NOM BLOG

Category Archives: California

"Privacy for All Students" Effort Continues to Gain Steam

PFAS

We've been keeping our readers informed about the ongoing efforts in California to overturn AB 1266, the "Co-ed Bathroom Law" - efforts which have brought together a broad coalition effort in the Privacy for All Students campaign, including NOM California and NOM's political consultant Frank Schubert.

In case you missed it, Frank was interviewed last Friday for National Review Online and explained to Alec Torres why he is optimistic about the initiative underway there:

Once people become aware of [the law], then they oppose it.... We’ve done a survey and what we’ve found is that only 35 percent of voters support this law, and 51 percent oppose it. When you [talk with individuals and] go through the pro and con arguments, we end up at over 60 percent opposition to the law.

A victorious repeal of the law is almost certain if the matter can be put on the ballot. That's what the Privacy for All Students coalition is busy working to do, gathering petition signatures to meet a November 8th deadline.

To find out how you can help, visit the coalition's website today.

Time is Short to Stop the Bullying of Children in School Showers and Bathrooms

National Organization for Marriage

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Our children face enough struggles at school without having to worry about being harassed and bullied by someone of the opposite sex forcing their way into the most vulnerable areas of public schools — showers, bathrooms, changing areas and locker rooms. But that's exactly what is going to happen if a new law in California is allowed to take effect.

California lawmakers have passed what's being called the coed-bathroom law. It mandates access to all school facilities including showers and restrooms based on "gender identity" and not a student's actual sex.

The temptation some people may have is to chalk this law up to another crazy idea coming out of California. But that would be a mistake. Rather, this new law illustrates where the gay lobby is going with their never-ending crusade to strip society of all gender norms and differences.

California is the first state to pass a law like this, but several other states have had similar legislative proposals. And Massachusetts has passed something similar by way of administrative regulation.

If the law is allowed to stand in California, it could be coming to your state before you know it. That's the bad news.

The good news is that we have an excellent chance of stopping this law in its tracks and making sure it never takes effect. But time is short — we have only one week left to stop this law.

NOM California is working with allies in the Privacy For All Students coalition to qualify a referendum putting the co-ed bathroom law on the ballot. Once the referendum qualifies for the ballot, the law is suspended and does not take effect until voters can decide if they want to approve or reject the law.

Our polling shows that voters are highly likely to reject the law if it is presented to them. The challenge is obtaining the nearly 505,000 signatures we need to succeed.

If you live in California, or can forward this email to someone who does, please go to the coalition website to download a petition. Complete the petition (be sure to read the instructions) and mail it back immediately. Petitions must be received by November 6th to be processed in time to be submitted to counties on November 8th.

Please also make an immediate contribution to NOM California so that we have the resources to finish the petition drive strong. Because of the short timeframe to mount a referendum, it's necessary to supplement the volunteer effort with a paid petition drive. We must help the coalition raise $77,500 immediately to finish the paid petition portion of the qualification effort.

We are nearly out of time. Hundreds of thousands of signatures have been collected, but we need more.

If you live in California, please help us by signing the petition today. Regardless of where you live, please also make an immediate donation to NOM California so that we have the resources needed to complete the petition drive.

We are counting on you to help protect the privacy and security of our children and grandchildren and prevent them from being exposed to members of the opposite sex in school showers, bathrooms and locker rooms. Please act today.

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown

Bathroom Backlash

National Organization for Marriage

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Let me start by thanking all of you who responded to our request to support the referendum to overturn California's incredible new co-ed bathroom law.

And then let me gently persuade any of you who have not signed a referendum petition and made a donation to help this effort.

I know it sounds like the end of a "slippery slope" scenario: "If we don't do this or that, then we will have boys in the girls' locker rooms". But it is true.

California's legislature approved it and Governor Brown signed it into law. It will take effect on January 1, 2014. Starting on that day, any boy can claim to identify as a girl and start using the girls' bathrooms, showers and locker rooms. And girls can claim to identify as boys and use the boys' facilities.

It will be an absolute right. There is no check or safeguard to assure that the claim of gender identity is sincere. But let me be clear, even if there were safeguards to assure that the claim of gender identity is sincere, I would still object to forcing boys and girls to share bathrooms, showers and locker rooms.

Why?

Because nakedness trumps sincerity. I do not want a naked boy in front of a young girl in the shower or bathroom even if he sincerely identifies as a girl.

We should have compassion for students that are uncomfortable with their sexuality or believe that biology has betrayed them. But we have to also have compassion for all of the other students whose privacy will be denied and who will be uncomfortable when these facilities are no longer sexually separate.

How can we possibly be so committed to relieving the discomfort of a handful of students but totally ignore the discomfort and privacy concerns of the 99%+ of other students?

