FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2011

CONTACT: Christopher Plante, at 401-954-7173 or [email protected]

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE-RHODE ISLAND BEGINS RADIO AD CAMPAIGN TELLING GOVERNOR CHAFEE TO LET THE PEOPLE VOTE

Providence, RI – The National Organization for Marriage-Rhode Island (NOM-RI) launches a radio ad tomorrow focusing on Gov. Chafee’s attempts to pressure lawmakers into passing gay marriage, while serious threats to the state, such as its economy, are not receiving the attention they need.

“Lincoln Chafee has recently asked for more time to work on the state budget, but our question is why has he been wasting the state’s time pushing his same-sex marriage agenda instead of focusing on the economy?” said Christopher Plante, Executive Director of NOM-RI. “The Governor has been calling on the legislature to move quickly to enact same-sex marriage, denying voters their say on marriage, and pushing aside critical issues like getting the state economy on track.  He needs to stop wasting time by messing with marriage and start focusing on the real issues of the state.”

The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to have a hearing on a bill legalizing same-sex marriage next Wednesday, February 9.  The introduction of this bill represents the denial of the people of Rhode Island the right to vote on the marriage issue.

“In 31 out of 31 states where voters have been given the right to decide the marriage issue, all thirty-one have voted to protect marriage. We want Rhode Island voters to be given that same opportunity,” said Plante.  “Now is not the time for an activist Governor who only received 36 percent of the popular vote in the November election to force his agenda through the legislature and onto the state.”

NOM-RI has been active in the state on the marriage issue with previous ad campaigns, grassroots outreach, and events.

“We are not backing down from this challenge, and we will not let up on our efforts to get a vote for the people of Rhode Island,” concluded Plante.

Transcript of the Radio Advertisement:

“Wasting Time"
60 Second Radio

Oh brother.

What’s that, hun?

Lincoln Chafee says he needs more time to get his budget proposal together.

More time? Well it is a tough problem.

Which is why I don’t understand why he’s wasting time trying to redefine marriage instead of solving our economic problems.

Redefine marriage?

Chafee wants to impose gay marriage on Rhode Island with no vote of the people.

That’s not right.

He’s got time to pressure lawmakers about gay marriage, but needs more time to get his economic plan together?

Sounds like he’s wasting time.

I don’t want legislators messing with marriage. Marriage brings men and women together to help ensure that as many children as possible are raised by a mom and a dad. And kids need a mom and a dad.

What can we do?

I’m going to tell our representatives not to mess with marriage. And if they think marriage needs changing then they should put this issue on the ballot for voters to decide.

Let the people vote.

Paid for by National Organization for Marriage Rhode Island.

To schedule an interview with Christopher Plante, Executive Director of National Organization for Marriage-Rhode Island, please contact Elizabeth Ray, [email protected], (x130) or Mary Beth Hutchins, [email protected], (x105) at 703-683-5004.