MassResistance
Encyclopedia
MassResistance is a Massachusetts
anti-gay group that promotes socially conservative positions
primarily on issues surrounding homosexuality, the transgender
community and same-sex marriage
. It was formed in 2006 as a consolidation of the Parents' Rights Coalition
and the Article 8 Alliance. The group has criticized former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney
for not opposing same-sex marriage, and says it fights against students in public schools being taught about homosexuality.
founded MassResistance—formerly known as Article 8 Alliance—in 1995. Camenker resides in Newton, Massachusetts
, where he has also particpated in local politics and was President of the Newton Taxpayers Association.
attended a statewide conference, called "Teach-Out," that was sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Education, the Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
, held at Tufts University
.
One student asked about fisting
and was provided with an explanation. MassResistance dubbed the incident "Fistgate" after Scott Whiteman, a MassResistance member, "secretly recorded the workshop". As a result of the outcry that was generated when parents heard tapes of the event, Margot Abels, a state employee who participated in the discussion, and two other state employees were fired. One of the state employees was later reinstated to her job.
Abels filed suit against Brian Camenker and Scott Whiteman as a result of his distribution of the tape recordings. The case was settled out of court; the result of a second lawsuit is unavailable.
. After repeatedly requesting that the videotaping be discontinued, the principal, Jennifer Huntington, summoned police officers to the school to warn the two parents that they would be charged with trespassing if they didn't leave the campus immediately. They were told they could stay and attend like everyone else, but taping would not be allowed. A local columnist, Tom Mountain of the Newton Tab, was also barred from the assembly "for the safety and security of the children."
store in Boston, Massachusetts due to a display of transgender mannequins. According to MassResistance they were successful in removing the "transgender mannequins" from the store window.
failed in October 2008 when the group collected roughly a third of the required signatures. The law had been used by Governor Mitt Romney to prevent out-of-state same-sex couples from marrying in Massachusetts. It was repealed in July 2008.
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences for promoting anti-gay
studies lacking scientific merit. Since March 2008, the Southern Poverty Law Center
has listed MassResistance as an anti-gay "Active U.S. Hate Group".
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
anti-gay group that promotes socially conservative positions
Social conservatism in the United States
Social conservatism in the United States is generally defined by promotion of what its proponents perceive to be traditional social norms and values...
primarily on issues surrounding homosexuality, the transgender
Transgender
Transgender is a general term applied to a variety of individuals, behaviors, and groups involving tendencies to vary from culturally conventional gender roles....
community and same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. It was formed in 2006 as a consolidation of the Parents' Rights Coalition
Parents' Rights Coalition
The Parents' Rights Coalition, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, opposes claimed liberal, homosexual bias in Massachusetts public schools. The group is allied with, among others, MassResistance...
and the Article 8 Alliance. The group has criticized former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney
Mitt Romney
Willard Mitt Romney is an American businessman and politician. He was the 70th Governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and is a candidate for the 2012 Republican Party presidential nomination.The son of George W...
for not opposing same-sex marriage, and says it fights against students in public schools being taught about homosexuality.
Founder
Brian Camenker, a conservative activist in MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
founded MassResistance—formerly known as Article 8 Alliance—in 1995. Camenker resides in Newton, Massachusetts
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
, where he has also particpated in local politics and was President of the Newton Taxpayers Association.
"Fistgate"
In 2000, members of the Parents' Rights CoalitionParents' Rights Coalition
The Parents' Rights Coalition, based in Waltham, Massachusetts, opposes claimed liberal, homosexual bias in Massachusetts public schools. The group is allied with, among others, MassResistance...
attended a statewide conference, called "Teach-Out," that was sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Education, the Governor’s Commission on Gay and Lesbian Youth, and the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network
The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network is an organization in the United States that seeks to end discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in K-12 schools. GLSEN is headquartered in New York City and the District of Columbia...
, held at Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
.
One student asked about fisting
Fisting
Fisting is a sexual activity that involves inserting a hand into the vagina or rectum. Once insertion is complete, the fingers either naturally clench into a fist or remain straight. In more vigorous forms of fisting, such as "punching", a fully clenched fist may be inserted and withdrawn slowly...
and was provided with an explanation. MassResistance dubbed the incident "Fistgate" after Scott Whiteman, a MassResistance member, "secretly recorded the workshop". As a result of the outcry that was generated when parents heard tapes of the event, Margot Abels, a state employee who participated in the discussion, and two other state employees were fired. One of the state employees was later reinstated to her job.
Abels filed suit against Brian Camenker and Scott Whiteman as a result of his distribution of the tape recordings. The case was settled out of court; the result of a second lawsuit is unavailable.
ToBGLAD taping
In 2004, Camenker accompanied another parent, Kim Cariani, who tried to videotape an event called "ToBGLAD: Transgender, Bisexual, Gay and Lesbian Awareness Day" at their children's school, Newton North High SchoolNewton North High School
Newton North High School, formerly Newton High School, is the larger and longer-established of two public high schools in Newton, Massachusetts, with about 2,000 students, the other being Newton South High School. It is located in the village of Newtonville...
. After repeatedly requesting that the videotaping be discontinued, the principal, Jennifer Huntington, summoned police officers to the school to warn the two parents that they would be charged with trespassing if they didn't leave the campus immediately. They were told they could stay and attend like everyone else, but taping would not be allowed. A local columnist, Tom Mountain of the Newton Tab, was also barred from the assembly "for the safety and security of the children."
Macy's protest
In June 2006, members of MassResistance protested a Macy'sMacy's
Macy's is a U.S. chain of mid-to-high range department stores. In addition to its flagship Herald Square location in New York City, the company operates over 800 stores in the United States...
store in Boston, Massachusetts due to a display of transgender mannequins. According to MassResistance they were successful in removing the "transgender mannequins" from the store window.
"Basically, here you have two apparently homosexual men touching each other, both of them with big breasts that are unlike any mannequin anyone's ever seen," said MassResistance President Brian Camenker. "A number of people are getting a little tired of having homosexuality pushed in their faces," Camenker added.
Mitt Romney
In January 2007, Mitt Romney's campaign issued a press release attacking Brian Camenker for MassResistance's "Mitt Romney Deception" report. Romney's campaign eventually removed the press release from its site, but MassResistance continued to display it on their own site, and they issued their own press release as well.Employee arrest
On October 23, 2008, an employee of MassResistance was arrested for disorderly conduct at a school after parents became concerned about his taking many pictures of their children.1913 Law reinstatement attempt
MassResistance's attempt to reinstate the Massachusetts 1913 law by a referendumReferendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
failed in October 2008 when the group collected roughly a third of the required signatures. The law had been used by Governor Mitt Romney to prevent out-of-state same-sex couples from marrying in Massachusetts. It was repealed in July 2008.
Criticism
MassResistance has been criticized by Janice M. Irvine of the University of MassachusettsUniversity of Massachusetts
This article relates to the statewide university system. For the flagship campus often referred to as "UMass", see University of Massachusetts Amherst...
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences for promoting anti-gay
Heterosexism
Heterosexism is a system of attitudes, bias, and discrimination in favor of opposite-sex sexuality and relationships. It can include the presumption that everyone is heterosexual or that opposite-sex attractions and relationships are the only norm and therefore superior...
studies lacking scientific merit. Since March 2008, the Southern Poverty Law Center
Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is an American nonprofit civil rights organization noted for its legal victories against white supremacist groups; legal representation for victims of hate groups; monitoring of alleged hate groups, militias and extremist organizations; and educational programs that...
has listed MassResistance as an anti-gay "Active U.S. Hate Group".