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Monthly Archives: June 2011

Video of Maggie at Faith and Freedom: Why Fight for Marriage? Winning is Fun.

June 9, 2011 – 5:07 pm

NOM Chairman Maggie Gallagher at a panel discussion hosted by Faith and Freedom:

CBN Video: Rev. Joe Mattera Fights Back in NY!

June 9, 2011 – 4:23 pm

CBN News reports (video below):

In this latest battle, gay rights advocates are counting on Cuomo and Bloomberg to get the job done. However, traditional marriage supporters say they're backed by a multi-ethnic network of churches and the people they represent.

"It will recontextualize and reboot culture. Health care will change. They'll force the gay curriculum. It will come into the schools in greater measure," explained Bishop Joseph Mattera, who leads the political advocacy group Christ Covenant Coalition.

Mattera, who also pastors Brooklyn's Resurrection Church, said networks of clergy around the state are banding together to combat this year's push for gay marriage.

Their focus: a small group of undecided state senators.

By NOM Staff | Posted in New York, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (5)

Video: Rick Santorum Defends Marriage

June 9, 2011 – 3:56 pm

In an interview with John King on CNN:

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage Election Watch, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (1)

Toronto School Board: Parents Can’t Opt Kindergartners Out of Pro-Gay Curriculum

June 9, 2011 – 11:46 am

In LifeSiteNews:

In a major attack on parental rights, and a direct violation of the stated policy of the Ontario government, the Toronto District School Board is forbidding parents from opting their kids out of classes treating homosexuality.

Their policy suggests children are forced to join the board’s comprehensive “anti-homophobia” curriculum that promotes Toronto’s raunchy Pride parade to kindergarteners and aims to transform students into social activists by the end of high school.

... Beginning with kindergarten, children are expected to have an initial grasp of homosexual family structures, and are familiarized with terms such as “gay” and “lesbian”.

... The young students read “Gloria Goes to Gay Pride”, teachers are asked to bring in photos from the parade, and the students are encouraged to make posters for the school board’s parade float.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Canada, Children, Education, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

NYC Pastors Hold Rally At City Hall June 14 to "Rebut" Mayor Bloomberg

June 9, 2011 – 11:29 am

In Human Events:

... as the Senate again considers a same-sex marriage bill, this time under a new Republican majority, Bloomberg appears to be taking no chances in trying to turn wayward senators to his side. But local church groups in New York City have caught wind of Bloomberg’s arm-twisting, and have mobilized to stop him and the bill.

Bishop Joseph Mattera, founder and leader of City Action Coalition, a large coalition of multi-ethnic denominations in New York City, told HUMAN EVENTS that Bloomberg has been threatening Republican senators that he will pull his support for them if they vote against the bill...

Mattera and his coalition are planning a rally on the steps of City Hall to bring their message in support of traditional marriage rights to Mayor Bloomberg’s office door. Bishop Mattera’s City Action Coalition International, a group of affiliated churches dedicated to and organized around advocacy for moral issues including support of traditional marriage, is headlining the rally set for Tuesday, June 14, at 11:30 a.m. on the steps of City Hall.

By NOM Staff | Posted in New York, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (1)

Democrat Legislator in IL Calls for Religious Liberty Protections for Christians Foster Care Agencies

June 9, 2011 – 11:26 am

In the AP/BND:

In April, an Illinois Senate committee voted down an amendment to the Civil Unions Act that would have allowed faith-based social services agencies to keep their existing policies.

Sen. Bill Haine, D-Alton ... called it a "reasonable" resolution that would have allowed the organizations to uphold their long-held beliefs.

"These are children that are wards of the state, and the state has an interest in them being well-cared for," Haine said. "Catholic Charities and Lutheran Family Services and similar groups provide excellent care. To smash the system to smithereens on the basis that a few people want to adopt from these agencies that are in civil unions, to me is unreasonable."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Adoption, Religious Liberty | Comments (1)

Get Equal Calls on Southern Baptist Convention to Apologize

June 9, 2011 – 10:00 am

From an email alert of theirs:

... We're calling on the Southern Baptist Convention to issue an apology to the LGBT community for its repeated and reckless discrimination, and for the very real pain and destruction that discrimination has caused.

... It's time to call out religion-based bigotry for what it is, and to remove religion as a crutch for discrimination. We're starting with the Southern Baptist Convention, whose clergy has for years terrorized LGBT youth and their families with promises of hellfire and brimstone. Your signatures will be delivered directly to church members and leaders at their big annual convention in Phoenix next week.

Here is their press release.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (14)

American Papist: The Catholic Case for Rick Santorum

June 9, 2011 – 9:00 am

Over on his personal blog, NOM's Thomas Peters discusses the catholic case for Rick in 2012:

Most people who have heard of Rick Santorum’s political history and reputation have already made up their minds about him.

My argument is, however, that both Catholics who think they know Santorum well and people whose impression of Santorum has been only (mis)formed by the mainstream media don’t know the real Rick.

... I want to talk about Santorum as a “complete” Catholic candidate – one who is extremely strong on the foundational life and marriage issues, but who also advocates for other worthy causes that too-often have been taken over by liberal and progressive ideologies and politicians (all while not actually helping alleviate the underlying problems).

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Gay Rights Groups React to Sen. Rev. Diaz, Accuses NOM of 'Playing the Race' Card

June 9, 2011 – 8:00 am

We admire Sen Diaz very much; he speak for himself and his constituents, not for NOM. Accusing leaders like Sen. Diaz and Delegate Burns of being manipulated by NOM is sort of patronizing, don't you think?

