Daniel Ginnes carried a banner declaring: "No More Mr Nice Gay." Brian Lindsey held up a sign billing Joseph Smith, founder of the Church of the Latter Day Saints, as a "prophet, polygamist, paedophile." Hundreds of others simply chanted: "Mormon s*****."

More than 2,000 gay rights protesters marched on a Mormon temple in Los Angeles on Thursday, throwing the church and its followers on to the front line of the battle over California''s decision to ban same-sex marriage.

Earlier this week, 52.5 per cent of voters in the supposedly liberal state decided to back Proposition 8, a ballot measure that adds 15 words to the constitution, saying that: "Only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognised in California."

The development marked a massive setback for gay rights and left 18,000 couples, who had married in the five months since California legalised same-sex weddings, in legal limbo.

While New York's worshippers are filling churches, mosques and synagogues to pray tomorrow on the National Day of Prayer, atheists in the city will be gathering to protest.

The Center for Atheism, a national group of atheists based in New York City, will be holding its annual Gift to Life Day as an alternative to the National Day of Prayer on May 1. Atheists - as well as anyone else wishing to participate - will visit their local blood banks to donate blood and sign up for organ donation programs, said Ken Bronstein, president of both the CFA and New York City Atheists.

Each year, the U.S. president proclaims an official day of prayer and encourages citizens to participate. "As Atheists, we don't think this is right," Bronstein said.

He said the blood drive is a positive reaction and it "reflects how an atheist would approach a problem."

For months, a group calling itself Anonymous has been running giggling circles around the Church of Scientology. At the same time, caution is always advised - masks are worn, everyone is named Anonymous. People are advised to park far away or take public transit, and use the buddy system to avoid being followed home. The precautions seem almost a little over-the-top.

According to the latest from Anonymous, the precautions are needed, and the backlash has already begun. Anonymous members are being publicly outed, and emails warn of threatening letters and DVDs being sent to Anonymous members by the COS.

After the jump we are printing the letter from Anonymous warning of the threats, along with the story of one "outed" Anonymous organizer who has permitted LAist to publish his story.


Recent email to Anonymous members