This lesbian in The Atlantic says she was not "born this way", and it's nobody's business:
"In direct opposition to both the mainstream gay movement and Lady Gaga, I would like to state for the record that I was not born this way."
Monthly Archives: September 2011
Queer by Choice?
September 15, 2011 – 8:00 am
Politico: Andrew Cuomo a "Loser" in NY-9
September 14, 2011 – 3:00 pm
Let's not forget that Andrew Cuomo couldn't save the Democrat in this race, how will he be able to protect Republicans who voted for SSM?
"...in May’s upstate New York special election, Cuomo didn’t get behind now-Rep. Kathy Hochul until the last minute when the picture was clearer. But he gave Weprin, an establishment party figure, a forceful seal of approval and went so far as to cut a robo-call for the assemblyman." -- Politico's Alex Isenstadt on NY-9 Losers
Post NY-9 Consensus: SSM Vote Was a Major Factor in Weprin's Defeat
September 14, 2011 – 2:45 pm
Media outlet after media outlet makes the case:
American Spectator: "NY-9 is home to a significant number of politically engaged religious or orthodox Jews for whom the institution of marriage is fundamental and essential. And so, for them, Democrat David Weprin's vote to transform the institution of marriage in accordance with modern-day notions of "fairness" and "equality" was anathema."
National Review: The Turner campaign’s success in garnering Jewish votes was, no doubt, aided by the conservative instincts of the Russian and Orthodox communities, many of whose members were angered by Weprin’s New York Assembly vote to legalize same-sex marriage..."
The Wall Street Journal: "...Some conservative Jewish groups attacked Mr. Weprin, a state legislator, over his vote earlier this year in favor of gay marriage."
The Jewish Week: "As he left P.S. 255 on Avenue S in Midwood, Brooklyn, Tuesday morning, Albert Tebele said he voted against Democrat David Weprin because of the candidate’s vote in the state Assembly to allow gay marriage in New York."
The New Republic: "The district has a large Catholic and orthodox Jewish population, which makes issues like same-sex marriage (which Weprin voted in favor of it as a New York state assemblyman) [...] hot button issues."
CNSNews: "The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) released results of a survey Wednesday that shows that the same-sex marriage law passed recently in New York played a role in the Republican win in the congressional race to replace Anthony Weiner."
The Nation: "Brooklyn’s orthodox power broker Democratic Assemblyman Dov Hikind cited as his main reason for endorsing Turner [...] Weprin’s support for gay marriage."
Yeshiva World News: "Turner fought hard for Jewish votes over the issues of Israel and same-sex marriage, and Orthodox leaders were well-represented at his victory party at an Italian restaurant in Howard Beach."
Daily Beast: "...the bottom line is that New York’s 9th District is a place where the culturally conservative side of identity politics can play."
FoxNews: "There was also the fact that Democrat David Weprin was a proponent of a new law allowing same-sex marriage in New York."
Los Angeles Times: "Weprin had other things working against him going into Tuesday's vote: his endorsement of same-sex marriage, which enraged many of the Orthodox Jewish voters..."
Reuters: "The National Organization for Marriage said in a statement that voters has been unhappy with Weprin's vote to approve gay marriage in New York state."
CNN: "Meanwhile, the National Organization for Marriage cited Weprin's vote for the same-sex marriage amendment in Albany as the reason he lost. Though dominated by Democrats, the district is anything but liberal when it comes to social issues."
This in addition to Human Events, The Weekly Standard, Slate, Time Magazine, The Village Voice, The Associated Press, Red State, etc...
Politico: NOM a "Winner" in NY-9 Victory
September 14, 2011 – 2:30 pm
Alex Isenstadt in Politico, on NY-9's winners and losers:
National Organization for Marriage – The socially conservative organization helped to sow unrest with Weprin and Orthodox Jewish Democrats over his support for same-sex marriage. The organization dropped $75,000 on mailers highlighting Weprin’s position and dispatched Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein to record an anti-Weprin robocall.
NH SSM Repeal Bill in Early Stages
September 14, 2011 – 2:15 pm
New Hampshire is considering repealing its gay marriage law and replacing it with civil unions for any unmarried adults including relatives.
