This playlist plays the individual speakers one by one, as well as the introduction and closing remarks by our President Brian Brown:

What's the next step? Signing our citizens petition to the Supreme Court!

Dear Marriage Supporter,

This week, we started something BIG… but we're only getting started!

Click here right away to sign NOM's Marriage Petition to the Supreme Court!

On Tuesday, thousands of people rallied in Washington DC, marching in front of the Supreme Court in support of the true definition of marriage: the exclusive and faithful union of one man and one woman!

NOM brought together a coalition of over 40 groups in support of this effort and it has already made a tremendous impact! We met our opponents on the street in front of the Supreme Court, but thanks to the brave individuals who came out in support of marriage on Tuesday, the UK Daily Mail was able to report that we "easily outnumber[ed] advocates for gay marriage."

See for yourself what an incredible gathering this was by clicking here:

Of course, it took an international newspaper to report these facts.

But you can see the truth for yourself here:

And even on the day of the March, new supporters came on board to voice support for our efforts: right up to the Vatican itself! In a statement from Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, the diversity of ethnicities and faith backgrounds that made up our March was both highlighted and applauded!

This is just one more sign of the incredible momentum the movement to defend marriage is generating world-wide!

Supporter, we will NOT be silenced! I'm proud that NOM can represent your voice and your values despite the efforts of a small, vocal and elite minority to silence us.

We must continue fighting for marriage. Tuesday was not a end in itself… it was just the beginning!

Please continue standing for marriage as we gather as many signatures as we can to present to the Supreme Court in advance of their rulings in the Prop 8 and DOMA cases.

Click here to sign our petition to the Supreme Court today!

May God bless you this Holy Week!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 26, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

National Organization for Marriage Leads Massive March and Rally in Support of Marriage

"A diverse crowd of more than 10,000 marched today to show that those who protect marriage are on the right side of history."
— Brian Brown, NOM president

Washington, D.C. — More than 10,000 pro-marriage citizens from across the country and from every walk of life marched and rallied today peacefully in our nation's capital, rallying at the National Mall and marching to the Supreme Court with two simple messages: "Respect Our Votes!" and "Kids Deserve a Mom and a Dad!"

The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) led a coalition of over 45 organizations featuring over 20 speakers all united in the common purpose of defending marriage between one man one woman while demanding the Supreme Court respect the millions upon millions of Americans who have voted to enact laws protecting marriage in their state constitutions.

Brian Brown, President of NOM said, "A diverse crowd of more than 10,000 marched today to show that those who protect marriage are on the right side of history. The Supreme Court has no right to redefine marriage and roll back the efforts of Americans to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman, the only social arrangement that gives children the mother and father they deserve."

Brown continued: "The fact that our supporters remained peaceful, kneeling in prayer and singing songs and chants even in the face of verbal attacks and intimidation by our opponents is a testament to the respectful way pro-marriage activists carry themselves, even when harassed."

Brian concluded: "Forget the media hype and confusion, our numbers today show that the American people are strongly pro-marriage and pro-marriage Americans aren't going anywhere. This is the beginning of the fight to protect marriage. Our opponents know this, which is why they are hoping the Supreme Court will cut short a debate they know they will ultimately lose if the political process and democracy are allowed to run their course. Those who believe that marriage is the unique and special union of one man and one woman are on the right side of history."

Please visit www.NationforMarriage.org and www.NomBlog.com for photos and videos from the march and rally.

###

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

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

Update -- video now fixed:

We're marching for marriage today from the National Mall to the Supreme Court!

This post contains a slideshow of today's march from the morning rally to the actual march to the Supreme Court. Please check back regularly for new pictures!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you are attending the March, please make sure you have looked over the map of the march route and the schedule!

Dear Marriage Supporter,

There are only a few hours remaining to double your donation in defense of marriage and the faith communities that sustain it!

We're only $25,000 short of our $500,000 goal — will you help us close the gap now?

This is your absolute last chance to contribute and have your contribution doubled:

www.marriagepledge.com

Dear Marriage Supporter,

We march tomorrow! I look forward to being able to stand with you in this historic demonstration. Thank you so much for your dedication to marriage.

Please be sure to double-check www.marriagemarch.org for a copy of our map and schedule to bring along with you tomorrow to DC.

As you may know, just yesterday approximately 1.4 million French citizens marched in Paris to demonstrate their support for marriage as the union of one man and one woman — the SECOND time this year that more than one million people have gathered to stand for marriage in Paris!

What you may not know, is that NOM's marriage march video was shown to the crowds there, and that one of our speakers — Professor Robert Oscar Lopez — was on hand to tell the French marriage heroes about our own upcoming March. Here's what one of the attendees in Paris, a French-American woman, emailed us last night to say:

This pro-marriage movement is growing slowly but surely with people involved, from various ways of life, political backgrounds and associations. The special TGV train reserved for the event, from the cities of Toulon and Marseille, was sold out (1200 seats). Many large families were able to go thanks to donations made by families living much nearer to the capital.

We stood massed along the avenue de la Grande Armée, as well as several other adjacent avenues for nearly three hours....

I was in tears to see the witnessing of one of my American compatriots, the last speaker [Prof. Lopez] who announced the upcoming Marriage March in Washington on March 26th, and the short announcement film for the march was seen by over a million French! The applause and cheering was astounding!

I hope this makes you as excited for tomorrow as it makes me. And it might help to watch our March video again, too:

I can't wait until tomorrow to be a part of this growing international movement to defend marriage. And I can't wait for you to join us!

See you at the March!

SPECIAL NOTE: If you are attending the March, please make sure you have looked over the map of the march route and the schedule!

