Cameraphobia, Homophobia & Prop 8

No, there’s no such word as “cameraphobia”, I made that one up, but as you know, the trial to determine the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8 is well underway, and even though it was originally set to be broadcast with a delay over YouTube, the Supreme Court of conservatism stepped in and blocked video footage in an attempt to protect those who have fought so hard to save the sanctity of marriage as a religious institution, just as the backers of Prop 8 asked them to do.  Why?  Because they feared for their lives.

But thanks to the internet, the information has been flowing rather freely, and without a great deal of delay, which adds to the question…what were they trying to hide?

Well, perhaps the testimony highlighted in the LA Times Blog is at least part of what the proponents of the discriminatory law didn’t want the general public to know…

An official proponent of Proposition 8 testified today that he was involved in disseminating claims that same-sex marriage could cause children to become gay and spark legalization of sex with children, incest and polygamy.

William Tam, one of five official proponents for the 2008 ballot initiative, also testified about his personal views toward same-sex marriage.

“It is very important that our children won’t grow up to fantasize or think about, ‘Should I marry Jane or John?’ ” testified Tam, a chemical engineer and evangelical Christian.

He also was asked about a statement that the gay agenda included legalizing sex with children.

“And that is what you told people to try to convince them to vote yes on Proposition 8, correct?” asked David Boies, a lawyer for the challengers.

“Yes,”Tam replied.

Tam said he participated in weekly campaign conference calls for grass-roots organizers run by the official campaign and sought advice from the campaign. He said he also played a major role in the petition campaign to get the measure qualified for the ballot.

Tam testified that he was secretary of an anti-gay marriage website that carried statements saying homosexuals were 12 times more likely than heterosexuals to molest children.

Tam said he agreed with the statement “based on different literature I have read. ” He was unable to recall where he read it.

He also testified that a flier for Proposition 8 predicted dire results if gays were given civil rights.

“If sexual orientation is characterized as a civil right, so would pedophilia, polygamy and incest,” the flier read.

“That is what you were telling people to convince them to vote for Proposition 8, correct?” Boies asked.

“Yes,” Tam replied.

Boies noted that another statement said the gay agenda includes legalizing sex with children.

“And that is what you told people to try to convince them to vote yes on Proposition 8, correct? ” Boies asked.

“Yes,” Tam replied.

So, perhaps it’s not the protection of witnesses those tax-exempt organizations who have dumped millions upon millions of dollars into maintaining discrimination against tax-paying LGBT Americans were seeking. Maybe they simply were trying to protect the world from knowing their campaign is based on nothing more than lies, fear and hate.

If you care to read more about William Tam, there’s also a GREAT post about him, which points out some very interesting items at: Paliban Daily!