Left-wing gay activists have begun to "out" lawmakers, and others, who support the Federal Marriage Amendment, or who oppose it but take other positions that the activists consider "anti-gay.".

* Left-wing gay activists have begun to "out" lawmakers, and others, who support the Federal Marriage Amendment, or who oppose it but take other positions that the activists consider "anti-gay." The same activists have also sought to out people who work for these "anti-gay" lawmakers. Most gay organizations have distanced themselves from the tactic. That is to their limited credit: limited because the groups have not denounced the tactic, and because the incivility of outing is implicit in their own rhetoric. It is they who have labeled all opposition to same-sex marriage, and indeed all opposition to the judicial imposition of same-sex marriage, manifestations of hatred of homosexuals. The gay-rights lobby sees itself as a foe of religious intolerance, and cannot recognize its own fanaticism. Its reluctance to invade the privacy of elected officials and their aides is a commendable betrayal of its own principles, and a sign that its members are more decent than their premises should allow.