Dear Marriage Supporter,

We're only one day away from our historic March for Marriage.

And that means we only have 12 hours left to raise the remaining $40,000 toward our $500,000 matching gift goal.

We're so close to reaching our goal!

If you donate immediately, your contribution will automatically DOUBLE, maximizing the impact of your gift for the defense of marriage.

Will you please click here to make an urgent donation of $50, $100, $500, or $1,000 or more knowing that every dollar you give for marriage will be doubled to fund the March and the defense of marriage all across the country?

Can I count on your help in this critical hour?

Dear Marriage Supporter,

In just two short days, the day after tomorrow, I will have the honor of leading a march of thousands in our nation's capitol to the United States Supreme Court.

Please make an emergency donation right away to help us reach our $500,000 matching gift goal.

Remember, if you donate today, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, DOUBLING its impact in the fight to defend marriage!

The upcoming March for Marriage is not an ending, it's a beginning!

NOM will be continuing to fight in the months ahead to make sure politicians, judges and the cultural elites around the country know that the American people believe in marriage as the union of one man and one woman because children have a right to a mother and a father.

This is our winning message that is gaining traction as more voices proclaim its truth!

America is a one part of the global marriage movement. The movement to defend marriage is growing — not only here in the United States where NOM has brought together the broadest coalition of partner organizations ever to participate in this historic march in defense of marriage — but world-wide.

Consider — already this year:

• in France, just over a month ago, I had the honor of participating in a march that saw over a million people pour into the Paris streets to protest their government's unilateral redefinition of marriage — and today, the French were back out in the streets with even greater numbers, still marching for marriage;

• in Puerto Rico, shortly after, almost 200,000 people (on an island with less than 4 million people) showed up to demonstrate their support for true marriage;

• in England, over 600,000 British citizens have signed a petition in support of one man, one woman marriage; and

• in Australia, a judge recently threw out a legal challenge to the country's definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

Perhaps one of the most striking examples came from Argentina in 2010, when Pope Francis, then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, helped turn out hundreds of thousands for a march for marriage and spoke powerfully in defense of marriage against the government's attempt to redefine marriage.

This is a nascent, growing, global movement to protect the sanctity of marriage — which is the only social institution that connects parents and children.

Marriage Supporter, will you stand with this ever expanding coalition of marriage supporters of all faiths, traditions, countries, cultures and backgrounds by making a gift of $35, $50, $100 or $500 or more to NOM today?

Marriage is under attack. But so many good people like you are standing up to defend it. And more are joining us every day! Please stand with NOM once again by supporting our work to protect marriage and the faith communities that sustain it.

We are at the beginning of a new chapter in the movement to protect marriage. Thank you.

Dear Marriage Supporter,

There are only three days left until NOM, our 40+ coalition partners and thousands of marchers descend on the capitol!

And that means there are only three days left for us to realize the entirety of the $500,000 matching gift pledged by a heroic defender of marriage.

As one of NOM's supporters, you have taken action whenever marriage has been threatened and been a part of our regular victories over the "impossible" and "inevitable" same-sex marriage movement. With your help, we have won tremendous victories for marriage in recent years in California, North Carolina, and many other states.

That's why Thursday, USA Today called NOM the "tip of the spear" of the "diverse coalition" of groups dedicated to preserving marriage as the union of one man and one woman. That's why yesterday's New York Times profiled us as fighting with "zeal and strategy."

But now I need to ask you to invest financially in this fight. If everyone reading this email were to give $10, we would easily meet our goal.

Battles are heating up in deep blue states like Illinois, Minnesota and Rhode Island right as the Supreme Court is preparing to hear two landmark cases.

Will you help us by making an immediate donation to help NOM ramp up our efforts to defend marriage in the days leading up to the pending, historic Supreme Court cases next week?

And if you donate right away, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar, DOUBLING the impact and effectiveness of your contribution.

We are only $90,000 short of our goal as of this morning. We have three days to raise that amount and realize the full $500,000 matching gift pledge.

Will you stand with us once again by making a donation right away?

More than ever, marriage needs dedicated champions in the days to come... champions who will stand courageously and faithfully in its defense. Please join me and prove that you are a champion for marriage.

Dear Marriage Supporter,

In a few days, on March 26th, NOM along with over 40 pro-family partners will March for Marriage in our nation's capital.

We are running out of time.

We still have many, many churches that want to organize buses for their congregants to attend the March, but do not have the money to fund them.

Will you give now to help change history? Many generous donors have contributed to the March. But if everyone who receives this email would give something, anything — even $5 or $10 — we would easily have the resources to shape history together.

Won't you please make an immediate, secure, confidential and tax-deductible donation to support this historic undertaking?

We also remain in need of volunteers at the March. Please e-mail marriagemarch@nationformarriage.org if you are interested in volunteering.

But above all else, please forward this email to everyone you know who supports traditional marriage!

You can also use the buttons below to do so:

God bless you!

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Knowing what you know today, what would you do if you could roll back the clock to before the infamous Roe v Wade decision was issued by the Supreme Court?

Would you show up in front of the Supreme Court and make your voice heard?

Well, today it's 1973 for marriage.

And that's why the National Organization for Marriage has brought together the broadest, most extensive coalition of organizations ever (including Catholics Called 2 Witness, CatholicVote.com, The Family Research Council, Concerned Women for America, Focus on the Family and CitizenLink, the Coalition of African American Pastors and many, many more) to make a resounding statement on March 26th by marching for marriage in front of the United States Supreme Court on the day they will be hearing a case that has the potential to become the Roe v Wade for marriage.

And YOU can be a part of it. Even though the March for Marriage is just a few days away, there's still time to sign up — just click here to be a part of this historic march!

