After a marathon day of closing arguments, interviews, and press conferences yesterday, one thing is certain: The fight for Prop 8 is just beginning and we’re in this for the long haul.
Let me be clear: The battle over Prop 8 is a battle for the future of marriage in America. Ted Olson made no pretense yesterday – his goal is to overturn marriage not just in California but in every state across the nation, striking down state laws and constitutional amendments in 45 states.
As Maggie told the press after leaving the courtroom yesterday afternoon:
Chuck Cooper is a heckuva lawyer. At stake in this case is the future of marriage in all 50 states, and he's right that this attempt to shut down the debate by constitutionalizing gay marriage will backfire. Americans have a right to vote for marriage. Ted Olson doesn't seem to understand the argument, and judging from today's exchanges, neither does Judge Walker. I expect Judge Walker will overrule Prop 8. But millions of Americans do understand why marriage is the union of husband and wife and I believe the majority of the Supreme Court will as well.
We must be there every step of the way. Will you stand with us today? Over the next 48 hours, we have set a goal to raise $50,000 for the defense of Prop 8. Your gifts are tax deductible, and every dollar raised will go directly toward the legal fees and litigation expenses incurred in the Prop 8 trial.
Most of us can afford $20, or even $50 to help fight for marriage. (Think one less meal out with your family this month.) Some may even be able to give $100, $500 or $1000. Whatever you can afford, your gift is urgently needed. Please click here to make an online donation that will help ensure that we can take this fight all the way to the United States Supreme Court.
Chuck Cooper and all the Prop 8 legal team have been very generous with their time – but still the costs of a lengthy trial, followed by two years of appeals all the way to the United States Supreme Court, will run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, perhaps into the millions. Our side doesn’t have a handful of Hollywood liberals and gay billionaires to fund our efforts – this is about all of us coming together to do what we can.
Consider these words from Pastor Jim Garlow – pastor of Skyline Wesleyan Church in San Diego, and founder of the California Pastors Rapid Response Team:
“[The same-sex marriage debate] is THE major change point of the last few decades. While the abortion issue is a foundational issue, the marriage definition issue is a survival issue. No single social issue has threatened to forever muzzle Bible believing Christians like this contest.
"If we lose on this one, the culture loses. One person has astutely observed that ’we cannot win the culture war merely on Prop 8, but we can lose it on Prop 8.'
"It is imperative that all pastors and Christian leaders view this for what it is: an irretrievable moment, with profound and lasting consequences. We must vigorously support Prop 8, as if our ministries and our lives depend on it. Ultimately, they will."
Losing simply isn’t an option. As most of you know by now, at NOM we have seen victory after stunning victory over the past two years, not because we had the largest organizational structure or the biggest lobbying budget, but because we have been willing to stand in the breach and put everything on the line. Together we have stood firm, shocking the media pundits and gay marriage activists alike, with victories in California, Maine, New York and New Jersey.
It’s time to do it again. Please stand with us and make your most generous contribution today! Together we will take this fight for marriage and the rights of California voters all the way to the Supreme Court – and win!