How can we claim that this will decrease bullying, when forcing boys and girls to share bathrooms IS bullying?

Thankfully Californians are having a bathroom backlash.

There is a plan to stop this law from being implemented and allow the voters to reject it. But that plan depends on you and me.

NOM California has joined the coalition of Privacy For All Students to qualify a referendum to overturn this law. I am asking all supporters of true marriage as the union of one man and one woman, and anybody with common sense, to take a stand for privacy and safety by supporting this referendum.

If you have not done so, please visit the PFAS web site at www.privacyforallstudents.com. There you can download a petition, sign and return it in the mail. You can also get church resources and other information for collecting signatures.

Please also make an immediate donation to NOM California to help us cover the costs of this referendum effort. To gather the almost 505,000 valid voter signatures required to qualify the referendum, it is necessary to have paid signature gatherers collect a portion of these signatures. It is an expensive process and we need your immediate help. Your donation to NOM California will be used to help us support the petition drive.

Remember, time is short. All signatures must be submitted to the PFAS office by November 6 so PFAS can process and have these delivered to each county by November 8.

Your signature on the petition and financial support is needed right away. Please do not delay.

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown

Gutting the Republican Party

National Organization for Marriage

Dear Marriage Supporter,

As you know, NOM is engaged in fights to defend marriage in Congress as well as in states all across the country.

And one of the most frustrating things I repeatedly run in to is Republicans who are pressured, bullied and cowed into silence by a small but powerful faction that is trying to GUT the Republican Party of its traditional principles and values.

These RINO-backers are telling Party members that they shouldn't stand up for marriage... that they shouldn't even talk about marriage, or protecting innocent life from the scourge of abortion... that marriage and life are losing issues... When NOTHING could be further from the truth!

When over 60% of the voting public backs marriage at the ballot box, how on Earth can they make that claim with a straight face?

And yet, they do. The marriage issue performed an average of 7 points better than the Romney ticket did last November, and yet GOP candidates are still told to ignore marriage. And wishy-washy politicians who lack principles fall in line, abandoning marriage, life, and pro-family policies in the process.

I don't know about you, but I'm sick of it.

That's why you and I need principled leaders like Kirk Jorgensen in Congress.

Please click here today to make a donation to support Kirk's campaign.

Not only does Kirk have to fight against liberal California Democrats — he has to fight a liberal challenger from his own party!

Carl DeMaio is a career politician, running as a Republican, who has abandoned the party's platform on both marriage and life — a RINO to the core — and, worst of all, is being backed by many establishment Republicans trying to reshape the party to be more “progressive”!

Will you let them do that? Or will you stand with me today and help send a true marriage champion to Washington?

The September 30th FEC filing deadline is rapidly approaching and Kirk needs our help right away. Many of you have already given — almost 100 of you have stepped up in the past few days to make a donation — but we need to help Kirk's campaign take the next step.

We cannot miss this opportunity to send a message to the Republican-In-Name-Only establishment in Washington: WE the People reject your attempts to GUT the Republican Party of its core principles and values.

We need leadership in Washington that will stand for the values that made this country great — that will stand for marriage, for life, and for family!

And, after you have donated, please forward this email to your family and friends and ask them to help you send this true marriage champion to Washington!

Sincerely,

Brian S. Brown

P.S. The struggle for control of the Republican Party is real. A well-financed group of political operatives are working day and night trying to get the Party to abandon its values and reshape its principles. We CANNOT let that happen!

The Grassroots base of this great nation believes in marriage and we WILL NOT stand by and watch as the core values of the Republican Party are gutted. We must respond by taking advantage of this opportunity to send principled leaders like Kirk Jorgensen to Washington. Will you stand with me today in supporting Kirk by making a generous donation to his campaign?

National Organization for Marriage California Backs Effort to Repeal Co-ed Bathroom Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 20, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Matille Thebolt (703-683-5004)


"AB1266, the co-ed bathroom law, is a horrible attempt by activists to strip society of all gender roles and uses children as a weapon in their culture war." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Sacramento, CA — The National Organization for Marriage California (NOM) today announced that it has joined in the fight to repeal California's first-in-the-nation co-ed bathroom law, AB 1266. NOM is urging its members in California to assist in the effort to gather the nearly 505,000 required voter signatures to place the repeal on the November 2014 ballot, suspending the law until Californians can vote to reject it.

"AB1266, the co-ed bathroom law, is a horrible attempt by activists to strip society of all gender roles and uses children as a weapon in their culture war," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "The National Organization for Marriage fully supports the efforts of the Privacy for All Students coalition to repeal this dangerous law. Opening our most vulnerable areas at school including showers, bathrooms and changing rooms to members of the opposite sex is politically-correct madness that risks the privacy and security of our children and grandchildren."