Please consider coming to march for marriage next Tuesday and be a part of history. And even if you can't make it, please forward this message to family and friends who may be able to attend (you can use the buttons below).

Together, we can make March 26th a historic day for marriage, showing the world — and our government leaders nationwide —that the American people believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman because children have a right to both a mom and a dad.

Your help is crucial to the success of this important endeavor. This is our time to March for Marriage, to stand up for the rights of future generations to share in this beautiful and time-honored institution and not to have foisted on them a radically reshaped version of it. We need to stand up now — the stakes are just too high to sit on the sidelines.

With all of us doing our part, we will prevail — for marriage, for family, for God and country.

I hope to see you on the 26th!

Dear Marriage Supporter,

We have one week left before the March for Marriage on March 26th. One week to bring together thousands to stand proud and tall for the truth that it takes a man and a woman to make a marriage. One week to make sure that the Supreme Court and Justice Kennedy in particular understand the diversity of our coalition. One week to change history...

But I've got to be honest with you. We are struggling to make sure that everyone has a chance to make history...

Please click here right away to make a confidential, tax-deductible donation of $35, $50, $100, $500 or more to make the March for Marriage an unequivocal success!

We've received many more bus requests from around the country than we can afford. Though Citizen Link, the Thomas More Law Center and the Manhattan Declaration have come to our aid in recent days by financially supporting our efforts to subsidize buses, we still have an enormous financial need to help struggling churches send their congregants to the March from out of town.

I need you to not only give your most generous gift, but also forward this message and urge your friends and family to do the same (you can use the buttons below to pass along this message).

We have an incredibly generous matching pledge of $500,000 up until the March... but we're falling short of the mark. We cannot afford to waste this opportunity! As of today, we have only raised around $300,000 toward our $500,000 goal. Now is the time to take action! Please click here to make your most generous gift in support of the Match for Marriage and help us take advantage of this incredible matching gift opportunity!

Will you help change history in this last week with both your prayer and action... and by giving whatever you can today?

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Why is the National Organization for Marriage organizing a march for Marriage in just over a week?

I'll answer that question by asking you to click here and watch Senator Jim DeMint, President-elect of the Heritage Foundation, talk about the importance of marriage and our upcoming march.

Marriage is at a crossroads in American history. The Supreme Court is hearing two cases next week that could fundamentally alter the legal definition of marriage for our country.

Please help us show the leaders of our nation that the American people stand for marriage — watch this video today.

Also, I hope you will please consider making a generous donation today of $35, $50, $100, $500 or more to help us bring more people to the march.

And, thanks to the matching gift pledge of a very generous donor, every dollar you give to support the march will be matched dollar-for-dollar.

We have an enormous need to help out struggling churches organize buses for their congregations to attend the march... many of them from predominantly African-American and Latino communities. They want the chance to exercise their fundamental civic right to participate in the democratic process. Will you help them do that with a generous gift today?

Just because someone is not blessed with the means doesn't mean they shouldn't have a voice just like everyone else.

Marriage is at a critical juncture and it needs heroic citizens to stand up and defend it. Please help us today. Click here to watch Senator DeMint speak up for marriage and please consider making a generous, tax-deductible donation today.

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Last week, the AP wrote an article (not picked up by most major news outlets, of course) about Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy's speech at the dedication of a federal courthouse library in Sacramento, CA being named in his honor.

In it, he said that major policies in a democracy should not depend "on what nine unelected people from a narrow legal background have to say."

I cannot emphasize enough how incredibly good this news is!

Proposition 8 and DOMA will be up for review in cases at the Supreme Court in just a couple of weeks. And NOM, along with our coalition of partners, will be there with marriage supporters from all across the country — marching outside the courthouse to reinforce the idea that the American people have something to say about marriage... that marriage is between one man and one woman because children have a right to a mother and a father!

But we need your help to give proper voice to the grassroots body of citizens and voters who agree with you and me on this issue. Please click here to make a donation of $35, $50, $100 or even $500 right away to help NOM organize the grassroots and turn them out to March for Marriage!

And, thanks to our generous donor, every dollar you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar!

Our most pressing need is to provide the logistical support that so many financially struggling churches desperately need to enable their congregations — many of them predominantly African-American and Latino — the chance to exercise their fundamental right to participate in the democratic process.

• For a gift of $20, you and I can help enable one out-of-town marriage supporter to attend the March.

• For $40, we can subsidize two additional marchers.

• And for $100, we can bring 5 marchers to Washington who otherwise couldn't afford to come!

In the past two weeks we have been overwhelmed with requests from volunteers hoping to organize and activate their local communities to attend the March.

But they need our help!

So, please, consider making an urgent, tax-deductible donation today to help bring marriage supporters who deserve a chance to attend the March whatever their financial situation.

Just because someone is not blessed with the means doesn't mean they shouldn't have a voice just like everyone else.

Marriage is at a pivotal time. You and I need to put everything we have into defending it. We cannot afford to look back and wonder whether or not we did everything possible to ensure the most fundamental institution of society received the best defense possible... the defense it deserves.

Help us make sure everyone marriage supporter who wants to show up is able to do so.

Thank you.

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Great news: The preparations for the March for Marriage are going incredibly well!

In fact, the requests we've received from spiritual leaders has been overwhelming. We have received requests from churches for 100 buses that we don't have the funds to assist. That's thousands — many of them from Latino and African-American communities — who want to attend the march but are having trouble pulling together the necessary funds.

That's why I'm making this emergency appeal on behalf of these excited pro-marriage people who want to attend the March.

Please click here to make a confidential, tax-deductible donation right away to help us subsidize 100 buses to bring marchers to Washington DC so they can make their voices heard in front of the Supreme Court and on the National Mall!

