Support for LAist comes from
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Stay Connected
Audience-funded nonprofit news
Listen

Share This

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Yes on Prop 8 Releases TV Ad

With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today. 

Last week No on Prop 8 launched the first TV ad in the November ballot fight and everyone knew the Yes on Prop 8 side would fight back. That day is today when they launched an ad using footage of gay rights San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom in the ad (and also includes Pepperdine University School of Law professor Richard Peterson).

Proposition 8, which would eliminate same sex marriage in California if passed, is one of the most heated battles within the state with large amounts of money raised on each side. Protect Marriage, the proponents of the prop (they want same sex marriage eliminated), are asking for donations while saying "wealthy gay activists and Hollywood liberals like Brad Pitt have spent $5 million on an 8 week media buy airing an issue advertisement designed to create public support for gay marriage."

No on Prop 8 campaign manager Dale Kelly Bankhead wrote in an e-mail today that truths presented in the proponents TV ad are "a blatant lie":


Their ad claims that the California Supreme Court "mandated" the right to marry for same-sex couples and, as a result, school children will be taught about same-sex marriage unless Prop 8 passes. Of course it's a blatant lie.

What the Court did was uphold the Constitution's promise of equality.

And the proponents know that their claim that the law requires that children be taught about same-sex marriage in school is also a lie, just like the other false claims in their misleading ad.

But honesty clearly is not a value that the proponents of Prop 8 believe in.

Both sides also launched more ads on their respective YouTube channels last week. Blogger Justin Mclachlan went through all of statements in the ads and fact checked them. He said both are "mostly accurate,"
Support for LAist comes from
but both did not get green lights from him.

At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.

But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.

We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.

Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist