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Category Archives: States

Please Help Us Save Marriage in Illinois - And Across America

May 22, 2013 – 10:50 am

Dear Marriage Supporter,

For months and months, NOM has been fighting hard to protect marriage in Illinois.

That's why, with less than ten days left to go in the legislative session, gay activists are still scrambling to twist arms and strike backroom deals in Springfield.

Your emergency gift of $35, $75 or $150 could make the difference by helping stop gay marriage in Illinois — the last state that will debate marriage before the Supreme Court hands down its ruling later next month.

Yes, even in this deep blue state where Democrats hold a supermajority and the governor is pushing for gay marriage, we've managed to stop them in their tracks — at least, so far.

Scoring a victory...will force politicians and the media to take notice. Please take action and contact your lawmaker urging them to vote NO on gay marriage.

NOM has joined forces with the African American Clergy Coalition and other allies on the ground, investing upwards of $125,000 to support a variety of activities including calling the constituents of wavering Representatives, alerting the citizens of Illinois to the threat to marriage in their state, and helping them take action to protect marriage.

We are achieving results, but we have so much more to do.

Supporter, it's make-or-break time in the Land of Lincoln!

Please make an emergency donation to NOM's efforts to protect marriage. $35, $75, $150 — whatever you can spare. Every gift matters — your gift matters!

And if you haven't already contacted your friends and family in Illinois and urged them to email and call their state representative in Springfield, please do so right away — before you close this email. Please forward this to everyone in your contact list you know cares about the defense of marriage.

Thank you — now is the time for action!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Featured, Illinois, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (0)

National Organization for Marriage Condemns the Murder of a Gay Man in New York

May 21, 2013 – 4:44 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 21, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

Washington, D.C. — The following statement may be attributable to Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage:

National Organization for Marriage

"We condemn in the strongest possible way the murder of a gay man in New York by a killer who apparently hurled anti-gay insults at him moments before the killing. This senseless act cannot be condoned in America or anywhere, and we urge that the perpetrator be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Our heart goes out to the family of the victim, and we hold them in our prayers. While this killing appears to have no connection to the current debate about redefining marriage, there is no room for violence toward any American — whether they support traditional marriage or not. No person should be subjected to violence because they are gay or lesbian or because they believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman. There is no place for violence, period."

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), eray@crcpublicrelations.com, or Jen Campbell (x145), jcampbell@crcpublicrelations.com, at 703-683-5004.

Paid for by The National Organization for Marriage, Brian Brown, president. 2029 K Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006, not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. New § 68A.405(1)(f) & (h).

By NOM Staff | Posted in Featured, New York, Press Releases | Comments (6)

National Organization for Marriage Condemns Minnesota Legislature for Redefining Marriage

May 13, 2013 – 6:35 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 13, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"Make no mistake, this vote will bring the demise of the DFL majority and end the careers of wayward Republicans in the Legislature once voters have their say." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — The National Organization for Marriage today condemned the Minnesota Legislature for redefining marriage and predicted that the vote will lead to the DFL losing their majority in the 2014 election.

"Just six months ago advocates of redefining marriage said that there was no need for the marriage amendment because Minnesota already had a traditional marriage law on the books. Now, they’ve changed that law and imposed genderless marriage,” said Brian Brown, NOM’s president. “Make no mistake, this vote will bring the demise of the DFL majority and end the
careers of wayward Republicans in the Legislature once voters have their say."

In November 2012, the state narrowly rejected a proposed constitutional amendment to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Opponents of the amendment argued, among other things, that it was not needed since the state already defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman. Because of their financial advantages (outspending supporters of the amendment by nearly $7 million) they won a narrow victory.

"The people of Minnesota did not vote for gay marriage in 2012,” said Brown. “They voted to maintain traditional marriage by maintaining the status quo. Our opponents bought a victory by claiming that marriage was not under threat of redefinition, but in fact they always intended to redefine it at the soonest possible moment. Legislators who voted to redefine marriage were foolish to do so. They cast a terrible vote that damages society, tells children they don’t deserve a mother and a father, and brands supporters of traditional marriage as bigots. We predict that this vote will be career ending for many legislators in Minnesota."