Each full bus will bring over 50 people and require a subsidy of around $1,000. That means:

Your gift today of $20 will bring another marcher to Washington DC from out of town.

Your gift of $40 will bring 2 additional marriage supporters to the march.

Your gift of $100 will bring 5 additional marriage supporters to the march.

And a gift of $500 will cover half the costs of an entire bus!

I know that some of you reading this email can give a lot more than that. Please realize that for every $1,000 you donate today, you will be responsible for bringing an entire bus full of marriage supporters and activists to the march at the Supreme Court on March 26th so they can make their voices heard loud and clear at the exact time the most important court case of our generation is under consideration.

Just because someone is not blessed with the means doesn't mean they shouldn't have a voice just like everyone else.

So please make a generous, tax-deductible donation today to help make the March for Marriage an unequivocal success!

We need to send the strongest message possible to the political, academic and media elites of our great nation: marriage is between one man and one woman because children deserve a mother and a father!

At this moment, marriage needs courageous and self-sacrificing heroes to stand up and defend it. Please give as generously as possible to help NOM give eager and willing marriage supporters in America like you the chance to make their voices heard so their values can be respected. Thank you.

The percentage of U.S. adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) ranges from 1.7% in North Dakota to 5.1% in Hawaii and 10% in the District of Columbia, according to Gallup surveys conducted from June-December 2012. Residents in the District of Columbia were most likely to identify as LGBT (10%). Among states, the highest percentage was in Hawaii (5.1%) and the lowest in North Dakota (1.7%), but all states are within two percentage points of the nationwide average of 3.5%.

One person said: "Marriage March is on a TUESDAY. How PRO-marriage are you? Are you willing to rearrange your schedule to attend this event? Would you choose to drive or fly? Would you spend the night or pop in, pop out? I attended Glenn Beck's "Restore Honor" Rally a few years ago, my first time to ever visit our nation's capital. It was an experience I'll never forget. Married 36 years in July, perhaps we'll take an early anniversary trip to DC!"

A second said: "Lord willing count [us] in. We can definitely do that."

A third: "Looking at the calendar here and going to re-arrange to BE THERE!!"

A fourth: "This is Holy Week, still Lent. I don't like to travel, but I'm willing to do this as part of my Lenten Sacrifice, if I can find others to go with me. I'll start looking right away."

A fifth: "COUNT ME IN!"

Can we count you in? Sign up for more info today at www.MarriageMarch.org!

Gallaudet University has reinstated its chief diversity officer after a 3-month paid suspension for signing a petition circulated by opponents of gay marriage in Maryland.
University President T. Alan Hurwitz announced the reinstatement of Angela McCaskill in an email to the campus community on Monday. The statement doesn't elaborate on the reasons for the reinstatement, and university officials declined further comment.

Gallaudet is the nation's leading university for the deaf and hard of hearing, and the Washington campus has a prominent gay community. McCaskill was placed on leave in October after administrators became aware that she had signed the petition. The petition drive led to a referendum on gay marriage in Maryland, where McCaskill lives. Voters upheld the law, and same-sex couples began marrying in the state this month.

“I am not anti-gay. I never have been and I never will be,” says McCaskill. (AP)

"The step that [the National Cathedral] has taken ... is directly in violation of international Anglican law and the Book of Common Prayer. So they can do this if they want but redefining marriage to be something it was never understood to be is going to have dramatic consequences both in this country and in their church."

Watch the rest of his appearance below:

"...The conservative National Organization for Marriage, which opposes same-sex marriage, said the cathedral's change was "disappointing but not surprising," given the direction of the Episcopal Church.

"The message here is that conservative Episcopalians are being pushed out," said spokesman Thomas Peters.

In light of the cathedral's national prominence, Peters called the marriage announcement "an opportunity for people to wake up to what's happening."

"It reminds us that marriage is really an all or nothing deal," he said. "Does America want to retain its marriage tradition or fundamentally give it up?" (AP)

"...In light of the legality of same-sex marriage in the District of Columbia and now Maryland, the Rt. Rev. Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal bishop of Washington, decided in December to allow an expansion of the Christian marriage sacrament. The diocese covers the district and four counties in Maryland. The change is allowed under a "local option" granted by the church's General Convention, church leaders said. Each priest in the diocese can then decide whether to perform same-sex unions.

...The House of Bishops voted last year 111-41 to authorize a provisional rite for same-sex unions. Some congregations have left the church over its inclusion of gays and lesbians over the years." (AP)

Examples like this remind us that when you redefine "civil" marriage you create the new possibility of same-sex ceremonies in churches. Gay marriage advocates love to artificially split these two recognitions of marriage when they think it suits their purposes but the categories always re-collapse as soon as a liberal church like this one decides it wants to conduct ceremonies with same-sex partners.

The simplest way to prevent same-sex ceremonies in churches is to fight for the recognition of marriage in civil law.

Many conservative Episcopalians have already left this denomination for other Christian churches that have retained their marriage tradition -- Episcopalian attendance is down 16% in the last decade alone. Mainline protestant denominations, including Methodists, Presbyterians and the worldwide Anglican communion have retained their marriage tradition, especially because the areas where Anglicanism are growing fastest in Africa and Asia, the congregations are strongly pro-marriage.

Some may see this as the Episcopalian church attempting to become even more progressive, but religion analysts such as Rob Kerby, the Senior Editor at Belief.net have asked if moves like this might signal the near collapse and "meltdown of liberal Christianity".

"Clergy and supporters for Dr McCaskill rallying for her prompt reinstatement and everyone's right to participate in our democratic processes."

