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Monthly Archives: September 2013

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

Lawless

September 24, 2013 – 11:15 am

Dear Marriage Supporter:

Lawless. That's what we, as a nation, are dangerously close to becoming. And the really scary part? This is by design.

The alarming new trends in the marriage fight, based on devious tactics being employed by same-sex 'marriage' activists, are nothing short of breathtaking in their audacity.

And that's why I need you to make a financial investment in NOM today.

A generous and sacrificial donor, who believes we can win this fight, has set up a new $1,000,000 matching grant — so every dollar you give today will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $1 MILLION. That's right — your gift will be DOUBLED to help in this fight!

Would you consider making an investment in NOM right away, to help us combat the radical lawlessness sweeping the nation and ensure that we have the resources we need to expand our efforts to defend marriage?

I've written to you about it before... the IRS... the courts... government bureaucrats... state human rights commissions... election boards... these are the preferred vehicles (along with complicit state attorneys general and activist judges) that the far left is using to circumvent the will of voters — "We the People" — and impose their radical agenda on you and me.

Why? Because gay 'marriage' activists know that the majority of Americans believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman! The majority will never go along with their radical social experiment.

But it only takes one rogue judge, one vote on a court panel, or one manipulative public official in an administration to force the redefinition of marriage on a whole state or nation.

We've won some recent victories enforcing the rule of law. For example, a judge in Pennsylvania has ordered a local clerk to stop issuing "marriage" licenses to same-sex couples in violation of state law.

But the effort sometimes resembles the game "whack-a-mole" — as soon as we win somewhere, a rogue official pops up somewhere else. Now another local government official in Pennsylvania is encouraging couples with illegal marriage licenses to come to his jurisdiction to get "married" even though the law prohibits it and the courts have ordered the lawlessness to stop.

Supporter, you know that NOM will NOT give up the fight... we will stand with you and the millions of marriage champions across the country... but we need your help to reach more and more people and voice your values in the public square and halls of power across our nation.

Won't you please respond right now by clicking this link and investing in NOM's work with your most generous, emergency contribution of $25, $50, $100, $500 or even $1,000 if you can afford it?

Among so many other battles — against the IRS, in the halls of Congress, etc. — we are working furiously in the legislatures of Illinois and New Jersey, and now Hawaii, to prevent a redefinition of marriage in the closing months of this year.

In each of these states, our opponents are amassing millions of dollars to spend against us. But we remain hopeful that gay 'marriage' can be stopped in its tracks — because our work on grassroots activism is having a definite impact.

Already in Illinois our efforts have resulted in gay-marriage activists openly questioning whether they can win this fall like they expected. This is the same group that claimed they already had the votes earlier in the year, but we helped stop them. Their comments show that we can do it again! We cannot give up the fight or let off the pressure. The voices of Illinois marriage champions at the grassroots level are making a difference — now is the time to increase them!

It's imperative that we continue to work in concert with allies to help organize a vibrant grassroots defense of marriage and inundate lawmakers in these states with appeals to preserve marriage as God designed it.

But the fact is we need your sacrificial gift today to mobilize the grassroots base of marriage supporters in these states in order to prevail. Through God's grace, a major donor will immediately match your donation, and we can deploy these resources where they are most needed.

And, as we look to next year, we expect at least three and maybe as many as SIX OR SEVEN state initiatives to be on the ballot in November 2014.

Indiana, behind the strong leadership of Governor Mike Pence, will likely have a marriage amendment before the people of the Hoosier State, and we're committed to help pass it. In Oregon and Ohio homosexual 'marriage' activists will attempt to overturn existing marriage amendments already passed by the people. The same type of measure is being threatened in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado and Florida.

Wherever those who wish to redefine marriage are active, we must respond with a vigorous defense. We know our opponents will be committing TENS of millions of dollars to these fights.

But one generous donor on our side has laid down a challenge to you and me: if we raise $1 million dollars before the end of the year and he will match it dollar–for–dollar! Whatever you give, it will be doubled!

I need your help protecting marriage and restoring the rule of law. Please give generously and remember: your gift today will be matched up to $1 million.

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown

P.S. We don't need to match the other side dollar-for-dollar. You see, we have 3 critical things working for us: God, the truth, and the majority of the American people! But we do need the resources to get our message out and stand up to the absurd claims and lawless actions undertaken by same-sex 'marriage' proponents.

