In #Election2024 I voted to end slavery in #California

#Proposition6

#Involuntary #servitude still exists in California. -- A ballot measure in November could change that

If voted into law, #Proposition6 would ✅ abolish forced labor as a criminal punishment in the state’s prisons

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/04/california-prop-6-prison-slavery-election?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

#PublicFigures and #Allies:

In both the 1970s and today, public figures and allies have played #crucial #roles in #opposing these #discriminatory #measures. #HarveyMilk and other #leaders were #instrumental in #defeating #Proposition6, while today, various #politicians, #celebrities, and #activists continue to #standup against the #RepublicanParty's #antiLGBTQ+ #legislation and #rhetoric, #advocating for #equality and #acceptance.

— (9/10)

Similarities with the #MoralPanic of Today

Today, the #LGBTQ+ #community is facing a resurgence of #hate and #bigotry similar to the one during #TheBriggsInitiative #era. Several #factors highlight these similarities:

#Epidemic of #Hateful #Legislation #Targeting #LGBTQ+ Individuals: Just as #Proposition6 aimed to #ban #LGBTQ+ #individuals from #publicschool #jobs, modern #legislation in #RedStates seeks to #restrict #LGBTQ+ #rights, particularly targeting #transgender individuals.

— (5/10)

#HarveyMilk strongly advocated for this #strategy, famously urging people to #comeout to everyone they knew. He believed that #personalconnections would reduce support #for #discriminatory #measures like #Proposition6.

Ultimately, the #visibility and #personalstories of #LGBTQ+ people played a #crucial role in the campaign. #Proposition6 was #defeated at the #polls, marking a significant #victory for the #LGBTQ+ #rights #movement and setting a #precedent for future #activism.

— (4/10)

The #initiative faced strong opposition from various #civilrights groups, #educators, and #LGBTQ+ #advocates, including #HarveyMilk, the first #openlygay #elected #official in #California. Milk and others argued that the #Proposition was #discriminatory and based on unfounded #fears.

As the #campaign against #Proposition6 intensified, #activists realized that #traditional #campaigning might not be sufficient.

— (2/10)

#Proposition6, also known as #TheBriggsInitiative, was introduced in 1978 by #conservative #California #statesenator #JohnBriggs. This #initiative aimed to #ban #gays and #lesbians, and possibly their #supporters, from #working in California's #publicschools.

The measure was rooted in the #fear and #prejudice that #gay #teachers would negatively #influence #children and #promote the "#homosexuallifestyle."

— (1/10)

Thank you, Mr. Elverson, for dropping your planned curriculum to teach us about the danger brewing right under our noses:

The moment that kept California from banning gay teachers
https://www.insider.com/briggs-initiative-california-ban-gay-teachers-proposition-6-2022-12

#lgbtqhistory #lgbtq #california #briggs #BriggsInitiative #proposition6 #prop6 #teachers #teaching #homophobia