NOM has long warned that when marriage is redefined, other important social norms are soon destroyed. In June 2013, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the backers of Proposition 8 preserving marriage did not have the legal standing to bring an appeal of a lower court ruling finding traditional marriage laws to be unconstitutional, which resulted in same-sex marriage being imposed on the state in violation of the direct decision of the people themselves.

"Not even two short months after the US Supreme Court refused to uphold the right of over 7 million Californians to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, the California Legislature passed AB 1266, the school co-ed bathroom law," said Brown. "They are forcing our school children to be exposed in showers and bathrooms to members of the opposite sex who claim a 'gender identity' with that sex. This new law doesn't prevent bullying - it is bullying. It is not about protecting kids; it damages kids."

The Privacy for All Students coalition is attempting to stop the law's implementation by gathering nearly 505,000 voter signatures by early November. The law will then be suspended until the people have the chance to reject it at the general election to be held in November 2014.

"We urge all our supporters to download a petition and to financially support the Privacy For All Students coalition effort," Brown said.

The National Organization for Marriage expects to play a significant role in getting the referendum on the ballot as it did in the Prop 8 campaign in 2008.

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), [email protected], or Matille Thebolt (x143), [email protected], 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).

We Can Help Stop the Madness in California

National Organization for Marriage

Dear Marriage Supporter,

We warned Californians during the Proposition 8 campaign that once marriage was redefined, it would open the floodgates to more proposals to use the public schools to push our opponents' activist agenda. Their ultimate goal has never been simply to have the right to "gay marriage;" it's to strip society of all gender roles. Well, true to form, that's exactly what's happening, and they're using California's school children as a weapon to wage their culture war.

Not even two short months after the US Supreme Court refused to uphold the right of over 7 million Californians to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, the California Legislature passed AB 1266, the school co-ed bathroom law. If you haven't heard of this new law, you soon will. The law mandates that any student has the right to use the showers, restrooms and locker rooms — and play on school sports and athletic teams — of the opposite sex based on claiming "gender identity."

Stop the Madness

As bad as this is, fortunately we have an opportunity to all work together to stop this madness by qualifying a referendum to put the new law enacted by AB 1266 on the ballot, where I am confident that it will be rejected by voters.

This new law opening the most vulnerable areas of schools — showers, bathrooms and changing areas — to the opposite sex is set to start on January 1st. However, the good news is we can stop it from ever going into effect by mounting a referendum effort.

NOM California has endorsed the referendum effort to reject the co-ed shower and bathroom law, and we encourage you to join us. We've joined with the Privacy For All Students coalition to help collect the 505,000 voter signatures needed to put the new law on the ballot, and to suspend it until voters have the chance to reject it in 2014.

Please act today to download the referendum petition and begin collecting voter signatures to stop this legislation that opens school showers, bathrooms and locker rooms to members of the opposite sex.

It's Truly Outrageous!

The coalition only has until early November to collect approximately 505,000 voter signatures needed to suspend AB 1266 and give voters the right to decide if we want to overturn this outrageous law.

How bad is this new co-ed shower and bathroom law? It's truly outrageous. This new law invades the privacy of our children while they are in the most vulnerable areas of a school — showers, rest rooms and locker rooms. The law allows any student to use the facilities reserved for the opposite sex simply by asserting a vague "gender identity." The bill contains no definitions, rules, standards or guidelines. It simply creates a right for students of the opposite sex to use the most sensitive private areas at school.

Can you imagine how your daughter or granddaughter would feel having to share a shower with a male student following gym class? All the male student has to do is claim a female gender identity, and this new law gives him the absolute right to shower with female students!

Conversely, imagine a scenario where a fully-developed teenage girl decides to shower with the guys, claiming that she identifies with the male sex.

The new law is so poorly drafted that the student claiming a gender identity opposite his or her actual gender needs no evidence that he or she actually identifies with the opposite gender. There is no requirement that the person have ever presented himself or herself at school or home as the opposite gender. There's no requirement for a medical or professional evaluation. And there is no requirement that the student's parents be involved in the decision. The law is wide open for abuse.

Please help us by collecting as many signatures as you possibly can. Please also share this petition with all your friends, family and colleagues and ask them to help as well. (Before collecting signatures, please download and read the circulation instructions to make sure all the signatures you collect will be acceptable.)

I firmly believe that with this new law the homosexual movement has gone too far and exposed their agenda — and their willingness to use our children and grandchildren as tools to achieve it. The new co-ed shower and bathroom law is the only bill of its kind ever enacted in America. With your help, we can stop it by getting behind the Privacy For All Students coalition referendum effort.

This New Law Doesn’t Prevent Bullying — it is Bullying

Our opponents and the political elite will try to portray this new law as being necessary to prevent discrimination and bullying. But the fact is that California already protects so-called transgender students against bullying and discrimination, including actions based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and non-conforming gender appearance and behavior.

