FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2013
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"Marriage is not a partisan issue; many of its most ardent defenders are Democrats like Senator Pryor" — Brian Brown, NOM president —

Washington, D.C. — The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today commended U.S. Senator Mark Pryor for maintaining his support for marriage as the union of one man and one woman. In a recent news interview, Pryor reaffirmed his continuing support for true marriage. Marriage is popular in Arkansas-75% of Arkansas voters chose to protect marriage through a constitutional amendment in 2004.

"We commend Senator Pryor for standing tall for marriage as the union of one man and one woman and for resisting political pressure to switch positions on such a foundational issue of critical importance to society," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "The media has often portrayed the marriage debate in partisan terms, but there is nothing inherently political or partisan about marriage. Many of the strongest supporters of marriage are Democrats, including leading African Americans and prominent elected officials such as New York Senator Ruben Diaz."

When California passed Proposition 8, exit polls showed that 70% of African American voters supported the measure to restore marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Similar percentages of black voters helped propel the North Carolina marriage amendment to passage last year. African American voters are overwhelmingly registered as Democrats. Sen. Ruben Diaz, D-Bronx is a pastor and state Senator who has championed true marriage. He helped organize over thirty buses of Hispanic constituents to attend the recent March for Marriage in Washington, D.C.

"We hope that other Democrat elected officials will follow Senator Pryor's lead and stand up for marriage as the union of one man and one woman," said Brown. "Marriage is society's only institution that connects men and women to each other and provides the best environment for raising any children that may come of their union. It is a great and positive institution for society, one that people of all parties should stand to support. We are grateful to Senator Pryor for doing just that."

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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 Jen Campbell (x145), [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).