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Category Archives: States

Don't Veto the Voters

September 25, 2013 – 10:15 am

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Same-sex marriage activists are working hard to drum up the votes required to override Governor Christie's veto of a bill (2012-S1) that would have redefined marriage in New Jersey.

While they may be working quietly and behind the scenes, you can be sure that this small but very powerful and well financed lobby is being heard by our leaders in Trenton. So now we need to make sure we get a hearing too!

Marriage is a vital and important institution in our society as it has been in every society since the foundation of the world. It is the best means by which we bring new children into the world and ensure them a happy and loving environment, by uniting their own mom and dad to them and to one another.

The people of New Jersey know this about marriage, and they deserve to be heard. Let them hear you in Trenton today: "Do not vote to override the Governor's veto! Do not vote to redefine marriage! Let the people have their say in this important and critical matter!"

The people of New Jersey need to be heard in this matter, and — as Governor Christie himself has said — they should be allowed to vote directly on the issue of marriage. At the very least, they must be heard by their elected representatives and demand that these lawmakers follow the will of the people who sent them to Trenton to work on their behalf.

So please make sure your voice is heard by your representatives today by clicking here to send an immediate and urgent message. And, after you've taken action today, use the buttons below to forward this email to your family and friends or share it on Facebook and Twitter, so that our voice for our values is heard loud and clear in Trenton today!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, New Jersey, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

The "Least of Illinois' Concerns"

September 24, 2013 – 11:44 am

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At TownHall.com, Sarah Jane Seman offers a response to a recent claim by an Illinois lawmaker that by not redefining marriage, Illinois is "missing out on [an] economic opportunity."

Seman references our friend Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse's able take-down of the arguments from economics:

[A leading report on the economic advantages of same-sex marriage] give[s] the illusion of precision, however, the entire report is incorrect because premises are flawed, Morse explained.

For example, it calculated a fiscal increase from weddings between in-state residents. This is not added money to the economy, it is merely redirecting cash. The only increase to the state budget would come from out-of-state residents.

Read the entire piece here.

And, if you're a resident of Illinois, click here to send a message to the Illinois legislature to vote against redefining marriage when they reconvene next month.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Alerts, Economics, Illinois, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

The Difference Between a "Platform" and a "Forum"?

September 24, 2013 – 10:03 am

Providence College, a Roman Catholic higher education institution in Rhode Island, made news this week when it cancelled a planned speaking event for same-sex marriage advocate John Corvino.

The New York Times reports:

The event at Providence College was initially planned as a solo lecture, though Mr. Corvino said he suggested that it be a debate and provided the names of several potential sparring partners. Last week, the organizers added Dana L. Dillon, a theologian at Providence College, to present a response.

But Dr. Lena, the provost, said in an interview late Monday night that the event was canceled because it was largely a platform for only one side, and that it could be rescheduled if it included a philosophy professor with experience arguing against gay marriage.

In cancelling the event, organizers cited a 2004 document from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops which stipulates that "Catholic institutions should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles."

The point seems to be not that Dr. Corvino is unwelcome to engage the issue or provide his perspective at the college, but that this would need to be in the context of a balanced presentation that gives the Catholic Church's position alongside. What do you think? Is this a fair application by the college of Church discipline, or too cautious?

By NOM Staff | Posted in Debating Marriage, Religious Liberty, Rhode Island, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

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

September 20, 2013 – 11:17 am

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).

By NOM Staff | Posted in California, Children, Culture, Education, Featured, Press Releases, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

We Can Help Stop the Madness in California

September 20, 2013 – 10:50 am

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.

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, California, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

By What Authority?

September 18, 2013 – 11:10 am

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Three members of the Richmond City Council have introduced an ordinance that would recognize same-sex 'marriages,' in violation of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia!

This is the latest in a string of nationwide efforts by the same-sex 'marriage' lobby to circumvent the law and impose a genderless marriage regime on the American people against their will.

