been made public by EC

They offer then to help the contributor make up for “this error.”

We respectfully request that Abbott & Associates withdraw its support of Equality California. Make a donation of a like amount to ProtectMarriage.com which will help us correct this error and restore Traditioal Marriage. A donation form is enclosed. We will be most grateful and will advertise on our website Abbott & Associates’ generous contribution.

Isn’t that nice of them? “Back off of your earlier commitment, fork over some dough, and we’ll tell everyone that you’re holy and righteous.”

Then the kid gloves come off. (Emphasis below mine.)

Were you to elect not to donate comparably, it would be a clear indication that you are in opposition to traditional marriage. You would leave us no other reasonable assumption. The names of any companies and organizations that choose not to donate in like manner to ProtectMarriage.com but have given to Equality California will be published. It is only fair for Proposition 8 supporters to know which companies and organizations oppose traditional marriage.

Jeez, where does one start? Well, for starters, there’s the false dichotomy. I love and support traditional marriage. I think the dedicated commitment of love before society (and, for those who wish that sort of thing, God) is a truly wonderful thing. So wonderful and powerful and transformative and life-giving that I think it should be open to gay couples, too. I really don’t see the conflict. Are they being disingenuous or simply uncomprehending about that standpoint?

Secondly, unless EC has been telling people that their donations will be Ultra-Top Secret, isn’t ProtectMarriage.com missing the point that these folks have already made their support visible to the public?

No, they’re not missing the point. I’m sure any donor knew they were taking the potential risk of their name being published on some boycott black-list by pro-8 folks. The ProtectMarriage folks could have just gone ahead and done that — but given that there was a chance, just a chance, of getting someone to pony up some money (plus demonstrate some corporate “conversion therap”), it was worth engaging in this extortion-with-sadness routine.

We will contact you shortly to discuss your contribution sincerely hoping to receive your positive response.

“Nice reputation ya got here. Be a shame if somet’in’ were t’happen to it.

The Executive Committee of ProtectMarriage.com and the millions of Californians supporting Proposition 8 thank you for your thoughtful consideration of this request.

“Yeah, you better be thinking about those millions of Californians before we blacklist you.”

Disgusting. And these are the purported upholders of all that is good and holy and right?

If you want to help get yourself on a blacklist (and what good freedom-loving sort wouldn’t?), visit www.noonprop8.com.