NOM BLOG

Category Archives: Missouri

TAKE ACTION: Tell Sen. McCaskill to Support Conscience Protections for Chaplains

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Dear Marriage Supporter,

Lately Sen. Claire McCaskill has been on national TV like Charlie Rose and Chris Matthews calling herself one of the lone Senate "moderates" who is working every day for veterans and our men and women in uniform, while fighting against special interests' control in Washington.

Since she raised it, it's time for Sen. McCaskill to explain why she refuses to protect the conscience rights of military chaplains and the men and women in uniform they have promised to serve.

The challenges for faithful military chaplains continue to mount. A year ago, the Navy issued new "sensitivity training" guidelines that required Navy chaplains to perform same-sex marriages. Last September, the Department of Defense issued two more memos, requiring all military facilities to be available for same-sex weddings and allowing chaplains to participate in same-sex ceremonies. Thanks to leadership from Congressmen Tim Huelskamp and Todd Akin, the Navy backed down and rescinded the guidelines, but the threats to the liberty of our military chaplains continue to mount.

And now, anti-marriage interest groups in Washington have convinced Sen. McCaskill not only to seek repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, but also to refuse needed conscience protections for military chaplains to preach and teach in support marriage (and our service men and women to listen!) during religious services and counseling sessions.

Only pressure from special interest groups could explain why now for Sen. McCaskill, speaking in favor of same sex relationships in the US Armed Forces is protected speech, but for military chaplains and their congregants to speak in favor of marriage is forbidden and subject to punishment as disruptive to good order and discipline. Chaplains and service men and women can—and have—faced punishment for expressing their views. Faced with this situation, Sen. McCaskill offers no sympathy or support.

Take Action Now!

We respect the work that Senator McCaskill and all members of the Senate have done to support America's warriors and veterans. But when she has to make a choice between anti-marriage special interests and our warriors and their chaplains, she has sided with the special interests.

That is not moderate, not pro-warrior and pro-veteran and certainly not free of special interest influence.

If you live in the eastern half of the state call Sen. McCaskill's office in St. Louis at 314.367.1364. If you live in the western half of the state call Sen. McCaskill at her office in Kansas City at 816.421.1639. And, to make sure she gets the message, call Sen. McCaskill's office in Washington DC as well at 202.224.6154.

Tell Sen. McCaskill you are watching her votes carefully:

No chaplain or warrior should be penalized for the respectful or prayerful expression of their moral convictions and support for marriage.

We were told explicitly that the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell would NOT lead to a gag order on Military Chaplains and their congregants, but that is exactly what has happened.

If the special interests want to say support for marriage is bad for good order and discipline, they need to prove it. They cannot.

Sen. McCaskill, we are looking to you to stand up against the special interests creating a problem where one does not exist. Tell the special interests to stop handing our Chaplains and warriors the choice between keeping quiet or facing the consequences—or come back to Missouri and explain to us why you will not.

NOM Congratulates Rick Santorum on Extraordinary Victories

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2012
CONTACT: Anath Hartmann or Elizabeth Ray (703-683-5004)


Former Pennsylvania Senator wins in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri; has signed NOM's Marriage Pledge

National Organization for Marriage

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Brian Brown, the president of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), today congratulated former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum on his extraordinary victories in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri. Santorum has long been an ally of the National Organization for Marriage, writing many fundraising letters on the group's behalf over the years.

“NOM congratulates Rick Santorum for his extraordinary victories on Tuesday – winning a clean sweep in Colorado, Minnesota and Missouri,” said Brown. "This is the first time that more than one state voted on the same day and Santorum , who has signed NOM’s Marriage Pledge, won them all, firmly establishing himself as a major factor in the presidential race.”

With his previous victory in Iowa, Santorum has now won four state contests, more than any other candidate. Santorum, Romney and Newt Gingrich have signed the NOM Marriage Pledge. Only Ron Paul, who has said that civil marriage should be abolished all together, has refused. Paul is the only candidate who has failed to win a single primary or caucus. Newt Gingrich won in South Carolina and Mitt Romney won in New Hampshire, Florida and Nevada. NOM has actively opposed Paul’s candidacy and maintains the website www.wrongonmarriage.com to inform voters about his radical views.

“Preserving marriage as the union of one man and one woman is an important issue in the GOP presidential race, and we will continue to let voters know where the candidates stand on marriage,” Brown said.

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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 Anath Hartmann, [email protected], at 703-683-5004.

Only 32% of Missourians Support SSM, Dem-Leaning Polling Firm Notes National Trend Favors Protecting Marriage

The Democrat-leaning Public Policy Polling firm has been actively polling marriage and other political topics state-by-state recently. They include an observation about a trend line they are seeing favoring the protection of marriage in their analysis of Missouri voters:

"59% of voters in Missouri think that gay marriage should be illegal, compared to just 32% who would like to see it become legal. But when you throw civil unions into the equation 62% of voters support some form of legal recognition for gay couples to only 37% opposed to giving same sex couples any sorts of rights. The 62% breaks down 28% for whom full gay marriage rights is their first choice and 34% who prefer civil unions. This is what we're seeing in most states- voters are uncomfortable giving the label 'marriage' to gay relationships...but they're ok with granting those couples more rights as long as it's called something else."

Planned Parenthood St. Louis Insemination Services

Insemination Services?  Who knew?  Lovely photo of two women headlined "They Just Found Out They Were Expecting Finally"

Because nothing causes infertility like attempting to have a child with another woman?