NOM was the largest funder of the marriage amendment campaign in 2012.

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), eray@crcpublicrelations.com, or Jennifer Campbell jcampbell@crcpublicrelations.com, at 703-683-5004.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Featured, Minnesota, Press Releases | Comments (84)

LTE: Rhode Island’s Elected Officials Gave in to Bullying

May 13, 2013 – 9:00 am

Marla Parker writes to The Westerly Sun:

This is in response to the April 22 letter to The Sun by Chris Irwin in which she charges the National Organization for Marriage and the Rev. Raymond Suriani with “bullying.” I ask “who’s bullying whom?”

It is Ms. Irwin’s baseless complaint to the IRS against the Rev. Suriani that constitutes bullying.

She contacted the IRS alleging that the Rev. Suriani engaged in political lobbying when he reminded his parishioners of church teaching on homosexuality and marriage, and encouraged them to exercise their right as American citizens by contacting their senator, whose duty is to represent them and their views at the Statehouse.

This harassment leveled against the Rev. Suriani is a typical intimidation tactic designed to silence all those who disagree with the gay agenda, and it is just the tip of the iceberg. In Sweden and Canada, ministers were jailed for quoting from the Bible and preaching against homosexual behavior once marriage was redefined there.

The redefinition of marriage impacts personal lives well beyond same-sex couples. One’s choice of a partner does not concern me, but when they come to our legislatures and courts and force the rest of us to recognize and accept their relationship as identical to that of a man and a woman, it affects everyone.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Civility, Marriage, Rhode Island, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (7)

Brian Brown: Delaware Gay Marriage Vote Will Be Campaign Issue Next Election

May 10, 2013 – 11:30 am

Brian Brown spoke with the Associated Press about the fact that gay marriage will be a political issue in the next elections in states where legislators -- especially Republican legislators -- voted to redefine marriage:

"...opponents of gay marriage say Delaware lawmakers will face consequences for supporting the measure, which cleared the Senate on a 12-9 vote and was signed into law by Democratic Gov. Jack Markell barely half an hour later.

“I think there will be some people that will be replaced,” said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, a conservative group opposed to same-sex marriage.

Brown said he thinks both Cloutier and Rep. Michael Ramone of Newark, the only other Republican lawmaker to vote for gay marriage, will be defeated if they seek re-election.

“Either in a primary or in a general election, we don’t really care,” Brown said, adding that plenty of Democrats oppose gay marriage.

“The reality is that these were very close votes, even with a supermajority of Democrats in Delaware,” he noted. “They needed 11, they got 12.”

While gay marriage is now the law of Delaware, Brown said his group would work to overturn it.

“It may take a long time ... but we’ll continue to fight and continue to support candidates who support traditional marriage,” he said."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Delaware, Marriage, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (93)

National Organization for Marriage Condemns the Redefinition of Marriage in Minnesota, Says Citizens Were Warned

May 9, 2013 – 5:45 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"Minnesota voters should be outraged that they were sold a bill of goods by gay marriage activists last November." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — Only six months after gay marriage activists promised Minnesotans that there was no threat to marriage in Minnesota, today's passage of a bill to redefine marriage reveals that proponents of last November's failed Marriage Protection Amendment were telling the truth all along.

"Minnesota voters should be outraged that they were sold a bill of goods by gay marriage activists last November," Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, commented. "Our opponents filled the airwaves and spent millions claiming marriage was under no threat in Minnesota. And yet they lost no time in pushing for the redefinition of marriage as soon as our marriage protection amendment failed, despite new polling that shows a majority of Minnesotans oppose redefining marriage. We have long argued there is a very grave threat to marriage and today we witnessed our predictions sadly confirmed."