A recent statewide poll showed just how unpopular this new law is with California voters. Only 35% of voters support the law, while 51% oppose it. We never had that kind of advantage with Prop 8 — a 16 point lead — showing just how far this new law is out of the mainstream.

Please help NOM California with an urgent financial contribution as we reach out to voters across the state to spread the word and encourage citizens to sign the referendum petition. We hope to play a significant role in getting the referendum on the ballot, just as we were in helping qualify Proposition 8 back in 2008. In fact we were the largest contributor to qualifying Prop 8, and we hope to play a significant role in qualifying this referendum as well.

The time available to qualify the referendum to the ballot is short — effectively only 80 days to collect signatures. That's why no referendum has ever qualified solely by volunteers. To be successful, we need to fund a professional circulation effort to supplement the work of the volunteers.

Your contribution will help us be able to make the difference in qualifying this most urgently needed referendum. It will be used to support the effort by printing petitions, spreading the word and helping to pay for professional circulators. Please give today.

This new law doesn't prevent bullying — it is bullying. It's is not about protecting kids; it damages kids

The bill is so badly written it may actually deprive transgender students of access to targeted strategies to help them, including offering access to gender-neutral single-stall restrooms, access to faculty facilities and other strategies tailored to meet the specific needs of the individual student. Instead, the transgender student is forced into a one-size-fits all process pushed by agenda political activists.

All Kids Deserve Support and Love

God made society to be male and female because men and women are complementary, and the union of men and women is the only union that can create new life. There's no question that children thrive when they receive the love of both genders, beginning with a mother and a father. Yet some children suffer from gender confusion and deal with powerful emotions that draw them to identify with the opposite gender. Those kids deserve our support and love — we are all children of God — and certainly no child should be subjected to discrimination or bullying. But California already protects children from bullying based on gender identification. This new co-ed shower and bathroom law is about agenda politics, not helping kids.

We can stop this outrageous law in its tracks, and thwart the efforts of homosexual activists to use vulnerable children as a weapon in their culture war to redefine society. Please act today to download a referendum petition and get started immediately collecting signatures.

Please also consider making an immediate financial contribution to NOM California so that we can help reach other Californians and get them involved in the effort as well.

We can stop the gender madness coming out of Sacramento by stopping the co-ed bathroom and shower law in its tracks. Supporting the Privacy For All Students referendum against the law is something we can do today that will make a real difference for our children, grandchildren, and for generations of kids to come. Please act today.

Sincerely,

Brian S. Brown

PS — Please act today to download the petition to stop this outrageous law that jeopardizes the safety, security and privacy of vulnerable children using sensitive school facilities like showers, restrooms and locker rooms. We need to collect over 500,000 voter signatures by early November. We also urgently need your financial help to spread the word to more Californians who need to know about this terrible legislation, and to supplement our volunteer effort with professional circulators. Thank you.

The National Organization for Marriage Applauds the Tabling of California Measure Targeting Boy Scouts and Other Traditional Family Groups

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 13, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Matille Thebolt (703-683-5004)


"We're pleased that common sense prevailed in this case. This bill was put forward to punish groups that refused to embrace the radical homosexual agenda including same-sex marriage." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) applauded the tabling of California legislation (SB323) that would have stripped groups of their tax exemption if their beliefs and practices don't affirm concepts like "gender identity," gay "marriage," and other ideas that fly in the face of the teachings of virtually every faith tradition.

SB 323 was originally aimed at the Boy Scouts, falsely claiming that they engaged in discriminatory practices by supposedly not accepting homosexual members. But the fact is that the bill would have punished any type of group with traditional values, and allowed only liberal groups that affirm the homosexual agenda to enjoy a tax exemption.

"We're pleased that common sense prevailed in this case. This bill was put forward to punish groups that refused to embrace the radical homosexual agenda including same-sex marriage," explained Brian Brown NOM president. "The failed attempt to pass legislation like this is clear proof that one of the first casualties of redefining marriage is our precious religious liberties."

NOM, with many other state and national groups, urged their membership to contact their representatives in opposition to this bill. Nearly 400 emails, letters, and calls were generated directly by the National Organization for Marriage.

"Like the recent victories for marriage in Australia and Pennsylvania, the tabling of this legislation demonstrates that marriage and family champions can be victorious when their voices are clearly heard in the halls of power," continued Brown. "NOM and its allies will continue to build on these victories as we stand for traditional values wherever they are under attack."

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), [email protected], or Matille Thebolt (x143), [email protected], 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).

The Growing Trend of Intentional Single Fatherhood

Winnipeg Free Press examines the growing trend of single men who have decided they want children, and the fact that those children will be intentionally denied of a mother - during their upbringing and throughout their lives - is all but irrelevant.