Gallaudet University's rash decision to place its chief diversity officer on paid administrative leave because she signed the petition that put Maryland's same-sex marriage law on the ballot next month is a dismaying example of political correctness run amok. But it also exposes the same kind of intimidation and coercion quietly lurking behind a facade of "fairness" and "toleration" that reared its ugly head in California four years ago over voter-approved Proposition 8.

Maggie Gallagher, a former president of the National Organization for Marriage, zeroed in on this anomaly last week, writing on National Review's blog: "Nobody that I know is losing his job for being for gay marriage." Indeed, the shabby treatment of Dr. Angela McCaskill is more proof that the Tolerance Lobby does not tolerate dissent -- even among its own card-carrying members.

... McCaskill, who lives in Maryland, says she signed the petition at the suggestion of her pastor because she believes in the democratic process. So her removal from her job at the federally-chartered D.C. university was clearly an act of retaliation for exercising her First Amendment rights.

Gay marriage proponents have tried very hard to reassure Marylanders that the new law will not force clerics to perform gay weddings or otherwise participate in ceremonies forbidden by their faith. But McCaskill's removal for merely signing a petition make these vague reassurances even less credible than before...

... McCaskill's pastor says her dismissal is "a warning of what is to come if same-sex marriage becomes law in Maryland." And MDPetitions.com founder Del. Neil Parrott, R-District 28, plans to reintroduce a bill to protect people like her -- and the 200,000 other Marylanders who signed the petition as individual voters. If Marylanders didn't face the very real threat of political retaliation, they wouldn't need such protection.

Learn more at the Maryland Marriage Alliance website.

"...Signing that petition is a right that I have as a citizen of the state of Maryland. It simply means that I want to see this very sensitive issue put on the ballot as a referendum in the state of Maryland,” McCaskill said. 

Her attorney, J. Wyndal Gordon, says McCaskill will not express her personal view on the matter. He says she will do that in the voting booth.

Gordon says McCaskill “is considering all options, and not ruling out taking legal action,” hoping to get reinstated at Gallaudet.

After learning of McCaskill’s signature on the petition – published by The Washington Blade – an anonymous faculty member filed an official complaint with the University. Now, McCaskill says she feels bullied and she wishes this conflict never happened.

“I feel bad for our students because they go to the university and they look to us for guidance and I feel that we have failed them,” she said. “It’s been very hurtful… because I have nothing but love and support for everyone. And to have this tarnishing my name, my reputation, my character, it hurts.”"

"...Last week President T. Alan Hurwitz said in a statement that given McCaskill’s job description, signing the petition was an act that “some feel is inappropriate.” On Tuesday morning, Hurwitz released another statement to clarify that he wants McCaskill to return to campus after her paid administrative leave, resolve this matter and continue as chief diversity officer. McCaskill is scheduled to hold a press conference at 2 p.m. Tuesday in Annapolis."

The beginning of his statement reads:

“I am sending this communication to indicate forcefully that Gallaudet University would like to work with its Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Angela McCaskill, to enable her to return to the community from her administrative leave.

As many know, Dr. McCaskill exercised her right to sign a petition concerning legislation on gay marriage. Because of her position at Gallaudet as our Chief Diversity Officer, many individuals at our university were understandably concerned and confused by her action. They wanted to know ‘does that action interfere with her ability to perform her job?’

I placed her on paid administrative leave as a prudent action to allow the university -- and Dr. McCaskill - the time to consider this question after the emotions of first reactions subsided. While this has become an issue beyond our campus, as President of Gallaudet University, my number one concern is our university community - our students, faculty and staff and so many others who support us. I act on their behalf, not with any agenda other than their well-being as all of us work to prepare these university students for the future. While I expect that a resolution of this matter can be reached that will enable Dr. McCaskill to continue as our Chief Diversity Officer, this will require that she and the University community work together to respond to the concerns that have been raised."

Gallaudet University's chief diversity officer is scheduled to discuss her views about being placed on leave for signing a petition to put Maryland's same-sex marriage law on the ballot for voters to decide.

Angela McCaskill, of Upper Marlboro, is scheduled to speak in Annapolis on Tuesday. J. Wyndal Gordan, an attorney for McCaskill, says she is not "anti-gay."

He says she only signed the petition because she believes the issue should be settled by the democratic process.

Voters will be deciding whether to allow same-sex marriage in Maryland in November.

Gallaudet is the nation's leading university for the deaf and the hard of hearing. McCaskill was placed on leave last week.

“Dr McCaskill’s decision to sign the petition does not automatically declare her support for or against same-sex marriage. It merely indicates that she wants to see the decision made by the people and not the legislature. But if her employer is able to restrict her right to engage in the petition-gathering phase of democracy, are they also allowed to enter the voting booth and dictate how she votes?

“Unfortunately, this is only the latest in a long list of attacks on individuals who express support for marriage as a union between one man and one woman. If such attacks can be made before same-sex marriage is law, how can homosexual activists in good faith say that religious liberties will not be attacked if Question 6 passes?”

A Gallaudet University diversity officer suspended for signing the Maryland marriage referendum petition could have grounds for a lawsuit because the actions violate D.C.'s public policy, a leading law professor on speech rights said today.

Had a D.C. referendum been at issue, Gallaudet University President T. Alan Hurwitz's actions today placing chief diversity officer Dr. Angela McCaskill on administrative leave because she "participated in a legislative initiative " could even have constituted a criminal violation, UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh told BuzzFeed.

Under the D.C. Code, it is a criminal violation for "[a]ny person who ... by threats or intimidation, interferes with, or attempts to interfere with, the right of any qualified registered elector to sign or not to sign any initiative, referendum, or recall petition." The sentence for violating the provision can be up to a $10,000 fine and a year in prison.