Brown continued: "The recent actions in Minnesota should serve as a wakeup call to other states that have not yet passed Marriage Protection Amendments: if you do not protect marriage proactively in your constitution, the powerful and wealthy gay marriage lobby will target your state for their next campaign to change your laws."

Brown added: "The new legislation in Minnesota will expose pro-marriage Minnesotans to additional legal action and harassment, as we have seen happen time and time again in other states that have redefined marriage."

Brown concluded: "The National Organization for Marriage commends all of the individuals and groups in Minnesota who have worked so hard for so long to protect marriage. This fight is not over. Minnesota will someday, once again, reflect the truth about marriage in its laws, of that we are confident."

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), eray@crcpublicrelations.com, or Jen Campbell (x145), jcampbell@crcpublicrelations.com, at 703-683-5004.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Featured, Minnesota, Press Releases, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (85)

Calls Pouring into MN Speaker Thiessen's Office - VOTE NO

May 9, 2013 – 11:30 am

Pro-marriage forces are holding an all-day rally and lobbying day in Minnesota to urge their lawmakers to vote no. And they are hitting the phones as well:

"...Opponents remain hopeful that their last-minute push can persuade a crucial few legislators to reject the change, pressing their belief that the DFL-controlled Legislature is going against the wishes of a majority of Minnesotans. They have spent months trying to convince lawmakers that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman ordained by God, not any state or even federal law.

“Traditional marriage supporters around the state are extremely upset that the DFL leadership, with same-sex marriage proponents, seem intent on forcing same-sex marriage on Minnesotans who don't want it,” said Autumn Leva, a spokeswoman for Minnesota for Marriage, which is trying to defeat the measure. “They feel betrayed by their legislators.”

In the closing days, same-sex opponents have pounded House Speaker Paul Thissen’s office with calls, at the rate of one a minute. The Minneapolis Democrat said he would not bring up the measure for a vote unless he was certain it would pass.

The debate (which will be livestreamed here) stands to be the most divisive, dramatic and unpredictable at the Capitol this year. Advocates from both sides are expected to jam the Capitol in coming days to let their opinion be known and make sure legislators know they are watching." (Star Tribune)

Have you made your voice heard?

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (56)

The Week: Brady's Resignation Means GOP is Doubling-Down on Marriage

May 9, 2013 – 11:30 am

Harold Mass of The Week acknowledges that the GOP is firmly pro-marriage and Brady's ouster is a sign of that fact:

In a widely expected move, embattled Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady resigned on Tuesday. Brady said he wanted to spend more time with his family as his wife fights cancer, but social conservatives have been calling for Brady's head for months. They're angry over his support for a gay marriage bill floated in the state legislature this year — the latest in a series of similar measures taken up across the country.

...No matter how Brady's departure is spun, the takeaway is that the Illinois GOP is doubling down on its opposition to gay marriage. Though "it's pretty clear that support for marriage equality is what forced [Brady] out of office," says Doug Mataconis at Outside the Beltway. After he came out for the marriage bill, 50 conservatives called for his resignation at a meeting in April.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Illinois, Marriage, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (4)

Minnesota Budget Office: Gay Marriage Will Hurt Minnesota Taxpayers

May 9, 2013 – 11:15 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"Gay marriage activists continually try to push the lie that redefining marriage is an economic stimulus, but this report shows the opposite is true — redefining marriage hurts the economy." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — Earlier this week, Minnesota Management and Budget predicted that redefining marriage would cost the state over $675,000 a year. This would not be offset by same-sex couples paying for marriage licenses and related expenses. The same report noted that the number of same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses would also dramatically drop off after the first year.

Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage (http://www.nationformarriage.org/), reacting to this report said: "On top of the incredible social damage caused by redefining marriage, gay marriage will place a significant economic burden on struggling states. Gay marriage activists continually try to push the lie that redefining marriage is an economic stimulus, but this report shows the opposite is true — redefining marriage hurts the economy."

