Dear Friends of Marriage,

In California, Judge Walker has set a date for final arguments: June 16. The end of the trial has been delayed as gay-marriage advocates squealed in alarm at the threat to the Constitution if they are asked to turn over the same documents Prop 8 supporters were asked to reveal.

We agree with them on the merits: The whole trial is an expensive and arbitrary intrusion into a matter that, as a question of law, should be clear and settled. There is no federal Constitutional right to same-sex marriage. The government has a unique interest in preserving and protecting those unions which are necessary for the whole society--unions which make new life, and protect children from the consequences of fatherlessness and family fragmentation.

Our marriage tradition is not based on bigoted discrimination, but on common sense for the common good. Duh! Moreover the private emails of campaign supporters (or opponents!) are simply not relevant to the process of determining the constitutionality of Prop 8 which was not passed by a handful of advocates, but by the common consent of 7 million Californians.

But of course it is a bit of good news that the courts at least applied some minimal standard of procedural fairness, a standard so often lacking in Judge Walker's other rulings.

We do not know when Judge Walker will hand down his verdict on marriage in this country. But look for it in July.

Archbishop Nienstedt of Minneapolis-St.Paul this week published an op-ed in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, calling for the legislature to put a state marriage amendment on the ballot in Minnesota:
The only way to secure the definition of marriage as a union of one man and one woman is to follow the lead of other states and put a simple definition of marriage in our state Constitution, beyond the reach of activist courts."

He made a point that is very relevant to the California court case as well:

"In years past, our elected officials told us that we did not need a marriage amendment, because there was no realistic threat from the courts. But the Iowa court decision, on the heels of rulings in Connecticut, California and Massachusetts, clearly demonstrates that an amendment is needed."

Just a few short years ago, we were told the threat from activists courts was exaggerated. Just a few short years ago, I remember being at a Federalist Society panel in which the well-dressed Human Rights Campaign lawyer assured a reporter from the Washington Times that there was no need for a federal Marriage Protection Amendment, because there was no one in federal court asserting that the Constitution requires same-sex marriage.

Now there is. Now we'll see whether a federal judge is going to assert control over marriage, and misuse the Constitution of the United States itself to propagate his own values, over the voices and values of the American people. We will have to be ready to defend not only marriage, but our core rights as citizens of this great nation to organize, to speak, to donate, and to vote for marriage itself.

Archbishop Nienstedt concluded, "A question as important as the future of this great, social institution called marriage should not be decided by a few, narrow elites, but by the people of Minnesota themselves."

Please pray for Judge Walker and the other civil powers in this great land, that the spirit of truth and fairness will prevail.

One thing I promise you: We are going to fight for the right and for your rights, and the rights of the vast majority of the American people, and the right of children to grow up in a society that acknowledges their right (wherever possible) to the mother and father who made them. No matter who tries to discourage or intimidate you and me!

In Iowa, a complaint against the National Organization for Marriage was just dismissed. I'm not surprised; when the "ethics" complaint was filed last September I told the press it was baseless and politically motivated and would be dismissed, and it was. At NOM we strive to be careful, effective stewards of not only your money but your values, because we both know these both belong to God.
Politics can get ugly, especially when politicians unused to criticism are challenged to defend their record.

I want to thank you for making possible the powerful response we’ve generated with our New Hampshire "Lynch Lied" advocacy campaign. Gov. Lynch realizes he has a problem on his hands. He’s tried to treat the attacks as an attack on "the people of New Hampshire," as he said in his angry and defensive press remarks. But the Manchester Union Leader came out with an editorial that made it crystal clear: NOM's advertisement is true. Gov. Lynch said one thing, and then did another, and not only on gay marriage, but on the budget and taxes.

Truth will prevail in the end. Gov. Lynch, you are the highest elected official in the state of New Hampshire. You cannot just shoot the messenger; you have to respond to the message. NOM's hard-hitting media campaign is now forcing the Governor to run soft-focus ads full of typical politician-speak: evasive rather than responsive. Did you raise taxes when you promised you would not? Did you "forget" to oppose gay marriage once your were elected? You can run, Gov. Lynch, but you can't hide from the truth. People of New Hampshire may or may not forgive you for breaking your promises, but first you have to own up to the truth.

Speaking of children and the truth, if you know a young person who could be a marriage champion, Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse and the Ruth Institute has a unique opportunity for him or her. If you are that young leader struggling to figure out how to build a culture of life and love in a hostile world, sign yourself up.

I know many college students read NOM's newsletter. Looking to start a pro-marriage club on your campus? Join the Ruth Institute and Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse this summer in Southern California for a long weekend training with top scholars from across the academic fields. The conference is being held in Murrieta Hot Springs, CA August 12-15. Travel stipends are available! (More info here: http://www.ruthinstitute.org/pages/studentConf.html . )

And pass this along to your friends too!

That’s all for this week, my friend. Thank you and may God bless you for your courage and decency in the relentless attacks we face.

Faithfully,

Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
20 Nassau Street, Suite 242
Princeton, NJ 08542
[email protected]

P.S. NOM fights for your values, and we need your help! Consider whether you can give $20, $50, or even, if God has given you the means, $500 to support marriage in this great country.

NOM in the News
"Senate Longshot Explains His Optimism"
Orange County Register
April 29, 2010

"For the first time in recent memory, outside groups are involved a Republican race in California," he said, citing mailers and phone banks by the conservative American Future Fund and the National Organization for Marriage targeting Campbell. Campbell opposed the Prop. 8 ban on gay marriage. That's because they think we can win."

"NH Gov. Lynch Fights Independent Group"
Hotline On Call
April 22, 2010
Lynch's spot stands in contrast to an ad launched last week by the National Organization For Marriage, accusing Lynch of switching positions on gay marriage and on taxes.

"Wedding Bell Blues"
Bay Area Reporter Online
April 29, 2010
The National Organization for Marriage, which has worked against same-sex marriage in California and other states, recently announced it has a new president.

"Let's Protect the Meaning of Marriage"
John Nienstedt
Minneapolis Star-Tribune
April 27, 2010
Marriage matters to every Minnesotan, whether or not we choose to marry personally, because it is the natural way we bring together men and women to conceive and raise the next generation. The intended reality of marriage as a lifelong, committed, life-giving union between one man and one woman, a reality long accepted as established fact, is severely challenged today. High rates of fatherlessness and family fragmentation impoverish children and leave women with the unfair burden of solo parenting. Children suffer, but so does the whole society, when marriage fails in its irreplaceable task of bringing together mothers and fathers with their children.

"The Hookup Culture"
Ruth Institute Podcast
April 21, 2010
Jamie Gruber appears on The Drew Mariani Show to discuss the hook-up culture on college (and some high school) campuses.  What's the problem?  What's the solution?  Her insights include why the term used is ambiguous, the role of alcohol, other people as objects, and more.