At 42, [Trey Powell] is a new addition to the ranks of men who intentionally seek the role of single father. While some opt Baby for Salefor adoption, others yearn to have children with genetic ties and are willing to invest $100,000 or more to make that happen.

There are no firm numbers of how many men have taken this route. It's clearly still a rarity, although Growing Generations, a leading for-profit surrogacy agency in Los Angeles, says its caseload of single men has risen steadily and totalled about 25 cases last year.

"We tell people to budget $125,000 to $150,000 for a single baby, and $150,000 to $175,000 for twins," said Stuart Bell, co-owner of Growing Generations.

Those figures include compensation of $8,000 to $10,000 for the egg donor, and at least $25,000 for the surrogate mother who gives birth after being impregnated with an implanted embryo.

Though male clients have the option of enlisting an egg donor on their own, Bell said most make their choice from a pool of women recruited by Growing Generations. The clients aren't told the names of the possible egg donors, but see videos of them and learn extensive details about their health, education and genetic history.

Like Trey Powell, [Alan] Bernstein is gay and grew into adulthood never expecting that fatherhood would be a realistic and enticing option.

Read the full article here.

Marriage’s Destruction? It’s Lee Marvin’s Fault

Cultural movements—both good and bad—almost always can trace their ultimate success or failure to a “tipping point” moment. Sometimes these moments are obvious and celebrated, and in some cases they can be more hidden or obscure. point blank lee marvin

Writing for First Things’ On the Square about the dissolution of marriage, attorney Wesley J. Smith points his finger at famous actor Lee Marvin for one of those more obscure moments…well, sort of.

Smith poses the question: “How did marriage lose most of its meaning?” And his answer is the infamous 1976 California Supreme Court case Marvin v. Marvin.

The case was precedent setting because Michele Triola Marvin sued Lee Marvin, claiming breach of contract because he had assured her of “life-long support,” but instead broke up with her. The couple had never married, but had lived together for many years and she had legally changed her last name to Marvin. The suit was dismissed by the trial court, but surprisingly was taken up on appeal by the state’s Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court’s decision in favor of Michelle Marvin, “sparked the long march that institutionalized the sexual revolution, transforming what might have been a transitory cultural phenomenon—akin to the Roaring Twenties—into a remade legal and social order.”

Smith also points out, “the Court half-heartedly tried to refill what it had just hollowed-out.” The ruling stated, “Lest we be misunderstood, however, we take this occasion to point out that the structure of society itself largely depends upon the institution of marriage, and nothing we have said in this opinion should be taken to derogate from that institution.”

Despite the courts attempt to sugarcoat their actions, the decision cleared the way for the slow, but sure denigration of marriage by equating virtually any form of cohabitating with the institution of marriage.

You can read Smith’s full article, The Case That Destroyed Marriage, here.

Some things You Just Don't Want to Miss

National Organization for Marriage

Dear Marriage Supporter,

It has been an incredible week for marriage and I want to make sure you've heard all the news.

This week was the launch of our $1 million dollar match campaign. A faithful and generous donor, who believes we can win the marriage battle, has stepped up and promised to match every dollar we raise between now and the end of the year. Up to $1 million dollars!

Donate Today

If you haven't taken the opportunity to have your donation doubled by this incredible donor, please do so right now. Help us defend marriage in the legislatures of Hawaii, Illinois, and New Jersey. Help us prepare for ballot fights in at least three and maybe eight states. Help us defend your religious liberties from coast to coast. Your sacrificial donation today will be doubled dollar for dollar.

After you've made your contribution there is still plenty of work to be done. NOM has several action items that you can take to protect marriage, defend our religious liberties, and urge a return to the rule of law in our land:

First is calling and sending an email to Chairman Camp of the Ways and Means Committee. In investigating the IRS scandal and the felony committed against NOM, the Ways and Means Committee has not conducted an in-depth investigation or questioned under oath anyone from the Human Rights Campaign, nor gotten full answers from anyone at the IRS including the former Acting Director. Please use this link to get Chairman Camp's phone number; then, after you’ve called his office, send him an email demanding he use the subpoena power of his committee to get to the bottom of the scandal.

Next, is the state of Hawaii. In Hawaii, the Governor has presented the legislature with a draft bill to legalize same-sex 'marriage' and he may call a special session of the legislature to force this through. If you're in Hawaii, or know family and friends there, please take action to send the State Representatives and Senators an urgent message urging them to reject the redefinition of marriage.

Moving east from Hawaii, the California Legislature is at it again, this time considering legislation that would strip groups of their tax exemption if their beliefs and practices don't affirm concepts like "gender identity" and gay "marriage" and other ideas that fly in the face of the teachings of virtually every faith tradition. SB 323 was originally aimed at the Boy Scouts, falsely claiming that they engaged in discriminatory practices by supposedly not accepting homosexual members. But the fact is that the bill would punish any type of group with traditional values, and allow only liberal groups that affirm the homosexual agenda to enjoy a tax exemption. If you are in California or have friends and family there, please use this link to send a message to the CA Assembly asking them to reject this discriminatory law.

