EndTheLies.Org Launched to Combat Anti-LGBT Lies Spread by Right-Wing
March 5, 2009
On the day the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the NCLR/ACLU lawsuits to overturn Prop 8, HRC will launch EndTheLies.org, a new website to call out the lies spread by right wingers to stop the LGBT movement’s push for equality. As we gear up to fight for passage of our legislative agenda in Congress, EndTheLies.org will feature an "interactive wall" of anti-LGBT crusaders (i.e. the AFA, Sally Kern, and George W. Bush) and will provide ways for visitors to take action against their efforts. Users will also be able to nominate their own candidates for the wall. Here’s two examples of how EndTheLies.org will combat some of the favorite fibs by the right wing:
Lie: If hate crimes laws are passed, pastors will be prosecuted for preaching what the Bible says about homosexuality. Truth: Pastors will not be held liable for hate crimes based on preaching anti-gay sermons. The First Amendment protects a preacher from being charged as an accessory to a hate crime simply because of their speech. The Matthew Shepard Act only punishes violent crimes, not a person’s speech, beliefs or thoughts. In fact, the legislation contains language specifically protecting free speech. Lie: Legislation that will provide employment protection based on sexual orientation or gender identity will force churches to hire homosexuals. Truth: Federal employment non-discrimination legislation is sensitive to religious organizations and their fundamental beliefs and tenets, and includes a broad exemption for these groups, including churches, religious schools and other faith entities. For too long, anti-LGBT right wingers have won battles against our community by telling lies about our lives and families – and then excite fear and hysteria all the way to victory. It’s past time for us to aggressively go head-to-head with their tactics – and to call them out for their hypocrisy. Joe Solmonese issued this statement today:
Again and again, opponents of equality have claimed one shallow victory after another by telling lies about who the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. Lies like these must be called out for what they are, not just as the legal challenge to Proposition 8 begins, but every time the right-wing seeks to stop our progress or stall our march to equality. Tools like EndtheLies.org will be critical to our community’s upcoming legislative battles, including passage of the Matthew Shepard Act in 111th Congress.
Check it out: 