We can't let this happen in Virginia! Virginians made it crystal clear that they believe man is between one man and one woman when they approved the State Constitutional Amendment in 2006 by a 57 percent majority.

Please stand with us today and demand that the Richmond City Council obey the law of the Commonwealth and the express will of the people!

Here are three things you can do to protect marriage in Virginia:

First, no matter where you are in Virginia, send a message to the City Council urging them to uphold the express will of the people of Virginia and reject Ordinance #2013-154.

Second, if you are anywhere near Richmond, attend the meeting of the City Council Committee on Government Operations where the ordinance is being crafted. Details are below.

The Richmond City Council Government Operations Committee will meet on Thursday, September 26th to discuss this matter. The meeting will take place from 3:00-5:00PM at the Richmond City Hall (900 E. Broad Street), in the large conference room on the second floor.

You do not have to reside in Richmond to speak. Any member of the public may testify.

I hope you will make an effort to attend this meeting and tell the Richmond City Council that it has NO AUTHORITY to undermine the express will of the people of Virginia who voted in 2006 to pass an amendment to our constitution defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman!

Third, you can call the members of the Government Operations Committee and urge them to scrap this ordinance rather than even bring it before the full Council for consideration. Their names and contact info are as follows:

Cynthia Newbille, Committee Chair — (804)-646-3012
Ellen Robertson, Committee Vice-Chair — (804)-646-7964
Jonathan Baliles, Committee Member — (804) 646-5349
Kathy Graziano, Committee Alternate — (804)-320-2454

When you speak with these Councilpersons' offices, or if you testify at the meeting on September 26th, here are a couple of points to mention:

The proposed ordinance (2013-154) is a toothless law and a waste of taxpayer time and money. The Council should be spending its time serving their constituencies and not toying with a radical agenda pushed by a powerful special interest lobby.
Since the ordinance is incumbent on Virginia state law changing to allow same-sex marriage, the only reason it is being proposed now is to make a media event of the issue, and to put pressure on public officials and judges to ignore the will of Virginia voters who passed the Virginia Marriage Amendment by a strong majority in 2006.
The City of Richmond does not have the authority or purview to surreptitiously undermine the law of the entire state in the way, when voters throughout the entire State believe marriage is solely the union of one man and one woman!

Remind the Council, too, that everywhere marriage is redefined, society suffers: people of faith are stigmatized in the public square, bullied at their businesses and places of work, and religious organizations and individuals are forced to violate their conscience or shutter their doors. This cannot be allowed to happen in Virginia.

So please, consider attending the important meeting on September 26th, and taking action today to email and call the City Council. When you've finished, please use the buttons below to forward this email to your family and friends — or share it on Facebook and Twitter — so that the values and beliefs of Virginia's pro-marriage majority are heard loud and clear in Richmond!

"Following State Law"

September 18, 2013 – 11:09 am

When officers and enlisted swear their oath in joining the Army or Air National Guard, they vow to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States and of the State/Commonwealth/District/Territory" where they are serving.

Today, Talking Points Memo reports on three State National Guards that are doing just that by refusing to break the laws of their States in order to provide same-sex 'marriage' benefits:

The Obama administration determined this month that married same-sex couples are entitled to spousal military benefits, but three GOP-controlled states - Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi - have refused to grant them to members of their National Guards. Now advocates are urging the federal government to push back. [...]

A Mississippi National Guard spokesman told the news outlet that the unit was "following state law," which, like laws in 30-plus other states, bans same-sex marriage.

You can read more here from the Associated Press.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Law, Louisiana, Military, Mississippi, Same Sex Marriage, Texas | Comments Off

"Family Friendly" Apparently Offends Some

September 18, 2013 – 10:12 am

Many in the gay marriage movement claim that they have no desire to force their lifestyle on anyone else, they only want the freedom to love and marry whomever they wish. But sometimes this carefully-crafted claim is undermined by the real-world actions of the homosexual community itself.

