DC Residents Alarmed by Robo-Calls: Anti-gay marriage group, NOM, targets District voters at home
”The National Organization for Marriage is sponsoring robo-calling of DC residents asking if they think marriage should be between only one man and one woman. Since marriage equality is now a fact in the city the reasons for this survey might not be apparent.”
Taken from the GLAA Forum of Washington, DC at 4:31pm today, regarding a recorded telephone “survey” from the National Organization for Marriage, a group that opposes marriage for gay men and lesbians. (GLAA Forum)
NOM is a socially conservative political organization headed by Brian Brown and Maggie Gallagher. They have been a fundamental part of efforts to repeal marriage in California and Maine. The group has also helped to block votes for marriage in other areas of the the United States, and according to its website is working against recognition of legal same-sex marriage in Maryland and New Hampshire. The calls were received by District residents throughout the day today and into the evening. The return phone number being used is (208) 991-1227, and a quick internet search of that number turns up complaints about automated telephone calls for other “right-wing” causes like the “Tea Party” movement.
Some residents have questioned the legality of the calls, and suggested contacting the FTC, or using the “Do Not Call Registry” complaint form to report NOM’s actions to government regulators.
”I just got called by the National Organization for Marriage
”It consisted of two questions.
”First “Are you a registered voter” Answer — Yes
”Second — Do you believe that marriage between only one man and one woman should be legal? My answer — No
”Now this is obviously a trick question. Take out the word ‘only’ and the answer is obviously ‘yes’. But stick in the word ‘only” and for a marriage equality supporter such as myself, the only answer that you can give is “no.” But, of course, can you expect a bunch of homophobes to ask an hones question, such as ‘Do you believe that marriage should be legal between gay and lesbian couples?”
”…In any case, according to our local neighborhood listserve they are apparently working through our local telephone exchange and probably through all of 202 with this survey. If you live in DC and get this survey be sure to answer ‘NO.’…”
Taken from a blog post by Dave in DC for the Daily Kos website. His post is dated today, Saturday, March 13, at 12:42pm. He says he called the “spoofed” number back and it just “rang and rang.” (DailyKos)
Metro Weekly has reported recently that the infamous group mentioned on the calls, the National Organization for Marriage, previously used robo-calls in Massachusetts to help usher in Republican Scott Brown this past January. And this week, the magazine reported that NOM has already contributed to the campaign of one religious candidate to try to unseat openly gay DC City Councilman David Catania. The phone calls being received in Washington identify the voice on the message as being from Brian Brown, the Executive Director of the National Organization for Marriage.
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