National Organization For Marriage president Brian Brown today finally condemned the homophobic violence that has become a regular event over the past few months in France, exactly five hours after the French government voted to make same-sex marriage legal.
READ: France Now Offers Same-Sex Marriage — Bill Passes By Wide Margin — Final Vote 331-225
The violence, which it cannot be said was unhelped — at the very least indirectly — by Brown and his organization’s interjection into the political process the National Organization For Marriage had no right to enter, has been so pervasive it is immeasurable. In fact, a Google News search for “gay marriage violence france” turns up over 22,000 articles.
More than 55 percent of French citizens support same-sex marriage.
“In recent weeks, violent attacks against gay couples have spiked and some legislators have received threats — including [French Assembly President] Bartelone, who got a gunpowder-filled envelope on Monday,” the AP reported at Talking Points Memo:
One of the biggest protests against same-sex marriage drew together hundreds of thousands of people bused in from the French provinces — conservative activists, schoolchildren with their parents, retirees, priests and others. That demonstration ended in blasts of tear gas, as right-wing rabble-rousers, some in masks and hoods, led the charge against police, damaging cars along the Champs-Elysees avenue and making a break for the presidential palace.
Justice Minister Christiane Taubira told lawmakers that the first weddings could be as soon as June.
Just before 11:30 AM EDT the French Parliament passed same-sex marriage for the last time. It should become law effective soon.
Just after 4:30 PM EDT, Brian Brown, president of NOM, the National Organization For Marriage, finally issued a statement — his first admitting the issue — and condemned the homophobic anti-gay violence and attacks in the country he and his anti-gay group infested.
Bronw, five hours after marriage passed to point of no return, issued a press release stating:
We urge all French citizens to contact lawmakers to express their strong opposition to this policy. We also call on all citizens to conduct themselves honorably and peacefully. Even though the same-sex marriage policy being foisted on an unwilling public is profoundly unwise and anti-family, no citizen should ever express their disapproval through violent means. We condemn in the strongest possible terms violence by anyone on either side of this debate.
Because it was the gay people beating up the straight people, right?
Joe Jervis, who’s been covering the violence in France quite well, last week noted:
As violent anti-gay French protesters commit brutal bashings, battle riot police using toddlers as human shields, and smash the windows of gay bars, Brian Brown writes on NOM’s blog:
In France spontaneous peaceful demonstrations by young people protesting their government’s determination to ignore the voice of the people is causing headaches across the country. For the government, this is becoming a major headache. These young people are making sure government officials’ support for gay marriage is not forgotten. Violence did break out but not from the pro-marriage protestors. Change is coming, something new is stirring. The truth will win out.
[Emphasis added]
Brown’s timing couldn’t be any more obvious. Condemn the violence when it no longer serves your cause any real purpose, so you can say you condemned it.
Brown and NOM’s interjection into the French political process should be a warning for all other countries that NOM’s new “International” Organization For Marriage is attempting to scam.
Beware, countries looking to “protect marriage.” Hire Brian Brown and his “International” Organization For Marriage, and I imagine that, just like France, you’ll get a lot more than you paid for: violence, hate, riots in the streets, and a damaged reputation.
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Image by Scott Wooledge/Memeographs