!?!?!?!?! OH anti-gay laws protect guys who beat live-in girlfriends

[bobbieinok]

(found this linked at 'dark christianity', a dominionist watch site)

http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/004541.html

October 16, 2006
Meanwhile, In Ohio...
From today's Dayton Daily News:

Domestic-violence law being challenged (registration required):

....

But it also means that when a straight male jackass beats the crap out of his live-in girlfriend, you know, maybe because she just wouldn't listen, he can argue to the Ohio Supreme Court, as one Michael Carswell is doing after he was indicted on felony domestic violence, that he ought not be charged with the crime in question. Because the law covers "people living as a spouse" -- and as we all know, no one in Ohio can live as a spouse except a spouse.

So go ahead, Ohio jackasses! Beat the crap out of your girlfriends! The worst you can be charged with is misdemeanor assault! You can probably talk your sentencing down to a fine and 15 hours of picking trash off the highway. Plus, it's more difficult for your girlfriend to get a restraining order against you, which makes it easier for you to keep her in line. And remember, guys, nothing sticks it to the fags wishing for the rights and protections marriage provides than a straight man kicking in the ribs of his live-in lady. Yes, that'll show 'em. That'll show them all.

....

Meanwhile, the Citizens for Community Values, one of the conservative groups that helped pass the anti-gay amendment in Ohio, and "officially Associated with Focus on the Family and Family Research Council as a Family Policy Council in Ohio," has filed an amicus brief supporting the guy who is charged with beating the crap out of his girlfriend. Naturally, the Citizens for Community Values isn't arguing for unmarried men methodically abusing their girlfriends, per se. It's just that the sanctity of marriage is so important to protect that if it means some shameless hussy living outside the sanctifying grace of matrimony has to forgo the full protection of the law when her guy pushes her down the stairs, well. Some sacrifices have to be made. Unless, of course, she was pregnant at the time. In which case I'm sure all these fine folks would be happy to charge the guy with endangering a fetus. One has to prioritize one's community values.

What's really awesome about this is that if the Ohio Supreme Court agrees that the domestic-violence law is unconstitutional, girlfriend thumpers in other states that have similar anti-gay marriage amendments in their constitutions can start to use this strategy in their states as well! It'll be like a renaissance for unmarried abusers. The glory days, as it were, for gut-punching uppity chicks. And they'll owe it all to conservative homophobia. Sure, it's a little weird to get from gay panic to a free ticket for girlfriend abuse. But they'll take it.

Thanks, social conservatives! You guys rock.

[goddess40]

1. that's ok women that live in sin should be beaten

isn't that the christian way?

[MountainLaurel]

7. Pretty much. n/t

[greeneyedboy]

2. the law of unintended consequences slaps the GOP yet again.

[Vidar]

6. Welcome to DU. Send them to Jesus Camp.

[sui generis]

3. this is especially good news because

as just announced this morning, married couples are now a minority. It's a durn good thing they didn't let us queer folk get married, there would be even fewer marriages.

Personally I think they should start a draft for marriage, just like for the selective service. In times of urgent babymaking requirements, they'll call all these single opposite gender folks up and get them hitched and a-fuckin'.

On second thought, maybe social conservatives just enjoy beating their trailer mates.

[Alacrat]

4. It will be interesting to see how this plays out

this piece of shit must have a good lawyer, and the whole thing may end up being a good thing, it sticks their laws in their face, and will reqire them to make a decision. Do they allow people to beat their unmarried partners, to disallow G&L marriage, or do they recognize and protect unmarried partners, and open the door for recognizing G&L marriage? Catch 22..The Focus on family blah blah blah group, should be publicly outed for defending this guy, any real man, with real family values, would not stand for letting bubba get away with beating his daughter, and sure as hell wouldn't support a group that defends it. Any group that would allow and defend such, knows nothing about family values, and shouldn't be allowed to influence public policy on what does or does not constitute a family.

[nebenaube]

5. The marriage referendum in WI would have the same effect!... n/t