An example of this was seen last week, as controversy erupted in the media about the Dallas Pride Parade. MyFoxDetroit reported that organizers had stated ahead of this year's event- which took place on Sunday- that "rules related to nudity and sexual behavior would be enforced more strictly than in past years. Police said anyone violating indecency laws in front of children could be charged with a felony."

But many in the gay community were unhappy about the stricter enforcement of the rules, not only in Dallas but across the country:

The warnings outraged some local activists, whose reactions swiftly echoed through gay-oriented social media nationwide.

"To make the parade more 'family friendly' and to accommodate comfort for the increasing number of attending heterosexuals and corporate sponsorship, participants are being asked to cover up!" activist Daniel Scott Cates wrote on his Facebook page. "The 'queer' is effectively being erased from our pride celebration."

Another activist, Hardy Haderman, wrote an aggrieved column for the Dallas Voice, a weekly serving the gay community.

"The assimilationists insist we tone down and throw away all our joyous sexiness," he wrote. "Why? To do that turns the Pride Parade into a We-Are-Ashamed parade, and I refuse to be part of that."

The rules are hardly extreme, however: the article explains that they "were drafted to conform with the city's public nudity ordinance and the state's anti-obscenity law, which bars the parade from featuring sexual paraphernalia and 'real or simulated sex acts.'"

This leaves us wondering how public displays of nudity in front of children and sexual acts on public streets doesn’t equate to forcing others to be exposed to elements of a lifestyle that is understandably objectionable to many.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Media, Offbeat, Texas | Comments Off

Grappling With the Arguments

September 16, 2013 – 5:15 pm

Oregon PolitiChick State Director Maggie Wilson-Mars writes at the PolitiChicks blog about "The Very Real Slippery Slope of Gay Marriage." Wilson-Mars is a Mormon woman and a conservative with a homosexual son with whom she often argues about same-sex marriage - with him arguing against it, and her in favor.

Throughout her piece she is dismissive of many of the arguments in favor of traditional marriage that we here at NOM know are based in greater logic and evidence that she seems willing to credit them. Nonetheless, despite her reasoning and convictions in these matters, she wrote her article to admit that there's one argument that can't be so easily dismissed -- even though, ironically, it's the one most frequently waved off in our society: namely, the so-called "slippery slope." She writes:

Here in Oregon, a bakery refused to provide a cake for a same-sex wedding. They will sell to anyone, but draw the line at providing wedding cakes for same-sex weddings. The community was outraged. Portland/Gresham is a liberal, pro-gay town and they weren’t having it. It caused such a ruckus that the Oregon Attorney General opened an investigation. [...]

A few days ago, the Oregon bakery ... decided to operate from home. The emails, messages, phone calls and threats are so bad they can’t take it. Remember, they’re still the focus of an investigation by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries into possible violation of the states discrimination laws. There’s no reassurance for churches, etc. if businesses are already being forced to participate in ceremonies that they are morally opposed to or face fines, attacks and shutdown. Just in my own personal life, I know many conservatives who have no problem with gay marriage itself, it’s just that supposedly non-existent slippery slope that rears that its ugly head time and time again. I can’t help but look into the future when I see things like bakeries getting investigated and terrorized.

Of course, just like we here at NOM have more evidence and reasons to support the arguments Mrs. Wilson-Mars rejects, we (sadly) have more proof of this danger that follows in the wake of marriage redefinition as well.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Corporate Ethics, Debating Marriage, Oregon, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

What "WE DO" Does

September 16, 2013 – 4:07 pm

The "WE DO" Campaign -- a project of a group called The Campaign for Southern Equality -- is an effort to rally same-sex couples across the South and nationwide to show up at their local clerk's office to request marriage licenses in places where marriage law still upholds the traditional and biblical definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

State Law Shredder According to its website, currently "the Campaign for Southern Equality is traveling across North Carolina, standing with couples as they approach the marriage license counter and ask their local elected official to stand with them as an act of conscience."