In a recent article Volokh published in the Texas Review of Law & Politics, he wrote about whether general bans on "threats" apply to threats of loss of employment, noting that "in similar statutes, the terms 'threats,' 'intimidation,' and 'coercion' have indeed been interpreted to include threat of economic retaliation."

Because a Maryland law — and not a D.C. law — is at issue in the referendum, however, the D.C. Code's criminal provision is not directly implicated. But, it could indirectly apply to McCaskill's suspension through a civil lawsuit in which she seeks money or reinstatement.

"...So why hasn't the [FRC] shooter been charged with a hate crime?

The Family Research Council opposes hate crimes laws, but that should have nothing to do with whether a law on the books gets enforced equally. Bias crimes are based on the theory that the victims of a bias crime are not just the individual harmed, but all others in the class intended to be terrorized by the crime.

Is political pressure in liberal D.C. keeping the police from enforcing the law?

I ask this question in part for a personal reason. The FRC shooting came a week after a package addressed to me personally showed up in the National Organization for Marriage offices filled with feces and hate and used condoms. (I have stepped down from the NOM board, but apparently the guy who dropped off the package isn't keeping up with the latest.)

According to NOM office workers who were there at the time, the police wanted to investigate it as a potential hate crime. The police LGBT hate crimes division was called to the scene (odd, because obviously the hatred thus expressed against me and NOM was not directed at LGBT people) and told the cops not to investigate it as a hate crime. The cops tried to argue with them, but no deal.

In at least two instances, to my direct knowledge, a crime directed at a person or organization who opposes gay marriage was not investigated by D.C. cops as a bias crime.

A nasty package is a minor event. A shooter who intended mass murder is deadly serious.

Together they make up a pattern.

Do we have to wait for a third incident before the police of the District of Columbia, which is ultimately controlled by Congress, act to make sure the laws are enforced equally for all?" -- TownHall

The head of a second Christian conservative organization said Friday she was told by authorities that a note containing her group's contact information was found in the pocket of a man charged with opening fire at the Washington offices of another such group, wounding a security guard.

Traditional Values Coalition President Andrea Lafferty said FBI agents visited her group's Capitol Hill offices hours after the Wednesday morning shooting as part of their investigation. The next day, she said, members of the Joint Terrorism Task Force came by and confirmed that "our information was in his pocket," including the location of the group's offices.

"I was stunned," Lafferty told The Associated Press, adding that she believes her group may have been targeted.

... Like the FRC, the Traditional Values Coalition has supported the president of Chick-Fil-A and his staunch opposition to same-sex marriage.

Tony Perkins, who heads the Family Research Council, hinted Thursday at a news conference that the FRC was not the only group targeted, although he did not elaborate.

"Maybe, going forward, you may find out more information that we may not have been the only one," he said.

"The National Organization for Marriage, which has actively campaigned against same-sex marriage efforts, also condemned what it termed an attack on the Family Research Council."

The Wall Street Journal:

"Elizabeth Ray, a spokeswoman for the National Organization for Marriage, said the group increased security at its Washington, D.C., offices after the shooting, as did similar groups at the state level."

CNN:

The Associated Press:

Though authorities did not publicly reveal a motive, advocacy groups across the ideological spectrum condemned the violence, with some casting it as a hate crime.

"Today's attack is the clearest sign we've seen that labeling pro-marriage groups as `hateful' must end," Brian Brown, the president of the National Organization for Marriage, said in a statement.

Religion News Service:

The FRC’s strong stance against gay marriage and abortion have led some to question the motive for the crime. The National Organization for Marriage quickly condemned the attack and suggested the shooting may have come in response to characterizations of the FRC as “hateful.”

The Daily Caller:

“Today’s attack is the clearest sign we’ve seen that labeling pro-marriage groups as ‘hateful’ must end,” NOM president Brian Brown said in a statement. “The Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the Family Research Council a ‘hate group’ for its pro-marriage views, and less than a day ago the Human Rights Campaign issued a statement calling FRC a ‘hate group’ — they even specified that FRC hosts events in Washington, DC, where today’s attack took place.”

David C. Friedman, ADL's Washington, DC Regional Director, issued the following statement:

FRC shooter Floyd Corkins

The use of violence against an individual or organization because of a disagreement with their beliefs, values, or policy positions is unacceptable and indefensible.    Free speech – no matter who the speaker is, no matter how offensive or objectionable the speech, is one of the foundation principles of our nation.

We are confident that the Metropolitan Police Department will fully investigate this crime.  If the facts reveal that the perpetrator was motivated by unlawful bias, law enforcement authorities should consider prosecution under the D.C. Bias Crime Statute

Bias or hate crime statutes have been adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia. Many of those laws are based on a model statue crafted by the ADL, which has long been in the forefront of national and state efforts to deter and counter act hate-motivated criminal activity.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

Family Research Council President Tony Perkins made the following comments after an FRC security guard was shot this morning:

“The police are investigating this incident. Our first concern is with our colleague who was shot today. Our concern is for him and his family.”

The Washington Post is updating this story as more information becomes available.

In a little noticed development, D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At-Large) introduced a bill in October that would allow same-sex couples who marry in D.C. but live in states that don’t recognize their marriage to return to the District to get a divorce.

Supporters say the bill, the Civil Marriage Dissolution Equality Amendment Act of 2011, is needed because states that don’t recognize same-sex marriage have no legal mechanism to issue a divorce to gay or lesbian couples who wish to dissolve their D.C. marriage through a divorce.

