![\"gordon_smith_36.jpg\"](\"http:\/\/www.amptoons.com\/blog\/images\/gordon_smith_36.jpg\")
So we received the new “Yes on 36” flier today. The first thing I noticed was a big picture of Senator Gordon Smith, right above the “Yes on 36” return address. The photo was accompanied by a quote from Senator Smith, saying that marriage “is about the tantual rearing and nurturing of children, preparing them for citizenship under the most ideal circumstances possible.”<\/p>\n
Turning the image over, there’s a picture of a sad-looking little girl with the caption “The classroom will never <\/i>be the same.” Then, opening up the flier, I see this claim, in huge letters:<\/p>\n
![\"If](\"http:\/\/www.amptoons.com\/blog\/images\/if36fails.jpg\")
<\/center><\/p>\nThe flier doesn’t directly say that Senator Smith endorses the claim that “if Measure 36 fails, gay and lesbian sex will be taught in Oregon schools,” but that’s sure the impression it gives.<\/p>\n
I called Senator Smith’s office in Portland – (503)326-3386. I read the staff person who answered that caption, and politely asked if Senator Smith believes that “if Measure 36 fails, gay and lesbian sex will be taught in Oregon schools.” The person promised to have someone call me back. I then called the Senator’s Washington office – (202)224-3753 – and asked them the same question. The staffer I spoke to asked me to email Senator Smith <\/a>and promised that someone would get back to me.<\/p>\n Senator Smith is actually one of the most decent GOP members of Congress. He’s not usually a gay-basher, he values his good relationships with gay Oregonians, and I doubt he’d be willing to endorse the claim that measure 36 is about if gay sex will be taught in schools. But he might not address this claim, unless people hold his feet to the fire a bit. Please call Senator Smith, or FAX him – (202)228-3997 or (503)326-2900 are his FAX numbers – and politely ask if Senator Smith agrees that “If measure 36 fails, gay and lesbian sex will be taught in Oregon schools.”<\/p>\n Please call whether or not you live in Oregon. Please, if you own a blog, consider reproducing or linking to this post right away. I’d like to generate hundreds of calls to Senator Smith, if that’s possible. Opening up the flier, I see a huge caption saying “If Measure 36 fails gay and lesbian sex will be taught in Oregon schools.”<\/p>\n I would like to know if Senator Smith believes or endorses the statement that “If Measure 36 fails gay and lesbian sex will be taught in Oregon schools.”<\/p>\n My impression is that Gordon Smith values his relatively good relationship with lesbian and gay Oregonians, and is one of the most genuinely non-bigoted members of the GOP. And I realize that same-sex marriage is an issue that people can in good faith disagree on.<\/p>\n However, the idea that lesbians and gays are seeking to teach gay sex in schools is a bigoted and dangerous myth, which spreads hatred of lesbians and gays and encourages gaybashing. I would be very disappointed if Gordon Smith allowed his name and image to be used to endorse such a bigoted myth. Please let me know Mr. Smith’s position on this specific question – “If Measure 36 fails gay and lesbian sex will be taught in Oregon schools” – as soon as possible.<\/p>\n Thank you very much.<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" So we received the new “Yes on 36” flier today. The first thing I noticed was a big picture of Senator Gordon Smith, right above the “Yes on 36” return address. The photo was accompanied by a quote from Senator … Continue reading
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\nHere’s the text of the email I sent Senator Smith’s office.<\/p>\nI just received a flier in the mail from “yes on 36.” Directly over the “yes on 36” return address, there’s a smiling color photograph of Senator Smith along with a quote from Senator Smith endorsing traditional marriage.<\/p>\n