Texas Sends Lawmakers Of ‘Conservative Orientation’ Safety Memo Warning Of Gay Glitter Bombs

The Texas Dept. of Public Safety is warning lawmakers of a “conservative orientation” about the threat of glitter bombs from gay rights activists.

This is not a drill – nor is it a joke.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a memo warning lawmakers of glitter bombs arriving by mail. 

“Glitter Bombing: Weapon of Choice for Gay Rights, Pro Choice Advocates,” the memo, below, is titled. 

It warns that lawmakers who oppose LGBT civil rights and the rights of women to choose are especially vulnerable to this latest method of protest and activism.

“Glitter bombing is a relatively recent phenomenon and has been adopted as a form of protest, particularly (but not exclusively) by gay rights activists and supporters,” the memo warns. 

Reading almost like an advertisement, it points to “Ruin Days (www.ruindays.com), an online business that offers a variety of glitter bomb options, including envelopes and spring-loaded tubes.”

A spring-loaded glitter bomb tube can be purchased anonymously for $22.99, and Ruin Days will ship directly to the intended recipient. Ruin Days posts the following caveat: 

“Your billing information and email will appear nowhere on the package.”

The Texas Tribune emailed the Texas Dept. of Public Safety, but DPS refused to comment, writing only that “DPS does not discuss security-related matters or investigations.”

Noting that glitter bombing was the subject of that radical activist TV series “Glee,” DPS explains the phenomenon’s short history.

The glitter bombing of public officials rose to prominence in 2011, when Newt Gingrich, Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, Karl Rove and Erik Paulson were all similarly glitter bombed. The common denominator among these political figures is a conservative orientation and opposition to gay rights, especially marriage equality. Recipients in 2012 included Rick Santorum (on four separate occasions), Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. Mitt Romney’s bomber, a University of Colorado student, faced up to six months in jail and a fine of $1000.

And it warns that glitter bombing “may pose a health hazard to the recipient in the form of glitter particles entering the eyes, nose, lungs or other soft tissue, which may result in irritation or infection,” and notes that “some legal officials argue glitter bombing is technically an assault and battery.”

http://www.scribd.com/doc/258173904/Glitter-Bombs

Of course, the glitter bombing field is highly competitive. In addition to the aforementioned Ruin Days, there is also ShipYourEnemiesGlitter.com and SendGlitterBombs.com.

 

Image via Twitter
Hat tip: Dallas Observer