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'Death Penalty For Gays' Initiative Countered With California 'Shellfish Suppression Act'

SACRAMENTO (CBS SF) - A proposed California ballot initiative that calls for the execution of gay Californians is being met with outrage, disgust and a healthy sense of humor.

Huntington Beach attorney Matt McLaughlin filed papers to begin gathering signatures for the ballot measure, officially known as the "Sodomite Suppression Act" on February 26th. The initiative would allow the death penalty for anyone who 'touches another person of the same gender for purposes of sexual gratification.'

Movements are already afoot to stop the proposal before it event reaches the signature gathering stage, but in the meantime, some other politically active Californians are having a little fun at McLaughlin's expense.

Last month, Charlotte Laws proposed an 'Intolerant Jackass Act' to force anyone putting forward a ballot measure calling for the killing of gays and lesbians to attend sensitivity training and carry the label of "intolerant jackass."

Now, San Jose resident Joe Decker has mocked the use of the Bible as justification for targeting the LGBT community by making another interpretation scripture the law of the land. Decker has paid the $200 fee to put forward the "Shellfish Suppression Act" for circulation in front of California voters.

"Shellfish are a monstrous evil that Almighty God, giver of freedom and liberty, commands us in Leviticus to suppress. They also smell bad," reads the proposed act.  "Any person who willingly consumes or sells shellfish is guilty of a felony, and shall be fined $666 thousand per occurrence, and/or imprisoned up to 6 years, 6 months, and 6 days."

The law is a reference to Leviticus 11:9-12 which has been read to mean that humans shall not eat shellfish in any form.

 

 

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