Under the city’s existing marriage law, which allows same-sex couples to marry, one or both parties to a same-sex marriage performed in D.C. would have to become a city resident for six months before the city would grant the couple a divorce.

...[The District of Columbia] Council testimony and media reports during consideration of the modern marriage bill touted extraordinary local economic benefits to come once gay and lesbian couples were permitted to marry in Washington.

Unfortunately, although no commercial benefit was — or should be — required to justify the expansion of the civil right to marry, those projections have proven overstated and the level of anticipated revenue for local businesses has not materialized.

The shortfall is due to both unrealistic economic forecasting by some marriage equality advocates and a notably lower number of same-sex marriages performed in the District than projected.

In response to a recent “Orthodox” same-sex marriage ceremony conducted in Washington, D.C. by Rabbi Steve Greenberg, – who is openly gay, and married Yoni Bock and Ron Kaplan at the 6th & I Synagogue in Washington in November – over 100 Orthodox Rabbis – among them some of the most prominent rabbinic figures in the Orthodox Jewish world, including Rabbi Hershel Schachter and Rabbi Hershel Reichman of Yeshiva University and Rabbi Elie Abadie of the Safra Synagogue – issued a statement declaring that, “By definition, a union that is not sanctioned by Torah law is not an Orthodox wedding, and by definition a person who conducts such a ceremony is not an Orthodox rabbi.”

They also dispelled any doubt over possible flexibility on the matter in the future, writing, “We strongly object to this desecration of Torah values and to the subsequent misleading reportage…the public should not be misled into thinking that Orthodox Jewish values on this issue can change, are changing, or might someday change…any claims to the contrary are inaccurate and false.”

Tune in to Catholic Matters tomorrow, Tuesday, September 27, 2011 at 8 am. It's a great way to begin your day! We'll be speaking with Rick Kramer, the Associate Director of the Office of Evangelization and Family Life at the Archdiocese of Washington about a marriage summit this weekend. The one day conference, titled "Tackling the Tough Questions: Is Forever Possible?" covers just about every aspect of marriage, from dating to what it takes to make marriage last and even how to cope with failed marriages. The political debates over marriage are also topics that will be addressed.

Overwhelmingly adopted by Congress in 1996, and signed into law by President Clinton, DOMA has been under increasing attacks in recent months, as bills in both the House and Senate seek to repeal the law, President Obama has openly advocated for its repeal, and earlier this year, the Obama administration announced that it would no longer defend the law in court.

On the docket to testify in defense of marriage are national experts including Ed Whelan of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, Tom Minnery from Focus on the Family, and Austin Nimocks from the Alliance Defense Fund.

Due to the large crowds expected, the hearing has been moved to Room 216 in the Hart Senate Office Building tomorrow morning, beginning at 9:45am. If you can possibly come, please do, and bring a friend to help fill the room with marriage supporters. You'll want to come early (no later than 8am) to be sure you get a seat.

Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on S.598
Wednesday, July 20, 2011 at 9:45am
Hart Senate Office Building, Room 216
Constitution Avenue and 2nd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002

Jim Jordan, chairman of the 176-member Republican Study Committee, is leading an effort by conservatives to press House leaders for floor votes in opposition to gay marriage.

“We want to advance marriage. That’s the pledge. Our party should be all about defending marriage as it has always been defined,” he said.

"Georgene Rice of KPDQ-FM interviews Maggie Gallagher with the National Organization for Marriage in California. She discusses the Supreme Court’s recent decision to deny an appeal to the D.C. same-sex marriage decision. They discuss whether it was a procedural decision or if it goes to the merits of the question of same-sex marriage. She also outlines the other defense of marriage actions that are being considered in the courts all across the nation."

The Charter granted to residents of D.C. by Congress gives them a right to pass laws via referendum.  The City Council has refused to permit the people to vote on marriage, which they say is now part of the human rights code. Can the legislature (city council) overturn a right given in a state constitution (the Charter)?  That's the legal question.

Well, actually he focused primarily on Cathlics for Equality's plan to organize "inside churches" to combat the authority of Catholic bishops and to rat out priests who speak up for the Church's teachings on marriage.  Family Research Council and now Catholic.org have picked up his email, which allows us to share it with you.  Tom Peters calls Catholics for Equality "a dangerous and unprecendented threat to the Church." Read more here, and tell us what you think.

And support Maggie at this event in person or online if you can.

EVENT DETAILS:
Wednesday, December 8
7:30 – 10:30pm
Georgetown University Intercultural Center Auditorium (ICC)
37th and O Sts, NW
Washington, DC
Details on Facebook

"Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by a father and mother, a single father, two fathers, a step father, a grandfather, or caring guardian.  We owe a special debt of gratitude for those parents serving in the United States Armed Forces and their families, whose sacrifices protect the lives and liberties of all American children.  For the character they build, the doors they open, and the love they provide over our lifetimes, all our fathers deserve our unending appreciation and admiration."

Full text of Presidential Proclamation.

Dear Friends of Marriage,

Join us Tuesday at 9am in front of the DC Court of Appeals as we rally for marriage!

On Tuesday morning, the Court of Appeals will be hearing the appeal in the DC Marriage Initiative case. As the media covers the arguments inside, NOM is joining Bishop Harry Jackson (also lead plaintiff in the case) and the Stand4Marriage DC team in calling on all marriage supporters to come together in a public display of support for marriage and for the rights of DC voters.

Join us for this historic event, as our coalition comes together across all racial, religious, and party lines to affirm the importance of marriage. Help support the African-American pastors and voters who have taken the lead in this important civil rights struggle to protect marriage and the voting rights of DC citizens. Over the past months, NOM has been contributing to Democratic city council candidates willing to stand for marriage, and on Tuesday Democrats and Republicans alike will come together in common cause to protect marriage. 