Previous estimates of the number of same-sex couples who will seek marriage licenses have been exaggerated, and the positive economic impact of redefining marriage has been hugely overstated by agenda-driven think tanks such as the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law. Meanwhile, most of the top 10 states for business have marriage protection amendments (such as North Carolina) while most of the worst top 10 states for business have redefined marriage (such as New York) or are seeking to do so.

Brown continued: "Common sense tells us that strong economies are built on strong families, and marriage protects families and our future by giving children the mother and father they deserve and with whom they do best in life. Lawmakers in Minnesota ought to protect marriage, not redefine it."

Brown concluded: "For the good of children, of spouses, and for the benefit of Minnesota taxpayers, lawmakers should not vote to redefine marriage."

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By NOM Staff | Posted in Featured, Minnesota, Press Releases, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (22)

National Organization for Marriage Condemns Redefinition of Marriage in Delaware

May 9, 2013 – 11:00 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"Lawmakers in Delaware chose to abandon and discard society's most important institution and put their pro-marriage constituents on a collision course with the law." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — The National Organization for Marriage today condemned passage of same-sex ‘marriage' in the Delaware state Senate Tuesday and pledged to make sure that voters know if their lawmakers voted to redefine marriage. The Delaware Senate passed the bill by a vote of 12-9. Two weeks ago the House passed it 23-18. Even in this deep blue state, the final vote was close.

"Lawmakers in Delaware chose to abandon and discard society's most important institution and put their pro-marriage constituents on a collision course with the law." said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "The Senators and Representatives who voted for this bill have endangered people of faith who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman. In Delaware, as in other states that have redefined marriage, it will not be long before these good men and women feel the repercussions of this new law."

This legislation does not create a new category of marriage for same-sex couples. Rather, it completely redefines marriage for all people in Delaware. While it purports to include so-called religious liberty protections, it contains no protections for many faith-based organizations, small businesses and individuals who are frequently targeted for legal punishment over their refusal to countenance genderless marriage.

In Vermont, it was Christian innkeepers. It was Christian florists in Washington State. Elsewhere photographers, bakers, event venue operators, notary publics, justices of the peace and town clerks have all been targeted for punishment if they do not agree to go along with gay ‘marriage' in violation of their deeply held beliefs.

And the biggest losers in the redefinition of marriage will be children.

"For the first time, the state of Delaware is saying to its children they do not deserve both a mother and a father, and are backing a law that is designed to intentionally deprive some kids of either a mom or a dad," Brown said. "It's bad enough when families break down through divorce or death, but it's unconscionable when a state encourages this through policies that deprive children of the love of both a mother and a father. This is a very sad day for Delaware."

"This is not the end of the debate. We intend to make sure that every citizen in Delaware knows how their policymakers voted on this critical issue. We will hold the politicians accountable for their votes. Republicans like Catherine Cloutier, especially, will have to answer for abandoning marriage — a core position of the GOP platform — and many may face primary challengers, as they should."

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By NOM Staff | Posted in Delaware, Featured, Press Releases, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (30)

Minnesota Rep. Stands Strong for Marriage

May 9, 2013 – 10:45 am

The vote on gay marriage is today in Minnesota. Lawmakers are under huge pressure from gay marriage activists. This state representative is standing strong:

"Rep. Denny McNamara, R-Hastings, whose district saw 53 percent of voters reject the constitutional amendment, hasn't changed his mind: He'll vote "no" on Thursday.

"Marriage is marriage," McNamara, who supports civil unions for same-sex couples, said Tuesday. "I've thought about it over and over, and ultimately I'm confident with my decision." (Pioneer Press)

You can send him a note of encouragement here and contact your lawmakers here.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (1)

Victory: Pro-Marriage GOP Grassroots Oust Chairman Brady

May 8, 2013 – 10:30 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 8, 2013

Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"This is yet another powerful example that the GOP grassroots is firmly pro-marriage" — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — Reacting to news today that Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady has resigned after immense pressure was put against him in the wake of his abandonment of the GOP platform on marriage, Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, said: "This is yet another powerful example that the GOP grassroots is firmly pro-marriage."