Every single dollar you donate today will be matched by a heroic marriage supporter. Please help us take advantage of this amazing and generous opportunity by making your most generous contribution to NOM today. Thank you!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, 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

Something We Can All Agree On

September 20, 2013 – 2:45 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Yesterday, Representative Raúl Labrador (R-Id.) announced important new legislation which he will be presenting to Congress with a large bi-partisan coalition of co-sponsors: H.R. 3133, the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act.

In a press release announcing the new legislation, co-sponsoring Representative Steve Scalise (R-La.) explained the significance of this bill in the wake of the Supreme Court's June decision to overturn part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):

[T]he Supreme Court's ruling on marriage may embolden those in government who want to impose their views of marriage on faith-based organizations. We need this strong legislation to protect freedom of conscience for those who believe marriage is the union of one man and one woman. [Rep. Labrador's] bill does exactly that, ensuring respect and tolerance for those who affirm traditional marriage.

Along with the National Organization for Marriage, the bill enjoys the full support of several national pro-family and faith-based groups, including Heritage Action, Family Research Council, Focus on the Family, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, among many others!

The Marriage and Religious Freedom Act already has a strong, bi-partisan coalition of support, with over 60 initial co-sponsors. As Representative Labrador explains, "Regardless of your ideology, we can all agree about the importance of religious liberty in America…. This is not a Republican or Democrat issue."

I hope you take the few minutes required to take this important action step today. And when you're done contacting your Representative in the House, please use the buttons below to email this critical message with your family and friends or to share it on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you for continuing to stand with us in defense of marriage and the faith communities that sustain it!

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, 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

A True Conservative Hero Needs Your Help!

September 19, 2013 – 5:40 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Twenty years ago, a young U.S. Marine Corps Officer took an oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States." He put his life on the line in an honorable career to protect our liberty and all the freedoms we hold dear. Today, he is a Republican candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 52nd district.

Kirk Jorgensen urgently needs your help before the September 30th FEC filing deadline... because not only is he fighting against California Democrats... he is fighting against the pro-abortion, pro-gay 'marriage' RINO, Carl DeMaio for his own party's nomination!

We cannot sit this one out!

This race is about so much more than an individual seat in Congress. It is a microcosm of the struggle for control of the Republican Party. GOP establishment and RINO backers are marshaling support for DeMaio in an effort to take the party in a new direction — a direction that abandons life, marriage and family!

Supporter, you and I must hold the liberal, establishment leadership in the Republican Party accountable. And the best way to do so is by sending true marriage and life champions and leaders like Kirk Jorgensen to Washington.

Our country is in dire need of honest and responsible leadership. There is no greater responsibility than leading men and women in combat. Kirk has been entrusted by moms, dads and spouses to keep their loved ones safe — and to bring them home. Now, he's decided to pursue a different responsibility. Too often we elect political survivors instead of leaders — politicians who are more motivated to perpetuate their political careers than to serve our communities.

I'm asking you to give whatever you can to help Kirk Jorgensen. We must start sending leaders, not career politicians to Washington D.C. This is a huge opportunity for us.

Kirk's name has never been on a ballot before. He's someone like you and me who just wants to restore our political integrity, accountability to voters, and a sense that our nation is once again on a path to toward greatness.

His opponent, the liberal Carl DeMaio, is a career politician who's repeatedly run for higher office in a desperate attempt to advance his career. Even while a candidate for this very House seat, DeMaio was reportedly considering running for mayor of San Diego — again.

In pursuit of his ambitions, DeMaio has shredded much of what we hold dear. He's a pro-gay 'marriage,' pro-abortion candidate. DeMaio is fine with abandoning the most important foundational institution of society — marriage — that is our best hope for ensuring that children enjoy the love of a mother and a father. He's fine with tens of millions of children being snuffed out in the name of "choice."

There's another thing about DeMaio's candidacy that you should know. He's an open homosexual and an avowed supporter of the gay movement. Now don't get me wrong — I'm not judging him as a person and I firmly support his right in America to live as he chooses. The reason his homosexuality is an issue in this race is because this is precisely why GOP leaders in Washington are backing him.

In DeMaio, they have a trophy candidate they can point to and say to the media, 'see, we're progressive, too. We've evolved.' And in DeMaio, they hope to have a colleague who can steer their way some of the millions that go into gay political causes.

Well, I don't know about you, but I am not going to sit by and give in to the political calculation of GOP leaders in Washington willing to support a candidate who abandons our core principles. I'm going to stand for principle, and support a principled candidate — Kirk Jorgensen.

