Last Friday, I was personally attacked, again, by Brian Brown, Executive Director of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), in an e-mail to his purported more than 500,000 supporters. Brian is very unhappy that his organization is now being investigated by Maine, the second state to conduct such an investigation, and he lashed out at me.
(Click here for a link to Brian Brown's nasty e-mail.)
I feel it necessary to respond to Brian's tirade.
NOM has been viciously attacking me for more than 15 months, with all the power of a $12 million organization, simply because I seek disclosure.
NOM heads, Maggie Gallagher and Brian Brown, do not like the truth. They both claim to be protecting marriage and children. They are both doing just the opposite.
Their creator, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints (Mormon Church), has led the national battle against LGBT civil rights in this country for over 20 years. The Mormon Church has repeatedly covered-up the truth about its activities, causing harm to millions of gays and lesbians.
Maine joined California last week in deciding to investigate NOM. The State of Maine Commission on Governmental Ethics and Election Practices stood up to NOM's threats of legal action at a very emotional meeting in Augusta last Thursday. By a 3 to 2 vote, the Commission agreed with the complaint that I filed, concluding that there are too many inconsistencies and unanswered questions in the filings submitted by the National Organization for Marriage.
By giving $250,000, NOM is by far the biggest contributor to Question 1 on the November 3rd ballot in Maine. NOM has not disclosed any of the true donor names, nor filed as a PAC. Question 1 would take away the recently granted right for same-sex couples to marry in Maine. If it passes, NOM will succeed in banning same-sex marriage in the 31st state.
NOM's attorney, Barry Bostrom, claimed at the hearing that the Maine election law could be unconstitutional. He threatened to sue the state just as his firm has done in California. Bostrom's firm filed a suit in federal court against every major California election official earlier this year after the California Fair Political Practices Commission decided to investigate NOM's founder, the Mormon Church.
NOM hid its federal tax returns for two years until just before Thursday's hearing in Maine. NOM's IRS Form 990 filings for 2007 and 2008 magically appeared on its web site during the wee hours of Thursday morning. I got tipped off right before the hearing, and I was able to point out the truth to the Ethics Commission. Commission members questioned Brian Brown about that. He said that he wasn't sure when they were posted. And still no sign of the NOM 501(c)3 Educational Fund's (Tax ID Number 26-0240498) 2008 return. So,
Maggie and Brian - SIGN THE OATH
Mr. Brian Brown and Ms. Maggie Gallagher, I am asking both of you to sign the oath below, in the hope that from here on, you will change course and tell the American public the truth about the source of your money and all that you are doing. It's a simple oath, and one that you might recognize.
I do solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
Both of you are parents. Show your children that they can be proud of you, and that you will change your ways and conduct all your activities with truth, openness and integrity.
We at Californians Against Hate live by this golden rule, and we hope that you and your backers will agree from this day forward to fully comply with the oath posted below.
I await your reply.
OATH FOR
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE
I do solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me God.
_________________________
Maggie Gallagher
________________________
Brian S. Brown