... infighting between racial and ethnic minorities and the LGBT community is exactly what anti-gay groups like the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) are working tirelessly to foment.

These groups know that it’s in their political interest to pit racial minority communities against the LGBT community in order to distract from the clear parallels that exist between the groups’ respective struggles for civil rights and equality.

That’s why NOM used the “race card” so brazenly in Maryland, and it’s precisely why they’re doing it again (somewhat effectively, unfortunately) in New York.

In this light, Sen. Diaz’s comments are extremely disheartening. -- Equality Matters

By NOM Staff | Posted in Civility, New York, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (2)

URGENT ACTION ALERT: The Final Days – Stop SSM in NY with a Letter to the Editor Today!

June 9, 2011 – 6:00 am

Same-sex marriage supporters have launched a last-ditch effort to push gay marriage through the New York State Senate yet this year, even renting billboards with a personalized message to one state senator believed to be a swing vote.

Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg haven't stopped talking up same-sex marriage for weeks now. And wealthy elites are throwing their money around in an effort to buy five Republican votes.

Click here to send a letter to the editor of your local paper—we've provided talking points to get you started. Help set the record straight, and let everyone know that New Yorkers stand for marriage. Politicians are hearing from their constituents (keep it up!), but the media is continually beating the drum of inevitability and the latest poll results.

With your letter, you can let your neighbors know that this issue is quickly coming to a head, and that elites in Albany are trying to force same-sex marriage through without the people of New York ever having a say in the matter. Please - take a moment to write a short letter to the editor today.

Here at NOM, we're continually working to educate voters about the imminent threat marriage is facing. Tomorrow, Maggie will be in studio with Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Sen. Ruben Diaz, recording a broadcast (to air later at SiriusXM.com) to discuss the current state of the debate in New York, and what listeners can do to make a difference.

We're on the home stretch, but the battle is fierce. With God's help, if we all do our part, we will cross the finish line having achieved a victory the pundits never expected.

By NOM Staff | Posted in New York, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

Video: Tim Pawlenty Defends Marriage

June 8, 2011 – 3:02 pm

At the Faith & Freedom conference:

Here is the transcript:

Traditional marriage matters. And we need to tell each other and the country that we need to keep traditional marriage elevated on a platform –- all domestic relationships are not the same. Traditional marriage needs to be protected and a mom and a dad and parents matter in a child’s life for obvious reasons and so it is a cornerstone of our a nation it’s a cornerstone of our social fabric to define marriage as between a man and a woman. I’m glad to be the co-author of the Defense of Marriage Act in Minnesota.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage, Marriage Election Watch | Comments (6)

Text of New Hungarian Constitution's Commitment to Marriage as a Family-Building Institution

June 8, 2011 – 12:43 pm

A reader brought this to our attention:

In 2011, a new constitution ("Fundamental Law of Hungary") has been passed, the first to be adopted within a democratic framework and following free elections. It is scheduled to enter into force January 1, 2012.

Article K
(1) Hungary shall protect the institution of marriage, understood to be the conjugal union of a man and a woman based on their independent consent; Hungary shall also protect the institution of the family, which it recognises as the basis for survival of the nation.
(2) Hungary shall promote the commitment to have and raise children.
(3) The protection of families shall be regulated by a cardinal Act of Parliament.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Europe, Marriage | Comments (4)

Prominent CA Same-Sex Marriage Advocates Filing For Divorce

June 8, 2011 – 10:58 am

We wish them well:

One of the leading couples in the effort to legalize same-sex marriage in California is divorcing.

Molly McKay and Davina Kotulski have separated after 15 years together, seven as a married couple.

... John Lewis and Gaffney were plaintiffs in the 2008 California Supreme Court case that ended with 18,000 couples, including Molly and Davina, being allowed to marry.

... McKay said she will continue to campaign for same-sex marriage and will be at the marriage pavilion during San Francisco Pride festivities. -- CBS 5 San Francisco

By NOM Staff | Posted in California, Divorce, Prop 8, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (1)

Video: Rep. Vicky Hartzler Defends Marriage

June 8, 2011 – 10:30 am

At the Eagle Forum Collegians 2011 Summit:

By NOM Staff | Posted in DOMA, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (3)

Justice Alito Recuses, Judge Walker Excuses

June 8, 2011 – 10:00 am

In Keen News Service:

9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Stephen Reinhardt rejected a motion that he recuse himself from hearing an appeal from Yes on 8 last December. Reinhardt is married to the executive director of the Southern California ACLU. The motion filed by Yes on 8 attorney Charles Cooper asserted that, because the ACLU has been involved in challenging Proposition 8, Reinhardt should disqualify himself from hearing the appeal. Reinhardt and his 9th Circuit panel colleagues have yet to rule on Yes on 8’s appeal.

Now, it is up to U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Ware to decide where the recusal bar should have been set when Vaughn Walker heard the case challenging Proposition 8. At the time of the trial, Walker had given no public statement indicating that he was gay and in a relationship for 10 years with another man. And it is common for judges to look to the Supreme Court and other courts for guidance, in making their own rulings.

So, it won’t be a surprise next Monday if attorneys for the proponents of Proposition 8 trot out Justice Alito’s recent recusal statement in support of their argument that Walker should have recused himself from deciding the landmark case involving Proposition 8.

Justice Alito's recent recusal statement is explained in the full Keen News Service story.