Continuing our journey east, New Mexico and Texas continue to be in the news. In New Mexico, county clerks across the state are deciding for themselves to issue same-sex 'marriage' licenses, against the June written opinion of the Attorney General. Thousands of you have already sent emails to Governor Martinez asking her to intervene to restore the rule of law and defend marriage as one man and one woman. If you haven't yet, use this link to send her a message then forward it to any friends and family you have in New Mexico.

Finally in Texas of all places, religious liberties and the freedom to speak and live our faith in the public square is under attack by a proposed San Antonio city ordinance that would bar anyone who has ever allegedly "discriminated" in word or deed from working from the city. This includes organizations that have contracts with the city to provide essential services. Churches and other faith groups are understandably up in arms, knowing that this ordinance would impact them and anyone who has ever voiced support for traditional marriage. Homosexual activists consider the mere act of supporting marriage as the union of one man and one woman to be discrimination per se. The City Council vote is September 5th. Faith groups have begun having rallies and will continue to work to stop this unconstitutional proposal. Please take the time to make your voice heard by sending Governor Perry and the Attorney General of Texas a message urging them to do what they can to stop this proposal.

And don't forget the $1 million match. Please make sure you donate today to have your generous gift doubled in the fight to defend true marriage and our first amendment right of freedom of religion.

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown

Take Immediate Action To Stop Discrimination Against Pro-Family Groups

National Organization for Marriage

Dear Marriage Supporter,

The California Legislature is at it again, this time considering legislation that would strip groups of their tax exemption if their beliefs and practices don't affirm concepts like "gender identity" and gay "marriage" and other ideas that fly in the face of the teachings of virtually every faith tradition. SB 323 was originally aimed at the Boy Scouts, falsely claiming that they engaged in discriminatory practices by supposedly not accepting homosexual members.

But the fact is that the bill would punish any type of group with traditional values, and allow only liberal groups that affirm the homosexual agenda to enjoy a tax exemption.

SB 323 is an example of what happens when marriage is redefined, as tragically happened when the US Supreme Court refused to hear the appeal of the Proposition 8 case. Seven million Californians had their victory for marriage stolen by a single, rogue federal judge in San Francisco — someone who himself was engaged in a long term homosexual relationship just like those who were challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8. Because the state officials responsible for defending Prop 8 refused to do so, and because a bare majority of the Supreme Court said the proponents of the initiative couldn't defend it, the decision of this lone judge was allowed to stand, redefining marriage over the express determination of the people themselves.

It's no wonder that the main group that opposed Proposition 8, the mis-named Equality California, is the same group that is sponsoring SB 323. They, with their allies, want to silence faith groups and those who stand in the public square for a traditional view of sexual morality. In fact, they'd like to punish us by stripping faith groups of their tax exemption.

Think about how outrageous this legislation really is. Groups that have historically fed the hungry, housed the homeless, cared for orphans, educated the young, and tended the sick are all being targeted by homosexual advocates who demand conformance to their narrow agenda. No matter the incredible service that church groups and those who hold a traditional set of values and beliefs have performed for society and youth, they are to be punished if some state official determines that they "discriminate" by not going along with the gay lobby's agenda.

It is imperative that we all fight back now by contacting our state Assembly representative and urging him or her to oppose SB 323. It's unfair, un-American, one-sided and frankly outrageous. Contact your representative here.

We have a real chance of stopping this legislation, but we need you to act immediately. Please act this very minute to contact your Assembly representative.

Now that homosexual marriage advocates have gotten the courts to do their dirty work and impose same-sex 'marriage,' they now are focusing their efforts on silencing all those who oppose them. And make no mistake, that's exactly what SB 323 is intended to do.

Already in other states, we've seen lawsuits by government officials and gay advocates against florists, photographers, inn keepers, bakers, churches and others, all because they don't want to personally participate in same-sex ceremonies. We expect similar actions in California. But no state has yet gone as far as the bullies behind SB 323 in California who want to put their opponents out of business, and allow only groups that embrace a homosexual-friendly agenda to enjoy a tax exemption.

We can't let them get away with this. And with your help, they won't get away with it. Please contact your state Assembly representative immediately and demand that he or she oppose SB 323.

Thank you for your attention to this critically important issue.

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown

National Organization for Marriage Denounces California Supreme Court Decision Not to Consider Viability of Proposition 8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 15, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)


"Same-sex marriage in California is illegitimate, imposed by judicial activists in opposition to the expressed will of the people. The nation, and the rule of law, are worse for it." — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today denounced the California Supreme Court's refusal to consider whether a single federal judge can invalidate a statewide vote enacting Proposition 8, which was adopted by over 7 million Californians.

