Little-known fact:
Entering "NationalOrganizationForMarriage.com" into an
Internet browser is an easy way to buy ceramic Ku Klux Klan
figurines online.
Little-known fact:
Entering "NationalOrganizationForMarriage.com" into an
Internet browser is an easy way to buy ceramic Ku Klux Klan
figurines online.
The National
Organization for Marriage's actual website acts as an
online fund-raising force and information center for opponents
of marriage equality. But those looking to learn more
without learning the real address first will be rerouted to
KKK.com, where visitors are greeted by Pastor Thomas Robb's
warning of an alleged race war against Caucasians.
Theodore Trentman, the
domain's owner and a self-described Web advocate, said
it's no accident. Trentman bought the domain name on April
8, 2009, because he said the routing brought viewers to a
closer representation of the certified 501(c)(4) nonprofit.
He said NOM's $1.5
million "Religious Liberty" ad campaign was
misleading but personally inspiring. Persons featured
in it warned of a "gathering storm" of gay advocates
who, according to the commercial, will negatively affect the
lives of heterosexuals.
Trentman said his
decision to associate the KKK with the NOM came down to a
personal feeling that the organization was representing a
philosophy similar to the Knights Party -- something he felt
obligated to call out.
"I think the
National Organization for Marriage hosts a different message
than they think they do," Trentman said. "The true
message is one of hate, division, and discrimination."
Trentman owns around 16
other domain names for similar purposes. Trentman, whose domain
was
discovered
Tuesday morning by blogger Jeremy Hooper, said he buys
names that he feels members of the gay community should own.
With his activism, the fight for equal marriage is not only for
a consensus of public opinion but also for the most logical
online hosting of one's own.
A spokesperson from the
Ku Klux Klan had no comment, and phone calls to the National
Organization for Marriage were not returned.
Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter.
Page 1 of 1