FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 19, 2012
Contact: Anath Hartmann or Elizabeth Ray (703-683-5004)

"The people of New Jersey can and will stop this bill."
—Brian Brown, NOM president—

Trenton, N.J. – The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today pledged an all-out effort to prevent same-sex marriage from becoming law in New Jersey, and said it would spend upward of $500,000 to support legislators who stood to preserve traditional marriage and hold those accountable who impose same-sex marriage in the state. Backers of gay marriage today unveiled yet another legislative attempt to redefine marriage in New Jersey.

"The media is reporting that gay marriage is sure to pass through the Legislature, but we heard the same false story in 2009 and 2010. The people of New Jersey can and will stop this bill." said Brian Brown, NOM's president.

Governor Chris Christie has previously pledged to veto any same-sex marriage legislation that is passed by the Legislature.

"We commend Governor Christie for his position that marriage is the union of one man and one woman, just as it has been throughout history. Even though the governor has pledged to veto the legislation, we are committed to holding legislators accountable for their own views and will work to assure that he never has to exercise his veto power," Brown said. "NOM will spend $500,000 in New Jersey legislative races to support those who stand with us in defense of traditional marriage, and hold those who abandon marriage accountable to voters."

NOM cautioned legislators that imposing gay marriage will have profound consequences for children and eliminate children from the marriage equation in New Jersey.

"States license marriage because of their inherent interest in ensuring that any children born of the sexual union of men and women have the best opportunity to be raised by their own mother and father," Brown said. "Same-sex marriage changes the focus of our marriage laws from a child-centered institution to one that exists only to satisfy the demands of adults. Children suffer because of this."

Brown noted that in other states that have legalized gay marriage children as young as second grade have been taught it in public school. This has already occurred in Massachusetts, New York and California.

"Legislators need to know that a vote for same-sex marriage is a vote to have it taught to kids in public schools, including to seven and eight year old children," Brown said. "This is not a ‘feel good' vote for political correctness; it will have profound consequences on families and especially children in New Jersey. It has happened in Massachusetts and right across the river in New York, and that is what legislators are being asked to support in New Jersey."

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

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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).