Again, we find any threat of violence against people or property on either side of the marriage debate to be appalling and condemn such acts unequivocally. Our condolences and best wishes to the staff of these organizations. May we all strive for a civil debate about marriage without fear of reprisal and intimidation:
The offices of 11 gay rights organizations were briefly evacuated earlier today after receiving a series of bomb threats, including one that was phoned in from California.
Among the groups whose employees were evacuated were the Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force and the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, WTOP reports. The first threats were reported about 11:45 a.m.
All together, D.C. police evacuated two buildings—the Human Rights Campaign's headquarters at 1640 Rhode Island Avenue NW and a building at 729 15th Street NW that houses the other targeted organizations, The Washington Blade reports.
One of the threats was relayed to authorities here by the Los Angeles Police Department, which received a phone call about 8 a.m. Pacific time from someone threatening to blow up the "gay and lesbian headquarters," the Blade reports. On that tip, the LAPD called D.C. police, who as a precaution also cleared out its Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit's office in Dupont Circle.
Traffic outside the Human Rights Campaign's building was briefly blocked as police swept the area. Both buildings were eventually deemed safe and employees were allowed to return to work.
Police in both Washington and Los Angeles are still investigating the bomb threats. -- DCist
14 Comments
The rhetoric from NOM and the anti-gay stance by the republican conservatives creates an environment where this type of action seems justified. The legal attacks happening in certain states' legislatures contribute to a feeling of permission to those who hate that it's okay to hurt gays.
One might arrive at that conclusion, if one's entire p.o.v. were seen through the lens of gay identity politics.
Surprisingly, some view the marriage debate as entirely separate from gay identity politics, and view it as a sex issue, not a sexual identity issue.
"Our condolences and best wishes to the staffs of these organizations, foul, hell-bound miscreant perverts that they are."
NOM-fan, Good News posted the other day that a death penalty for homosexuals would be a great deterrent to keep children in line. I'm amazed by what gets posted on these moderated forums. Even more amazed by the silence of the other NOMers.
HRC (human rights campaign, as opposed to animal rights campaign?) could have called in their own bomb threat. It's easy to get someone to call from a public telephone number, from across the continent. A bomb threat, what does it really prove? The real 'bomb' was HRC's stealing of NOM's private donor tax Schedule. Are we naive enough to believe HRC could not trigger its own bomb threat? They want to look persecuted. If they are, it is not because of same-sex civil friendship which they want to pass as marriage, it is because of something else.
Hate is not a Christian Value. Hate is not a family value.
It's clearly wrong for anyone to make a threat such as this. It did occur to me, however, that these calls could have been made by anyone, including an HRC collaborator. It would certainly distract attention away from HRC's possession of stolen property, as well as elicit a strong response from their supporters.
I hope the police get to the bottom of this and punish whomever is responsible.
Most posts here have proven my point. The vitriol and bigotry is what gives people a false permission to devalue those they are intolerant of in the world. The view against gays is purely a religious one, not present in the world until the advent of Judeo-Christian dominance.
It is ironic that NOM would post a condemnation of violence against gay people, and then in the comments section the moderator allows the comment form #3 (Doug)
Richard: As soon as self professed 'gays' began contracting -AIDS- at a much higher rate than the rest of the population, the issue was seen scientifically, with history only predicting the modern statistics. Sounds like you have a sense of persecution, even when not persecuted. Get real.
Please. They made the calls themselves. They probably want donations or something. Normal folks wouldn't waste their time doing something so childish.
Little man- you are. I have no sense of persecution- I am straight and enjoy the full benefits of marriage. Your own sense of entitlement and self-righteousness does not give you permission to oppress those you disagree with. The outright lies and hate from those like you inspire me to stand up for those who are not treated fairly. You are the one who needs to get real.
Susan, I think Doug is one of yours not ours and he was going for sarcasm there.....
And for Richard: The vitriol and bigotry from the SSA crowd is what gives people a false permission to devalue christians and others who disagree showing the gay activist's intolerance to the world. The opinion that homosexuality was wrong has existed for centuries and never depended on religious opinions.
leehawks- your history is wrong.