Please join us!

We will gather at 9am outside the DC Court of Appeals (430 E St. NW), just four blocks west of Union Station and around the corner from the Judiciary Square Metro station. I will be joining Bishop Jackson and others in speaking at the event, as we fight to protect marriage in our nation's capital.

We'll be there throughout the morning until around 2pm, with a press conference at 1pm following the hearing. So if you can't make it at 9, please stop by over your lunch hour or in the early afternoon!

We need you there -- and wear white!

Where: DC Court of Appeals, 430 E St. NW, Washington DC
When:  Tuesday, May 4, at 9:00am
Who:    You! 

If you believe the citizens of DC should have the right ot vote on same-sex marriage, we need you on Tuesday!  And please help spread the word to your friends and family. I know it's a work day, but if you can possibly arrange your schedule to be there, even for just a few minutes, please do.

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

Dear Friends of Marriage,

Late Wednesday night, the Senate went on record on marriage, rejecting an amendment introduced by Utah Senator Bob Bennett and refusing to block same-sex marriage in our nation's capital by a vote of 59-36.

All but two of the 38 Republican senators present voted for the Bennett amendment, while all 57 Democrats voted to block the measure (as they did every amendment to the health care reconciliation bill proposed last night).  The amendment would have suspended the DC same-sex marriage law pending a referendum allowing DC voters to resolve the question.

Ironically, the only two Republicans to join with the Democrats in opposing the amendment were Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine, where just six months ago voters used the referendum process to reject a same-sex marriage bill passed by the Maine legislature.

Fifty-nine U.S. Senators are now on record allowing same-sex marriage in our nation's capital and refusing to protect the Charter rights of District residents.

Although disappointing, this outcome was not unexpected, and we are grateful for the hard work of Senator Bob Bennett of Utah, and of the Senate GOP leadership, in gaining the floor vote and putting the entire Senate on record on marriage. We're optimistic that the Supreme Court will ultimately vindicate the rights of DC residents to vote on an initiative on same-sex marriage, but today it's important that our voices continue to be heard in Washington.

Let your senators know you're watching their vote! Send your message today!

We've set up an online action center that will allow you to send letters to your senators based on their vote. Those who voted to protect marriage in the District will receive a thank-you letter urging them to stand strong, while those who refused to protect marriage will be reminded that you care about marriage and will remember their vote on this amendment.

We've drafted sample messages that you can customize and send. It only takes 5 minutes to let your senators know this issue is important to their constituents. Click here to send your message right now.

Thank you for all you do to protect marriage. Please forward this message to friends and family who can join us in making an impact in Washington. 

Faithfully, 

Brian S. Brown
Executive Director
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

P.S.: Your generosity allows us to keep up the fight for marriage all across the country. Please click here to make a secure online contribution today!

Details here.

Dear Friends of Marriage,

I need your help today. The Senate is expected to vote as early as this afternoon on the DC Marriage Referendum.

We need to take action NOW! Click here to send an email to your senators, urging them to vote in favor of the Bennett Amendment on DC Marriage Referendum.

For weeks, we've been working to get a vote on the DC Marriage Referendum. And Senator Bob Bennett has championed the cause -- pushing for a floor vote that will put the entire Senate on record on marriage. We have just a short window of time. Please take action now!

The Bennett amendment will be offered as amendment #3568 to the health care reconciliation package during the "vote-o-rama" period expected to begin this afternoon. During the reconciliation vote-o-rama, senators have wide latitude to introduce amendments. Each amendment receives 2 minutes of debate (1 minute per side) and then a vote. This process can go on for several days, until no senator rises to offer further amendment. We are told that GOP leadership will prioritize the Bennett amendment for action this afternoon or tomorrow.

Your action is critical today. Click here to take action! Although passage of the Bennett amendment is unlikely given the fact that Democratic leadership is committed to passing the reconciliation bill with few or no changes, this is an important opportunity to put every Senator on record with respect to marriage.

The DC Charter guarantees District residents the right to vote on important matters by referendum or initiative. The District Council has acted repeatedly to limit the people's constitutional right to referendum and initiative, first creating a statutory rule that referenda and initiatives may not be brought to a vote if they would "authorize discrimination" under the District Human Rights Act, and then concluding that the marriage initiative is discriminatory.

Clearly marriage is not discriminatory - in fact DC law did not even permit same-sex marriage at the time the first initiative measure was filed to maintain the status quo. But even if the marriage referendum did violate the Human Rights Act, the Council cannot simply adopt ordinances that revoke rights guaranteed by the Charter. The people of the District are guaranteed the right to vote on marriage - a right that has been repeatedly trampled by the DC Council.

Click here to send your Senators a message today. Tell them to protect the rights of DC voters by voting yes on the Bennett Amendment on DC Marriage Referendum.

The issue before the Congress is not even whether same-sex marriage should be legalized in the District, but whether the Home Rule Charter should be enforced, guaranteeing the people of the District their right to decide the issue for themselves, just as voters in 31 states have similarly done. This is exactly the type of oversight Congress should be doing in the District - reining in an out-of-control District Council.

After sending your emails, please take a moment to forward this message to friends and family. Our most important asset in this fight is the number of Americans all across the country who are determined to protect marriage! Help get the word out by sending this email to three friends today!

Everything moves fast in vote-o-rama. But our Senators need to know that we are watching, and will remember in November, how they vote on the DC Marriage Referendum.

Faithfully, 

Brian S. Brown
Executive Director
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
bbrown@nationformarriage.org

P.S.: Your generous donations allow us to keep up the fight for marriage all across the nation. Please click here to make a secure online gift today!