Pat Brady told CNN today "… obviously I had lost the support of the state Central Committee because of my position on gay marriage." Brown continued: "Brady fell into the lie that Republicans do not care about marriage and won't take vigorous action against those in their party who abandon marriage. Brady has quickly learned his lesson. Other Republicans who are tempted to abandon the party platform on marriage should take note or they will also risk their political careers."

Brown concluded: "The pro-marriage GOP grassroots in Illinois and around the country ought to be commended for this victory. Their persistence and commitment to conservative principles — including the critical institution of marriage — is what led to this victory. May this inspire other GOP activists across the country to continue fighting to protect marriage and preserve winning conservative principles."

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By NOM Staff | Posted in Featured, Illinois, Press Releases | Comments (26)

Minnesota House to Vote on Marriage this Thursday!

May 7, 2013 – 3:30 pm

We've just found out the Minnesota House will be voting this Thursday on a bill to redefine marriage:

The Minnesota House will hold a final floor vote on whether to legalize same-sex marriage Thursday.

...The Senate is expected to take up the measure soon after. DFL Gov. Mark Dayton is a supporter of same-sex marriage and said he will sign the proposal into law.

The vote will come after months of intense lobbying at the Capitol by both sides of the issue. (Star Tribune)

We know that a majority of Minnesotans do not support redefining marriage. If you have not yet contacted your Representative please do so now.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Alerts, Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (82)

Grassroots Initiate Recall Against Politician Set to Vote Against His Pro-Marriage Constituents

May 7, 2013 – 1:00 pm

Pro-marriage activists in Minnesota are wasting no time responding to a Minnesota lawmaker who says he plans to vote for SSM, despite the fact that over 60% of his district voted to protect marriage last November:

Doug Kern, deputy chair of the Crow Wing County Republican Party, said Monday he is starting a recall petition against Rep. Joe Radinovich, DFL-Crosby, in the wake of the lawmaker’s announcement that he will support gay marriage legislation.

Kern said he started the effort because of Radinovich’s stand on the issue despite last fall’s vote totals on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Even though the measure was defeated statewide, House District 10B voters favored the proposed constitutional amendment, garnering 62.5 percent of the vote.

“He’s supposed to represent the people,” Kern said.

Kern said the vote to legalize gay marriage would threaten religious freedom. He said while legislation has language to protect pastors it doesn’t protect Sunday school teachers and Bible study leaders. (Brainer Dispatch)

Please continue to contact him and other Minnesota lawmakers.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

Marriage Proponents: Religious Protections a "Big Lie"

May 7, 2013 – 11:00 am

The coalition to protect marriage in Minnesota is making the point that the religious protections being offered are not enough -- redefining marriage always threatens religious freedom:

Same-sex marriage opponents warned Minnesotans that religious liberty will not be protected if the Legislators legalize gay marriage this year.

“In New York, we were promised that the religious freedom amendment to our same-sex marriage legislation would do the job,” said the Rev. Jason McGuire, president of New Yorker’s Family Research Foundation. “Our legislators bought the lie and today every New Yorker is living the lie.”

Minnesota for Marriage brought several town officials from New York, where same-sex marriage is legal, who argue they had to resign rather than be forced to process marriage licenses for gay and lesbian couples even though it was against their religious beliefs. The group says the religious protections in the Minnesota proposal are completely inadequate, leaving business owners and religious groups wide open to lawsuits if they fail to embrace same-sex marriage.

Minnesota for Marriage held the news conference as legislators are weighing a proposal to legalize same-sex marriage this year. Dozens of supporters stuffed into the small conference room, many holding signs that read: “Don’t erase moms and dads from MN public policy.” (Star Tribune)