Prop 8 Maps
Yesterday Andrew Sullivan posted a link to a Google map that plots where people who donated to the Yes on 8 campaign listed as their address. It takes public information — donor information for people who give more than $100 is listed on the Secretary of State’s website — and plots it on a map.
I’m a little conflicted about this. On the one hand, as Andrew points out, information wants to be free. It’s eye-opening to see who, exactly, gave money to forcibly divorce their neighbors and their proximity to us. I found someone on my street — someone whom I’ve met and spoken with — who gave money to Yes on 8. That person was very nice to my partner, my son and me, but then gave money to take away my rights. That’s illuminating. It points out how much work is left to be done.
The other part of my conflict: I would absolutely hate for this information to be used to harass anyone. That’s not called for and would be counterproductive. This information was readily available to anyone who wanted to spend some time searching but this makes it so much easier. The gay community cannot use it to harass.
you put it so well…very illuminating. I’m not sure how I’d feel to have the example you gave happen to me. Very nice as a neighbor to you and you’re family, then you find out they do not support you.
I’m not sure how I feel personally about my neighbor either, Hostess. But as a community, it points out how much work we have to do. Another neighbor — this one two doors down from us — had a Yes on 8 sign in their yard (they also took the sign in every night). They are Mormons. Interestingly, they are not the neighbors who gave money directly to the Yes on 8 campaign. Perhaps they gave to their church, who then used the money. I don’t know.