Please chip in as much as you can to help a true American hero, Kirk Jorgensen, and then forward this email to your friends. This is a rare opportunity to support a real conservative champion that values the same things that you and I do.

I've included Kirk's bio below my signature so you can learn more about him.

Sincerely,

Brian S. Brown

Kirk Jorgensen, a former U.S. Marine Corps Officer and resident of Black Mountain Ranch in San Diego has a long history of service to his community and country that continues with his run for California's 52nd Congressional District.

His close-knit family first moved to Rancho Bernardo in 1974, where they thrived as highly-involved members of the community. At a young age, Jorgensen participated in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts eventually earning the rank of Eagle Scout and is a lifetime member of the National Eagle Scout Association. Always wanting to be a Marine, Jorgensen attended the Army and Navy Academy in Carlsbad and accepted a full scholarship to the University of Arizona under the Marine Corps Naval ROTC program.

As an active duty Marine officer, Jorgensen was recognized with numerous awards and honors for his service including the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He led human intelligence, counterintelligence and force protection missions in Asia, Central America, and the Middle East to thwart terrorism, espionage and sabotage against the United States and allied forces.

Jorgensen was selected to attend elite Central Intelligence Agency training and graduated from "The Farm," with the highest accreditation. Following his CIA Operations Officer certification, Jorgensen served with the Defense Intelligence Agency and deployed to the Balkans where he facilitated the search and apprehension of Persons Indicted for War Crimes and genocide.

In 2003, during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Jorgensen commanded the largest Marine Corps deployment of Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence forces in history. The Marines under his command are credited with obtaining the critical intelligence that led to the successful rescue of all seven U.S. prisoners of war from Saddam Hussein's forces, emerging as one of the most decorated units of all coalition forces to serve in the campaign to Baghdad.

Returning home from Iraq after 10 years of active duty service with six deployments, Jorgensen joined Booz Allen Hamilton to provide technology and management consulting for the U.S. Navy Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) in Point Loma and the U.S. Navy SEALs in Coronado. He currently serves his community and country with the Department of Homeland Security as a U.S. Coast Guard Reserve Officer assigned to Sector San Diego. In 2008, Jorgensen was recalled to active duty to serve as an Intelligence and Operations Officer with the Navy/Coast Guard Combined Task Group 56.5 in the Persian Gulf.

Jorgensen is married to Dr. Georgine Jorgensen, a family physician and small business owner in San Diego. She has been recognized by her peers as a "Top Doctor of San Diego" for five consecutive years. The Jorgensens are the proud parents of sons, Erik (8) and Nate (4).

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

The National Organization for Marriage Endorses the “Marriage and Religious Freedom Act”

September 19, 2013 – 2:15 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Matille Thebolt (703-683-5004)

“This is a critical piece of legislation to protect religious liberty as a cornerstone of our country. Efforts to redefine marriage pose a direct threat to the free exercise of religion.” — Brian Brown, NOM president —

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C. — Today the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) endorsed the “Marriage and Religious Freedom Act.” Introduced by Congressman Raul Labrador of Idaho, along with 60 co-sponsors, the proposed legislation protects organizations who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman from having their tax-exempt status stripped by the IRS.

“This is a critical piece of legislation to protect religious liberty as a cornerstone of our country and deserves our full support,” said Brian Brown, NOM’s president. “Efforts to redefine marriage pose a direct threat to the free exercise of religion. This legislation would protect the right of organizations to communicate their views about marriage without threat that the tax code will be used to punish them. We applaud Congressman Labrador and his colleagues for their leadership on this important issue.”

Rep. Raul Labrador, Rep. Steve Scalise, Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, Rep. Mike McIntyre, Rep. Dan Lipinski, Rep. Joe Pitts, and Rep. John Fleming introduced the landmark bipartisan bill today to protect freedom of conscience on the issue of marriage. Their bill – the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act – would prohibit discrimination through the federal tax code against individuals or institutions that exercise religious conscience regarding marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

“This bill is crucial. Those who wish to redefine marriage would like nothing better than to wield the tax code as a weapon against those who hold a traditional view of marriage. Further, during the IRS hearings before the House Ways and Means Committee we all heard that some legislators would support stripping the tax-exempt status of some groups that support traditional marriage,” continued Brown. “Individuals and groups should be able to freely speak their views about marriage in the public square without fear of governmental reprisal including having their tax exemption stripped. This legislation protects religious freedom and our constitutional rights.”

