A lawyer in California is pushing a ballot measure to legalize killing gay people

[Janelle2002 3,865]

1. A California lawyer proposed a ballot initiative to legalize the execution of gay and lesbian people in the state.
2. The measure isn't expected to end up on the ballot, since it's clearly unconstitutional, but it's drawing attention to California's bizarre ballot initiative process.
3. California's attorney general is likely required by law to clear the initiative. But the state's Supreme Court is likely to step in and stop the measure, particularly if the proposal gets enough signatures to qualify for the ballot.
4. The measure would authorize the killing of gay and lesbian Californians

<img alt="LGBT flag" src="https://cdn3.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/KRkjjITzh_qU6-kSe7cZHKMMhWs=/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3524416/shutterstock_188605916.0.jpg">

Under the measure, the LGBT flag could be seen as illegal advocacy. (Shutterstock)

Orange County attorney Matt McLaughlin paid the $200 filing fee on February 26 to submit the "Sodomite Suppression Act" to voters on November 2016.

The proposal has no chance of becoming law, since it's unconstitutional and would most likely never get approval from California voters, but it's drawn national attention because its provisions are so abhorrent and extreme.

As the San Francisco Chronicle and Sacramento Bee reported, the proposal would require the execution of anyone who touches a person of the same sex for sexual gratification by "bullets to the head or by any other convenient method." It declares that it's "better that offenders should die rather than that all of us should be killed by God's just wrath." Private citizens would be allowed to step in to act as executioners if the state didn't within a year, meaning that the murder of gay and lesbian people would effectively be legalized.

The measure would also make it illegal, with the threat of a $1 million fine, up to 10 years in prison, and permanent expulsion from the state, to advocate for gay rights to an audience that includes minors. And it would require posting the measure's language prominently in public school classrooms.

The initiative specifies that its constitutionality could only be decided by a California Supreme Court that doesn't include LGBT justices and their supporters, but that portion would only be true if the measure passed.

http://www.vox.com/2015/3/22/8270411/california-lgbt-executions

And the U.S. calls other countries barbaric? This is a good example of humans not evolving.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Ah, yes... Another fine representative of the religions of love... Jesus smiles...

I'd be willing to bet a good amount of money he is a closeted self-loathing gay himself. In addition, he is completely misinformed if he thinks the LGBT community has monopoly over sodomy... In either case, his sex life must suck big time...

Edited March 23, 2015 by JohnR!

[ready4ONE 5,400]

How does sponsoring this not qualify as a hate crime? Or conspiracy to commit mass murder, one count for each Gay person in the State of California with a hate crime component?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The American Taliban at work.

[Janelle2002 3,865]

How does sponsoring this not qualify as a hate crime? Or conspiracy to commit mass murder, one count for each Gay person in the State of California with a hate crime component?

It is conspiracy to commit murder? It should qualify as a hate crime if this is carried out. How could this even be proposed is beyond me! It should have been taken down immediately!

[khwaidee1 196]

There is a move to have him disbarred as he does not meet the "moral" component of being a licensed attorney. In reading his proposed bill it would almost be funny if it were not for the fact the guy, and probably a few other knuckleheads, are serious.

[JohnR! 5,495]

I am expecting Ted Cruz and the TB's to hurry to his defense...

There is a move to have him disbarred as he does not meet the "moral" component of being a licensed attorney. In reading his proposed bill it would almost be funny if it were not for the fact the guy, and probably a few other knuckleheads, are serious.

[Dave-n-Oksana 49]

Is he a true believer or is he trying to make a point like suing God?

http://www.ketv.com/State-Sen-Ernie-Chambers-Sues-God/10211380

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

Well, at least if it passes all the homophobes in America will move to California, so we'll only have to hide from a single state?

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Is he a true believer or is he trying to make a point like suing God?

http://www.ketv.com/State-Sen-Ernie-Chambers-Sues-God/10211380

Suing God. Hilarious? Will it rain dollars if he win?

Well, at least if it passes all the homophobes in America will move to California, so we'll only have to hide from a single state?

But California is such a beautiful state..

They can have Texas.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

And the U.S. calls other countries barbaric? This is a good example of humans not evolving.

Janelle, Not understanding this comment at all.. Now If the ballot passes it would be right on point - otherwise it is just a story about a religious nut-bag wanting the government to enforce his personal interpretations of his preferred religious writings.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

On its face, it's void for vagueness in addition to being unconstitutional. And it's not conspiracy -- at most it could be solicitation to commit murder, but it's unclear who is supposed to be killing gay people here. The state? Individual citizens?

[Janelle2002 3,865]

Janelle, Not understanding this comment at all.. Now If the ballot passes it would be right on point - otherwise it is just a story about a religious nut-bag wanting the government to enforce his personal interpretations of his preferred religious writings.

For them to even accept it on a ballot is beyond me.

[GandD 5,966]

Well, at least if it passes all the homophobes in America will move to California, so we'll only have to hide from a single state?

All of the homophobes in CA? It seems like there would be a lot of places with closer mentalities. CA would be one of the last states I would think they would want to go.

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

For them to even accept it on a ballot is beyond me.

Read the first two lines of your original post...

1. A California lawyer proposed a ballot initiative to legalize the execution of gay and lesbian people in the state.
2. The measure isn't expected to end up on the ballot, since it's clearly unconstitutional, but it's drawing attention to California's bizarre ballot initiative process.

There are 10 countries where performing gay acts can lead to a death sentence depending on the circumstances and the judge you get:

Iran

Iraq

Yemen

Qatar

Nigeria

Saudi Arabia

Somalia

Sudan

The United Arab Emirates

Mauritania

Aim your indignation there.