"The ruling is very disappointing but not unexpected. Unfortunately, a million Californians, redefining marriage in direct contravention of the expressed will of the people. Same-sex marriage in California is illegitimate, imposed by judicial activists in direct opposition to the expressed will of the people. California, the nation, and the rule of law are worse for it," declared Brian Brown, NOM's president.

Proposition 8, amending California's State Constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman, was passed in 2008 with over 7 million votes. It marked the second time Californians had voted to preserve the true definition of marriage. (In 2000, voters enacted Proposition 22, a statute.) Despite this, a homosexual federal judge engaged in a long-term gay relationship declared that the measure was unconstitutional. Because the state officials responsible for defending Proposition 8 abandoned their oath of office and refused to do so, it fell to the proponents of the measure to defend the initiative through the federal court system. However, the US Supreme Court decided that the proponents did not have legal standing to appeal the trail court ruling invalidating Prop 8. Yesterday the state Supreme Court declined to consider whether state law allows a single trail judge to invalidate the measure.

"The way that activist judges have dealt with Proposition 8 is a travesty of justice and undermines the rule of law and the democratic process itself," Brown said. "The legitimate votes of 7 million Californians, and their fair-minded, reasonable position that marriage should be defined as the union of one man and one woman, have been trampled underfoot by derelict politicians and activist judges. However, this is not the end of the debate. No judge or politician can redefine what God has created. NOM and our allies will work to make sure the people of California, and other states where marriage has been redefined have a voice speaking for true marriage. So-called same-sex 'marriage' is a political creation; it doesn't exist in reality. Eventually it will fall, and we will restore natural marriage in California."

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), [email protected], or Jen Campbell (x145), [email protected], at 703-683-5004.

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Support Prop 8 and the Rule of Law

National Organization for Marriage

Dear Marriage Supporter,

As you are undoubtedly aware, the battle over Proposition 8 and the definition of marriage is ongoing in California. And while Governor Brown and Attorney General Harris, with several County Clerks, continue their lawless decree that Prop 8 no longer applies, at least one County Clerk has chosen to follow the rule of law and respect the votes of over 7 million Californians. San Diego Clerk Ernie Dronenberg has asked the California Supreme Court for guidance and direction on whether Proposition 8 still applies.

This confusion was created when the US Supreme Court refused to consider the merits of Prop 8 and dismissed the appeal brought by the proponents of the measure. This left the trial court ruling in effect, but a trial court is powerless to invalidate a law without an appellate court agreeing. With the appeal dismissed, there is no appellate court ruling on Proposition 8.

Merely for asking the California Supreme Court to clarify the law, he is being viciously attacked by homosexual marriage activists, who are demanding that he withdraw his request.

If you have not already, please read the email below and join our California allies in contacting the County Supervisors and voice your support of County Clerk Ernie Dronenburg.

Continuing to Stand for Marriage in California,

Brian S. Brown

How in the world can more than a dozen states vote on constitutional amendments, and their votes count — while our votes on Proposition 8 do not count in California?!

As you know, our courageous County Clerk Ernie Dronenburg filed a lawsuit seeking guidance and clarification by the California Supreme Court as to whether Proposition 8 is still law - because it has not been overruled by any appellate court, and the federal district court injunction against it only applies to Alameda and Los Angeles Counties. Confusing!! Therefore, Ernie's lawsuit is intended to clarify and uphold the rule of law.

As our County Clerk, Ernie Dronenburg is sworn to uphold the California Constitution. His lawsuit seeks to ensure that all marriages performed enjoy constitutional protection.

BUT Ernie has come under fierce attack by special interest groups who oppose Prop. 8, and are seeking to bring heavy political pressure to force Ernie to drop the case.

We must be defensive in this matter! Do not let a very small % of the population speak for you!

Please immediately reach out to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors and urge them to support Ernie Dronenburg in this lawsuit. Ask them to encourage Ernie not to withdraw the lawsuit.

Please call or email the below County Supervisors today. Do Not let our Governor and Attorney General overturn the vote of 7 million Californians who voted for Proposition 8.

Here's a sample email — (please write in your own words):
Dear Supervisor Name, as a concerned citizen, voter, and follower of the California Constitution, I would like to urge you to support and encourage County Clerk Dronenburg in his lawsuit filed with the California Supreme Court for clarification and guidance in the matter of Proposition 8. It is important that all marriages enjoy constitutional protection, and Mr. Dronenburg's lawsuit seeks to clarify if Proposition 8 is truly the law, thus protecting all citizens. Please respond to me at: (your email address.) with your decision. Thank you. Sincerely, your name

Thank you. Please send your email to each supervisor below.