An op-ed by a member of the organization published in at Advocate.com claims that the Campaign for Southern Equality has been emboldened to step up this project by the actions of D. Bruce Hanes, the Register of Deeds from Montgomery Country, PA who recently made national news for issuing same-sex marriage licenses there -- an action which, as the court in Pennsylvania recently affirmed -- was illegal and in violation of his oath of office.

It is important that marriage advocates everywhere know that the recent disturbing trend of lawlessness, with local and state officials flouting and breaking clear and constitutionally enacted marriage laws, is not merely a coincidental or copy-cat phenomenon, but a carefully planned tactic aimed at undermining the democratic process and overriding the will of voters in order to impose a radical agenda of genderless marriage on our communities.

Remain vigilant, find out how marriage license issuance works in your community, and be sure to speak up to those responsible for upholding the law that you are watching and expect them to fulfill the duty they are sworn to do!

By NOM Staff | Posted in Law, North Carolina, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Illinois Marriage Alert

September 16, 2013 – 2:10 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

The next six weeks will very likely decide the fate of marriage in Illinois. Gay 'marriage' activists have declared "We will keep fighting until we win."

The legislature will resume debating the redefinition of marriage during a special legislative session scheduled to run October 22, 23 & 24, as well as November 5, 6, & 7.

I have to ask you, "Whose resolve will be stronger?"

Will true marriage champions like you and me continue to stand and defend God's definition of marriage? Will you and I bring our family and friends to the battle? It will take every one of us, using our time, talent, and treasure, to stop this onslaught against the holy institution of marriage.

Earlier this year genderless marriage was stopped in Illinois, particularly by the efforts of black pastors who worked hard to communicate with legislators, who responded by opposing the legislation. These legislators have since been the target of a multi-million dollar campaign to buy their votes.

Gay 'marriage' activists, with their millions of dollars have co-opted the unions and other liberal special interest groups into their cause, and they've even got former Illinois GOP chairman Pat Brady lobbying in Springfield for them.

I'm confident our heroes and allies have remained strong but they need your support.

There are four things you can do today, that will only take a few minutes, to make a difference:

Make a generous contribution to the National Organization for Marriage. Right now a generous donor who is confident we can win the marriage debate has promised to match every dollar NOM raises between now and the end of the year — up to $1 million. If you haven't already, this is a great time to take advantage of this special opportunity.

Send a message to your legislator urging them to reject the redefinition of marriage (House Bill 110). Use this link to easily send your message and make your voice heard in the halls of Springfield. We stopped them this spring... we can do it again — with your help!

Attend the Defend Marriage Day on Wednesday October 23rd at the State House. Our friends at the Illinois Family Institute (IFI) are hosting this event. Join IFI and Illinois families from around the state to take a stand to protect marriage, religious freedom, parental rights and the innocence of our children! Plan to bring your family and friends, AND organize your church to support the second Defend Marriage Lobby Day this year.

Finally, please forward and share this email with as many family and friends as possible. Multiply your voice in Springfield, multiply your presence at the Lobby Day, and multiply your donation by urging like-minded marriage champions to get involved and stand with you.

Church of Scotland May Be Forced to Halt All Weddings if SSM is Legalized

September 13, 2013 – 2:10 pm

I remember sitting with a co-worker in Washington State this time last year marveling, in a not so good way, that our nation is even having a debate about the nature of marriage. Marriage – the institution that crosses all cultural and historical boundaries – that has literally stood the ultimate test of time – and here we are in the western world thinking, “Maybe we should change it?” It’s crazy sad that we are even having the discussion.

St Andrews Cathedral, Scotland But when we contemplate redefining marriage, we must also contemplate a whole host of consequences. And right now, the Kirk (church) of Scotland is having one of those sad crazy discussions as they consider whether they should stop celebrating wedding ceremonies at all – for straight or gays. The Kirk is deeply concerned that if the Scottish government redefines marriage they will have no choice but to stop performing them altogether.