A House Judiciary subcommittee voted 3-1 Wednesday to recommend a repeal bill that also establishes civil unions for any unmarried adults competent to enter into a contract.
The bill still faces a vote by the full committee next month and the House in January.
NOM RELEASES "FLASH" SURVEY IN NY-9
September 14, 2011 – 1:16 pm
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 14, 2011
Mary Beth Hutchins or Elizabeth Ray at 703-683-5004
WEPRIN VOTE FOR GAY MARRIAGE COST HIM SEAT IN CONGRESS
Washington –The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today released a “flash” survey conducted yesterday among voters of New York’s 9th Congressional District which demonstrates that David Weprin’s support of same-sex marriage was a major factor in his loss to Republican Bob Turner.
“This survey demonstrates what many people have been saying for a long time – David Weprin’s vote in favor of same-sex marriage cost him election to the US House,” said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage. “NOM funded a major independent expenditure campaign in this race and the survey shows that marriage was a major factor in the race and cost Weprin the election.” The election of Republican Bob Turner marks the first time this district has been represented by a Republican since the early 1920s.
The survey by QEV Analytics interviewed 251 actual or highly likely voters in the NY 9th Congressional District and concluded just as the polls closed last evening. It found the following:
Fifty percent (50%) of district voters believe that marriage should only be between one man and one woman; while only 38% of voters disagree (13% didn’t express an opinion). Marriage supporters include 88% of Orthodox Jews, 53% of Catholics and 47% of other Christians. There is a high correlation between a person’s position on marriage and their vote between Turner and Weprin. Those who agree marriage should only be between a man and a woman voted for Turner 81% - 19%. Turner won Orthodox Jews 91% - 9%; Catholics by 72%-28%; Other Christians 53% - 47%. Weprin won among non-Orthodox Jews 69% - 29%; among Other/None/DK 76%-24%.
Moreover, among those who agree with the traditional definition of marriage, 44% said Weprin’s position was a factor in their vote, while 29% of those who disagree said his position was a factor. Voters told the pollster that David Weprin’s position on same-sex marriage was a specific factor in the voting decision of 72% of Orthodox Jews, 29% of Other Jews, 27% of Catholics, 33% of Other Christians, 27% of other/None/DK.
[Update: View a PDF of the results here]
“When the New York legislature voted to redefine marriage, NOM vowed that we would hold those legislators accountable. This is what happened last night,” Brown said. “Legislators were sold a bill of goods when they were told by Andrew Cuomo, Michael Bloomberg and the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) that they could redefine marriage and suffer no political consequences. All you have to do is look at David Weprin’s shocking loss to Bob Turner to understand that voting for same-sex marriage has consequences. Weprin just lost one of the most Democratic Congressional seats in the country in large part because of his vote to redefine marriage. Cuomo, Bloomberg and the HRC couldn’t save him and neither will they be able to save other legislators when it comes time for them to face voters.”
QEV derived the survey sample from a random selection of registered voters in the district most likely to vote in a special election. They carefully monitored the age distribution of the obtained sample so that it matched the age distribution of those likely voters. They weighted the obtained results so that these precisely matched the actual vote result.
The survey sample was 13% Orthodox Jewish, 25% Other Jewish, 36% Catholic, 12% Other Christian, 14% Other Faiths + No Faith + No Response. The margin of sampling error for Orthodox Jews on the ballot question is +/- 10%, which means that actual result of the ballot question could theoretically be as close as 81% Turner/19% Weprin.
To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Mary Beth Hutchins (x105), [email protected], or Elizabeth Ray (x130), [email protected], at 703-683-5004.
Paid for by the National Organization for Marriage, www.nationformarriage.org. Not authorized by any candidate or any candidate’s committee.
###
VICTORY! BOB TURNER—AND MARRIAGE—WIN IN NEW YORK!
September 14, 2011 – 12:00 pm
Dear Marriage Supporter:
I had the privilege of being at Bob Turner's victory party last night in Howard Beach, and speaking briefly with the Congressman-elect after his dramatic victory over pro-SSM David Weprin. For those following on Twitter, early in the evening I made what I thought at the time was a bold prediction that Turner would win by 5 points – only to see his margin grow as returns from Brooklyn came in, setting his eventual 8-point victory.