URGENT: Please pass this along to 10 friends and ask them to do the same.

God bless you.

District 1: Supervisor Greg Cox
Tel: (619) 531-5511
Fax: (619) 235-0644
Email: [email protected]

District 2: Supervisor Dianne Jacob
Tel: (619) 531-5522
Fax: (619) 696-7253
Email: [email protected]

District 3: Supervisor Dave Roberts
Tel: (619) 531-5533
Fax: (619) 234-1559
Email: [email protected]

District 4: Supervisor Ron Roberts
Tel: (619) 531-5544
Fax: (619) 531-6262
Email: [email protected]

District 5: Supervisor Bill Horn
Tel: (619) 531-5555
Fax: (619) 685-2662
Email: [email protected]

Cheated: How the Courts’ Treatment of Prop 8 Robbed America of its Democratic Process

Frank Schubert, NOM’s national political director, published a commentary yesterday at The Witherspoon Institute’s Public Discourse blog, reflecting on the course of court events that led to the recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions and the consequences those decisions have engendered.

BB PROP 8 RALLY 056 Frank SchubertSchubert points out that the "legal circus" has not only effectively disenfranchised more than seven million California voters, and that this should upset all of us: “Regardless of whether you see voters defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman as the ‘good guy’ or the ‘bad guy’ in this political drama, the process that killed marriage in California should greatly concern anyone who cares even remotely about democracy and the rule of law.

Schubert goes on to answer an oft-asked question in the wake of the recent SCOTUS decision: “How do you feel?”

I feel like we were cheated. Just like I felt as a kid watching the bad guy put a sleeper hold on his opponent, or hitting him below the belt or with the brass knuckles while the referee had his back turned, so have the legal system and politicians cold-cocked the people of California—seven million of whom went to the polls to lawfully enact Prop 8. Only this time, I realize there’s not likely to be a rematch. The cheaters won.

I feel like the rule of law has been shredded, and conniving politicians have been rewarded for ignoring their sworn oath of office. Public confidence in the judicial system has been dealt a severe blow. Supporters of same-sex “marriage” may be happy with the result today, but hold on until the tables are turned and a conservative governor and attorney general refuse to defend a law they don’t personally support, and there’s nobody left with standing to defend it. …

I feel like a broadside has ripped a great hole in the initiative and referendum process itself. I have managed nearly 40 statewide ballot initiative campaigns in my career. The initiative process is one of the few viable ways to get a recalcitrant government to respond to legitimate issues that are not being addressed by the legislature or the state administration. By its nature, citizens are often pushing a law that is opposed by those in power.

Now those very people in power—the governor and attorney general—have been given a pocket veto over the initiative process itself. They can invalidate any measure they don’t personally support simply by refusing to defend it in federal court. Such power was never contemplated by the framers of the constitution, or by the people of California, but that is the practical result of the Supreme Court’s ruling on Prop 8. Again—it is marriage today, but tomorrow it could be any other issue on the political spectrum.

You can read the rest of Schubert’s insights here.

Emergency Alert: Lawlessness Continues – Same-sex ‘Marriages’ Resume in California

National Organization for Marriage

Dear Marriage Supporter,

In a case that has been marked by judicial arrogance and, frankly, lawlessness since the beginning, three judges of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals late Friday lifted their stay which had been in effect since a trial judge had ruled against Proposition 8.

Same-sex couples began being 'married' in California when state officials illegitimately declared Proposition 8 was no longer in force and ordered county clerks to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples immediately!

This, despite the fact that the US Supreme Court decision does not take effect for three more weeks.

It's another sad example of the utter disregard for the rule of law and judicial propriety by those who swear an oath to uphold the laws of California, and the nation.

We need your support to respond to this unparalleled act of lawlessness.

After Proposition 8 was challenged, both the governor and attorney general refused to defend it. Proposition 8 was invalidated by a homosexual judge in San Francisco who was engaged in a long-term same-sex relationship, something the judge refused to disclose during the trial.

Then the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals weighed in to declare that Prop 8 is invalid in a decision written by Senior Judge Stephen Reinhardt, a judge whose wife actually advised the attorneys challenging Prop 8. He similarly refused to recuse himself from the case despite the apparent conflict of interest.

And then a majority of the US Supreme Court rewarded them all by deciding that the only defenders of Proposition 8, the official proponents, lacked standing to appeal the trial judge's decision.

It would appear that the desire to impose same-sex marriage by some public officials trumps integrity, fairness, propriety, and even the rule of law. All Americans should be outraged!

Despite the circus that is playing out in California, we will not be deterred from our goal of preserving marriage as it was designed and intended by its Creator.

We are counting on your support to stand up for marriage and the rule of law that has made this country great.

Standing up for what is right,

Brian S. Brown