One of the five defendants in the Proposition 8 trial that begins in California on Monday wants out, according to the New York Times.
Hak-Shing William Tam was one of five people who stepped up to defend Prop 8 when the governor and attorney general decided not to. Now he said publicity from the trial would endanger him and his family and that he has been harassed and his property vandalized.
Here’s why he devoted a year of his life to take rights away from gays and lesbians: “One by one, other states would fall into Satan’s hands. Every child, when growing up, would fantasize marrying someone of the same sex. More children would become homosexuals.”
So now we understand more about the thinking of these protectors of “straight marriage.”
Obviously this guy is talking from personal experience. He must be so haunted by his own gay fantasies that just the idea that gay couples are now legally recognized would be enough to push him out of the closet. He thinks that just because he was haunted by these fantasies, everyone else is too.
When I was growing up, “straight marriage” was all there was so I was haunted by fantasies of having sex with women. Oh, wait. I lived in a household with heterosexual parents, in a neighborhood with heterosexual neighbors, and went to a school with heterosexual teachers. And yet those fantasies that I must have had about heterosexuality — never happened.
So if this is the best this guy’s got, the case is a slam dunk. And while no, it’s not all right to threaten this guy, his bigotry and hatred for gays and lesbians blinded him. And no, he should not be released from the case. If the drivel that he’s been spouting is what brought the case to court, he should be forced to defend it. He has personally caused quite a bit of damage to gay and lesbian families in California and cost the gay and lesbian community quite a bit of money. He should be held accountable — or Prop 8 should be thrown out on its ass along with him.
Tam’s side was successful last week in keeping live video out of the courtroom. No picture of Tam could be found to publish.
Ooh.
The big, bad, mos are gonna get’ya!
Somebody should tell the little wuss to man up.
How can any court take seriously a charge that “satan” will rule if something is allowed to happen?
While I’m sure that’s not part of the court brief, I am sure writings like that will be introduced as evidence into court. No court, including Scalia and the Supremes, could possibly rule in favor of Satan’s gonna getcha.
Actually Tam’s email is quoted in the challengers brief and included in it’s entirety as an exhibit in the pre-trial brief. They also quoted the prop 8 attorney when he told the judge in court that he had no idea how letting gay people marry would destroy traditional marriage as they claim.
Prop 8 proponents lies, rhetoric, and animosity is unraveling day by day. I can’t wait to watch it spiral downhill on you-tube next week.
Well, if that’s in the brief and some voodoo Satan is the best they’ve got, I’m looking forward to this trial as well. Too bad it won’t be broadcast live. Would make for some very entertaining TV.
No picture of Tam could be found to publish.
Wait until Monday.. There will be plenty of pictures of everyone in the trial. Nothing against photos outside the court house…
Even if the Supreme Court says, no cameras, that won’t stop them from being quoted, photographed outside. etc.
Cowards..
This is why I think it is so important for gay people to rise up and start a little hateful harassment of people like this.
For too long, mean straight people have enjoyed our patient spirit.
I think it’s time to get on the phone, scream at the business owners who support homophobia and hate. Let them know how angry you are.
Get their home phone numbers, call them and tell them YOUR opinion. Don’t harass them, simply call them and let them know how you feel, within the bounds of the law. You have your right to freedom of speech.
And refuse to spend your money on homophobes. Find out their businesses, publicize their views, and let the other gay people and gay supporters boycott their businesses.
RISE UP! It’s time for TRUE EQUAL RIGHTS FOR ALL.
Wait a minute. . .
Tam petitioned the court back in May of 2009 to be included as a defendant – he was not forced by the court. And secondly, the so-called harassment of Tam took place in 2008 during the Prop 8 campaign. He has not been “harassed” since the beginning of this federal lawsuit.
Tam’s request to be withdrawn has been orchestrated by the Pro-Prop 8 people to portray themselves as innocent victims. Their goal is to have the Supreme Court block the use of video cameras in the courtroom – they don’t want the world to see their fear-based and irrational arguments ripped to shreds in open court where speculation and fear mongering will not be allowed.
Cowards. .
Wow! All of this fuss so that the mentally perverted can stick their dicks up another man’s butt hole and call it marriage.
ChasR–How’d it feel when you did that? (On a serious note, there’s more to marriage than sex. Since that’s apparently all you’ve done, maybe you could do some research and report your findings?)
As an out lesbian for the past 25 years I always find it amusing when someone refers to all gays as men looking to screw other men. Obviously ChasR has not read nor is he aware of all the findings that the most homophobic individuals out there are harboring same sex thoughts in their own mind. Does make me chuckle…