What a tremendous day for marriage! New York's 9th Congressional District, which Obama won, Clinton won, and which has had a Democrat in Congress since 1923, showed Tuesday that marriage is important. David Weprin was not able to defend himself against his vote to support same-sex marriage in New York, and his constituents made that clear. 42 percent of them oppose same-sex marriage. 29 percent said marriage was a significant issue in this race. And Tuesday a strong majority showed Weprin that they have had enough.
NOM played a major role in this election, helping to organize the Jewish and Hispanic communities to coalesce with Republicans, conservative and other pro-family voters. We mounted the first and largest independent expenditure campaign in the race to make marriage a key issue, and we succeeded. Special thanks go out to Rabbi Zecharia Wallerstein and Sen. Ruben Diaz for voicing automated phone calls to tens of thousands of Orthodox Jewish and Hispanic households in the district. Many voters were deeply offended by Weprin's support for same-sex marriage, and these phone calls from respected leaders helped to make sure voters knew Weprin's radical pro-ssm record.
David Weprin is not going to Congress for one reason: he listened to Andrew Cuomo, Michael Bloomberg, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and a few billionaires on Wall Street and went along with them to redefine marriage. Weprin foolishly believed them when they promised to protect him from any fallout over his vote to redefine marriage.
The Human Rights Campaign continues to absurdly claim that no politician has ever been defeated over his or her vote to redefine marriage, even though NOM is responsible for defeating countless same-sex marriage advocates and electing hundreds of candidates who have pledged their support for traditional marriage. But even the mainstream media is beginning to see through HRC's deception. (Check out NOMblog.com today for a taste of what the media is saying about the importance of marriage in the race.)
Many, many thanks to each of you who have taken action to stand up for marriage this week, whether it be voting in New York, calling legislators in North Carolina, or spreading the word to friends and family. NOM made substantial investments in both the North Carolina and the New York victories, and we need your help to replenish our funds. Same-sex marriage advocates are already planning their next steps, and we need your help so that we can continue to respond wherever the next threat arises.
If you are able to make a one-time gift of $25, $50, or even $100 or more, please do it right now. We are your voice for marriage in the public square, and your gift will help us to continue to achieve important victories for marriage all across the nation. Please click here to make your most generous gift today.
On to victory!
Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage
NRO's Bob Costa on NY-9: Marriage Mattered
September 14, 2011 – 11:30 am
Robert Costa writes that the President's unpopularity was not the only factor in Bob Turner's surprise 8-point victory yesterday over David Weprin:
Marriage matters. Democrats may think the debate is over, but in a district they’ve held for decades, it is a hot-button issue, and may have cost David Weprin a seat in Congress. Orthodox Jewish leaders hold major sway in Brooklyn and Queens and many of them campaigned against Weprin for supporting same-sex marriage, which was legalized by the state legislature in June. Queens assemblyman Dov Hikind, a Democrat, endorsed Turner due to Weprin’s vote. Sensing opportunity, the National Organization for Marriage poured thousands into the district.
And the polls encouraged them: One Public Policy Polling survey showed district voters opposing same-sex marriage, 45 percent to 41 percent. PPP’s numbers also showed that nearly 30 percent of locals viewed marriage as a deciding factor. In an interview with an Orthodox Jewish news outlet, Weprin, on the ropes, fumbled, awkwardly tiptoeing away from the law. He may have convinced a scattering of conservative Democrats to stick with him, but he let down his base, generating ire from his Democratic colleagues for questioning, of all things, the procedure used to pass the bill. “I find this offensive,” complained one Democratic state senator. “Once people think you’re not being honest about your position, then they question all of your positions.” Turner, who spent months reaching out to rabbis and their flocks, cleaned up.
Human Events on the Marriage Factor in NY-9
September 14, 2011 – 11:00 am
John Gizzi at Human Events:
"...many other observers we spoke to added that of gay marriage. More than 40 Orthodox Jewish rabbis signed a letter denouncing Weprin’s vote for the measure when it passed the New York Assembly and endorsing Turner, a Roman Catholic. In addition, the National Organization for Marriage spent more than $75,000 on pro-Turner mailings focusing on the marriage issue."