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

Important New Legislation Unveiled Today

September 19, 2013 – 11:15 am

The Washington Post reports on a new bill called the Marriage and Religious Freedom Act written by Representative Raúl Labrador (R-Id.) and already enjoying support from a bi-partisan coalition including Rep. Mike McIntyre (D-N.C.), Rep. Steve Scalise(R-La.), Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ind.) and scored of other co-sponsors.

According to WaPo:

The bill... is a "narrowly-tailored piece of legislation" that would protect groups "from discrimination by the federal government," [Labrador] said in an interview this week.

Labrador said he began drafting his proposal partly out of fear that the IRS and other federal agencies might unfairly target groups that oppose same-sex marriage after the Supreme Court struck down a federal law barring same-sex couples from obtaining federal benefit this summer.

According to a press release on his website, Representative Labrador's bill "will ensure tolerance for individuals and organizations that affirm traditional marriage, protecting them from adverse federal action."

Our friends at Heritage will be hosting Representative Labrador for a live-streaming event this afternoon at 1 PM. Also joining in that conference will be Representative Tim Huelskamp, who is leading the effort for a Federal Marriage Protection Amendment. Watch the event live if you can.

And contact your legislators to urge them to support these two important initiaves.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Congress, Religious Liberty, 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

Whose Resolve is Stronger?

September 16, 2013 – 5:45 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

The next six weeks are critical to the future of marriage in America.

States like Hawaii and Illinois are convening special legislative sessions in an effort to redefine marriage. New Jersey activists are rallying in an attempt to override Gov. Christie's veto. In Washington, DC, Congress is now back in session, debating several pieces of legislation that touch on marriage and our precious religious liberties.

Activists on the other side are pouring millions into these fights. Bankrolled by same-sex 'marriage' backers like billionaire Paul Singer, they're giving everything they've got to these efforts to redefine marriage.

NOM and our allies in these deep blue states have repeatedly managed to rally supporters to defend marriage, dealing a blow to our adversaries and striking a victory for the truth about marriage. Despite this, same-sex marriage activists have declared "We will keep fighting until we win."

So the question that must be asked is, "Whose resolve will be stronger?"

Will you stand with me today by making a generous donation of $25, $50, $100 or even $500 to support NOM's work defending marriage and religious liberty across the country?

True marriage champions like you and I must continue to stand and defend God's definition of marriage. It will take every one of us, using our time, talent, and treasure, to stop this onslaught against the sacred institution of marriage.

Earlier this year genderless marriage was stopped in Illinois, particularly through the efforts of African American pastors who rallied constituents to reach out to their legislators. These legislators are now being targeted in 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 that our heroes and allies in Illinois will remain strong — but they need our support.

The same holds true in Hawaii...in New Jersey...in Congress...and in many other places around the country where a small but extremely well-funded group of radicals continue to push their vision of a genderless society on you and like-minded citizens who believe in marriage's timeless truth.

I'm asking you to take a few minutes today and make a difference by donating generously to NOM right away. A loyal supporter 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 done so, today is a great time to take advantage of this special opportunity.

We know those who would redefine marriage are relentless — the fact is we have to be just as committed as they are. The next six weeks will take all the strength, time, and resources we can all muster to protect true marriage and the right of children to be known and cared for by a mom and a dad.

Thank you for standing strong.

For our children and families,

Brian S. Brown

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, Same Sex Marriage | 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

Voting With Our Wallets

September 16, 2013 – 4:59 pm

Did you know that Starbucks was recently reported to be perceived as the most LGBT-friendly brand in the U.S.? JCPenney, Target, Apple and Amazon round out the top five.

If you've been following the national marriage battle over the past 18 months this should come as no surprise. Starbucks has said that gay ‘marriage’ is one of its corporate values. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who recently purchased the Washington Post, gave hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money to redefine marriage in Washington State. Target and JC Penny both support gay ‘marriage’ and the homosexual lifestyle in general, as does Apple.

In the same survey, it was reported that 75% of LGBT respondents said they were actively boycotting Chick-fil-A.

We only vote at a ballot box once a year at most. But we vote with our wallets every day. That’s why NOM maintains its Corporate Fairness Project - which includes the Dump Starbucks, Dump General Mills, and Thank Chick-fil-A initiatives – to inform you of what companies are taking active stands in the marriage battle, and where your money is best spent in defense of this sacred institution.