State Rep. John Bel Edwards speaking in favor of the bill. (Advocate staff photo by Arthur D Lauck)
From the Advocate in Baton Rouge, Louisiana:
Legislation designed to define what constitutes bullying among school students died in the Louisiana House on Thursday amid complaints that it would promote gay lifestyles.
The Louisiana Family Forum, which calls itself a voice for traditional families by pushing biblical principles, characterized House Bill 112 as a homosexual agenda.
The organization issued notes to lawmakers alleging that the legislation would introduce sexual orientation into the classroom.
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All right. I'm all done banging my head on the keyboard.
When I read about the Louisiana Family Forum and its influence on so very many of the legislators in Louisiana, smoke comes out of my ears.
HB112 fell 10 votes short of passage, with 43 lawmakers voting for it and 54 voting against it.
The legislation’s sponsor, state Rep. Austin Badon, said the Louisiana Family Forum intimidated lawmakers.
“The hate spilled out — the ignorance of the fact that there are gays and lesbians all over the world,” Badon, D-New Orleans, said after the bill failed to pass.
Bravo to Rep. Badon and to all 43 legislators who stood against the bullying tactics of the Louisiana Family Forum.
State Rep. Patricia Smith struggled to keep her voice at a normal volume when she rose from her House desk to respond to Seabaugh’s amendment.
Smith, D-Baton Rouge and a former School Board member, accused Seabaugh of diminishing the hateful words that are used to bully children.
“I am very upset by what you just said because I do not like Family Forum. I will state it here right now on the floor. I do not like Family Forum … because their perception of anything that’s different from what they perceive is that they feel it’s always going to be taught to children,” Smith said.
Amen, and amen, and amen!
I see hope in this outcome, because getting 43 votes in favor of the bill in the Louisiana House is more than I would have expected. Maybe next time.
From the website of Louisiana Family Forum:
Our Mission is to persuasively present biblical principles in the centers of influence on issues affecting the family through research, communication and networking.
Unbelievable.
ReplyDeleteYes, like you, I´m greatly heartened by those who choose to look at the world around them/us as it really is-- not like some of the cowards, bigots and thieves who prefer to coverthemselves in words meant to deceive themselves and others...a world of some kind of freightened and pasturized hateful pretend...all around dangerous for the abusers and the abused...not only unkind words but intentional dishonest acts that directly harm others.
ReplyDeleteTim, the vote may be unbelievable to those outside Louisiana, but I would have been shocked beyond measure if the bill had passed.
ReplyDeleteLeonardo, I am encouraged by the vote. I guess you have to live here to really appreciate that 43 reps voted for the bill.
The real and continuing problem is that bigots have gut commitment to what they believe, while liberals are generally tolerant (not always, of course, and as one wise person once said, "You can tolerate anything but intolerance."
ReplyDeleteBut as long as bigots have that psychic energy on their side, they will continue to out-spend and out-promote. Thank God some liberals and progressives have begun to understand that these tactics have to be met with just as much energy. Right will not triumph when Might holds the cards!
What is so sad about this is that they see bullying as okay...
ReplyDeleteIt was a close vote. It would only take half a dozen to change their minds and it would pass. That's not very many considering they were under pretty heavy pressure. The signs are that you are right to be cautiously optomistic about the bill's future, Mimi.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, bring back the stocks for the Louisana Family Forum, and see how they like being on the receiving end.
Tobias, the supporters of the bill seem to have made a good try, but they were dismissed as "...straight out of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender model legislation playbook.”
ReplyDeleteI can see how higher energy on the part of those in favor of the bill may have been counter-productive and garnered even fewer votes in the legislature. They would have been "scary".
Ciss, probably a few in the legislature see bullying as OK and take the "It'll toughen them up" attitude, but most don't really approve of bullying but are afraid of consequences from the efforts of groups like LFF.
bring back the stocks for the Louisana Family Forum
Cathy, if only.
Thank God some liberals and progressives have begun to understand that these tactics have to be met with just as much energy. Right will not triumph when Might holds the cards!
ReplyDeleteTobias, I would hope that many of us who identify as theological conservatives would be shocked by the idea that the Louisiana Family Forum would shoot down a bill that tries to protect gay teens from bullying. I have absolutely no hesitation, as a theological conservative, about saying that I have absolutely no desire to be associated with that sort of nonsense.
Tim, I did not mean to imply that only liberals or progressives support an anti-bullying law. I was referring more to the liberal tendency towards a somewhat attenuated or disorganized response in addressing such matters, and that bigots tend to have a high degree of commitment and energy to protecting their views.
ReplyDeleteI certainly welcome the support of conservative allies in combating bigotry. Not all conservatives are bigots (and to be clear, not all bigots are conservatives!)
And, Mimi, you may be right that an even more vigorous campaign might have backfired. Still, isn't it sad that anyone could oppose a law against abuse?
Still, isn't it sad that anyone could oppose a law against abuse?
ReplyDeleteYes, it is. We live with much that is sad. Sometimes it's quite depressing.
We should always stand up to bullies, especially to the Louisiana Family Forum.
ReplyDeleteCounterlight, of course. To some of us that goes without saying, but, unfortunately, not to everyone.
ReplyDeleteThe way the LFF use "Family", I'm reminded of the various animals which devour their young (usually males insecure re other males: familiar?). Beasts!
ReplyDeleteJCF, theirs is surely a pinched and unrealistic view of family.
ReplyDeleteNo one sees the obvious? That the Family Forum used bullying to get their way?
ReplyDeleteBravo to Rep. Badon and to all 43 legislators who stood against the bullying tactics of the Louisiana Family Forum.
ReplyDeleteSo I said, Fred. :-)
Encouraging to see the strong, continuing relationship between the Louisiana Family Forum and that strong upholder of traditional family values, David Vitter.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you, Mimi, for continuing la lucha in Louisiana.
ReplyDeleteName and shame the 54. Their in-boxes should be full to overflowing.
ReplyDelete"Sir", their names are listed in the newspaper:
ReplyDeleteVOTING AGAINST HB (54): Reps. Barras, Burford, H. Burns, T. Burns, Carmody, Champagne, Chandler, Chaney, Cromer, Danahay, Doerge, Dove, Ellington, Fannin, Foil, Gey-mann, Greene, Guinn, Harrison, Hazel, Henry, Hill, Hoffmann, Howard, Hutter, Huval, Katz, Kleckley, LaBruzzo, Lambert, Landry, Ligi, Little, Lopinto, Lorusso, McVea, Mon-toucet, Morris, Nowlin, Pearon, Ponti, Pope, Richard, Richardson, Seabaugh, Simon, Smiley, G. Smith, J. Smith, Talbot, Templet, White, Willmott, Wooton