"Mazel Tov, Bob!"
September 14, 2011 – 10:44 am
Seen at last night's Bob Turner Victory Celebration:
It reads: "Mazel Tov, Bob!"
Source: NRO's The Corner
Weekly Standard: "Israel, Marriage, Key Issues in NY-9"
September 14, 2011 – 10:30 am
John McCormack at The Weekly Standard:
The two issues that seem to have helped drive some of the district's traditionally Democratic voters to cast their ballots for Turner were Obama's Israel policy and Weprin's vote for same-sex marriage. Former Democratic New York City mayor Ed Koch endorsed Turner primarily to send a message to Obama on Israel. Democratic state senator Ruben Diaz backed Turner because of Weprin's vote on marriage...
..."The fundamental message was 'I'm an orthodox Jew and gay marriage is perfectly fine,'" Hikind says of his Democratic colleague's speech. "To me, when he did that, he crossed every single line." Forty orthodox rabbis declared that orthodox Jews could not support Weprin.
"I can tell you this is a real serious issue among Jews, among orthodox Jews, among Catholics," Hikind says. A PPP poll from last week showed that 29% of voters in the district said marriage is "very important," and a plurality (45% to 41%) said it should be "illegal."
Slate: NOM's "Death Ray" Did the Deed in NY-9
September 14, 2011 – 10:12 am
Dave Weigel at Slate:
The first wedge issue, getting a little less attention on Tuesday, was gay marriage. Earlier this year, Assemblyman David Weprin voted for the successful bill that legalized same-sex unions in New York. He explained his vote by explaining the tenets of his Orthodox Jewish faith. “I think everyone here would agree that we should not be outlawing marriages between Jews and non-Jews or interracial marriages,” he said.
That was dangerous. At least 40 Orthodox rabbis in the district signed a letter pronouncing it “forbidden according to Torah law” to vote for Weprin; this in a district where perhaps one-third of ballots would be cost by Jews, many of them Orthodox. The National Organization for Marriage, which had failed to stop the gay marriage bill, trained its death ray on Weprin, organizing direct mail and robocalls to spread the rabbis’ message, and targeting the district’s Hispanic voters – about 15 percent of the population – with a robocall from conservative State Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr.
Time Mag: Weprin Was Hurt by SSM Vote in NY-9
September 14, 2011 – 10:00 am
Time Magazine explaining what happened in NY-9 yesterday:
In an area that includes large pockets of conservative Orthodox Jews, the 55-year-old Weprin — who is himself Orthodox — was hurt by his vote in favor of New York’s gay-marriage law. “There’s only one reason David Weprin is in trouble in race for a very safe Democratic seat: His support for same-sex marriage,” wrote Brian Brown of the National Organization for Marriage, which forked over $75,000 to defeat Weprin. In a recent Public Policy Polling survey, 29% of respondents said gay marriage was a very important issue.
NY's Village Voice Asks if Weprin is "First Political Victim of SSM Backlash"
September 14, 2011 – 9:00 am
Politicians who are on the fence about coming out for [same-sex marriage] will undoubtedly take note of NOM's success with a seat which should have been a cakewalk for the Democrats.
Wiser heads than ours can probably argue that there were larger forces at play than simply [same-sex marriage].
Still, judging from the stream in our (extremely) little slice of the twitterverse, NY-9 was all about gay marriage, Weprin's vote, and NOM's vow to take him on.
And unquestionably, today the [same-sex marriage] foes won -- both in NY-9 and in North Carolina.
AP: Gay Marriage Lost Weprin Jewish Support
September 14, 2011 – 8:00 am
The Associated Press explaining last night's upset in NY-9:
Weprin became embroiled in New York-centric disputes over Israel and gay marriage, which cost him some support among Jewish voters.
Orthodox Jews, who tend to be conservative on social issues, expressed anger over Weprin's vote in the Assembly to legalize gay marriage. In July, New York became one of six states to recognize same-sex nuptials.
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