Before you think this is just fear-mongering, remember that in England, a same-sex couple is already suing the Church of England because the church won’t marry them. Or as one of the men said, “I’m not getting what I want.” So I’ll sue Christians.

It is crazy sad that churches have to have these discussions. But when we redefine marriage there are a myriad of known and unknown consequences that we will have to deal with.

Frankly the only answer is to not redefine marriage in the first place.

By Christopher Plante | Posted in Culture, Same Sex Marriage, Scotland, United Kingdom, Washington | Comments Off

Judge Orders Pennsylvania Clerks to Obey State Marriage Law

September 13, 2013 – 1:25 pm

County clerks have no authority to make up their own laws, or decide which they will/will not abide by. A Pennsylvania judge confirmed this yesterday by ordering Montgomery County clerks to desist from illegally issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples (174 had been issued in total).

As our president Brian Brown noted yesterday, Governor Corbett took great leadership on this issue to uphold the law in Montgomery County and stop the potential spread of rogue actions. The question now is whether the governor will be able to have these ‘licenses’ declared invalid and also use his office to push for a vote of the people. Please urge Gov. Corbett to take this crucial step to protect against confusion and lawsuits in the future that may jeopardize marriage in Pennsylvania.

Gavel in Motion

Reuters:

The state's Health Department sued Montgomery County Register of Wills D. Bruce Hanes in August after he began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, following the U.S. Supreme Court's June ruling that the federal government must recognize same-sex unions in states where they are legal.

"A clerk of courts has not been given the discretion to decide that a law ... he or she is charged to enforce is a good idea or bad one, constitutional or not," Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court President Judge Dan Pellegrini wrote in an opinion issued on Thursday. "Only courts have the power to make that decision."

"The key question in this case has been whether any local official, anywhere in Pennsylvania, has the ability to decide which laws to uphold and which laws to reject based on their own personal legal opinion," [Pennsylvania General Counsel James] Schultz said.

Regardless of personal beliefs, ALL elected officials are trusted to respect the rule of law. If the state they represent protects marriage as the union of husband and wife, acknowledging and enforcing that law is their job.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Law, Marriage, Pennsylvania, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

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

September 13, 2013 – 10:17 am

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

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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By NOM Staff | Posted in California, Featured, Press Releases, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

The National Organization for Marriage Applauds Pennsylvania Ruling Upholding the State's Definition of Marriage and Restoring the Rule of Law

September 12, 2013 – 3:58 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 12, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Matille Thebolt (703-683-5004)

"This is a victory for marriage. We are pleased that Judge Pellegrini reiterated that Pennsylvania law expressly defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman." — Brian Brown, NOM President —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, DC — The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) applauded the common sense ruling of Judge Pellegrini today when he ruled that county officials do not have the right to ignore Pennsylvania law and its definition of marriage. NOM has maintained from the beginning that the actions of Montgomery County Register Wills D. Bruce Hanes have been nothing less than lawlessness. In 1996, the Pennsylvania Legislature duly enacted a state definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman that no single state or county official can contravene.

"This is a victory for marriage. We are pleased that Judge Pellegrini reiterated that Pennsylvania law expressly defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman," said Brian Brown, NOM President. "The legislature clearly defined marriage in 1996 for Pennsylvania. Now Pennsylvanians should be given the right to vote and to enact a state constitutional amendment so that there will be no further confusion on this issue."

This case could have national implications as similar questions about the roles and responsibilities of local officials have arisen in New Mexico and in other states. Brown also praised Governor Corbett's decisive action to have his administration intervene and stop the lawlessness in Montgomery County.

"The people of Pennsylvania should be grateful to Governor Corbett for his leadership on this issue," continued Brown. "As the chief executive of the state, he properly used his office to uphold the law and stop the potential spread of these rogue actions. Now we ask that he use the influence of his office to have the 'marriage' licenses that were issued declared invalid."

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