NOMblog: The Official Blog of the National Organization for Marriage

NOM BLOG

Monthly Archives: December 2011

Emmer: Hamline U. Guilty of "Political Bigotry"

December 15, 2011 – 2:52 pm

Jim Bonilla, Hamline University's consultant on diversity in higher education and founding director of their "Race, Gender, & Beyond" program confirmed Emmer's charge that Hamline refuses to let him teach there because he supported the Minnesota Marriage Amendment:

For [Jim] Bonilla, listed on the school's website as a consultant on diversity in higher education and the founding director of Hamline's "Race, Gender & Beyond" program, there is a business case and a social justice case to be made against Emmer.

... hiring someone stridently opposed to gay rights goes against the school's ethic of nondiscrimination and works against training the staff does on creating safe spaces for gay and lesbian students, Bonilla said.

"That would be money wasted," he said. -- Pioneer Press

Hamline is a private university, which states its mission is rooted in United Methodist values, according to their website.

The United Methodist Church, by the way, supports laws defining marriage as one man and one woman.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Education, Free Speech, Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (2)

Gay Marriage Founder Andrew Sullivan Endorses Ron Paul!

December 15, 2011 – 2:15 pm

Back in 1989, Andrew Sullivan launched the gay marriage movement with a cover story in The New Republic called "The Conservative Case for Gay Marriage." Yesterday, he endorses Ron Paul for president.

Prominent blogger Andrew Sullivan announced Wednesday that he would endorse libertarian Ron Paul for the GOP nomination, scoring the Texas congressman an unconventional advocate for his steadily improving campaign.

"I feel the same way about him on the right in 2012 as I did about Obama in 2008. Both were regarded as having zero chance of being elected. And around now, people decided: Why not? And a movement was born," Sullivan writes on his blog for the Daily Beast.

Sullivan, who describes himself as conservative and emphasizes his support for a flat tax, privatization of Social Security, and deficit reduction, supported President Barack Obama in 2008. Critics from the right have argued his support for gay marriage (Sullivan himself is gay) and criticism of Bush-era interrogation techniques betray liberal sensibilities. -- The Hill's Briefing Room blog

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage Election Watch, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (13)

Video: Brian Brown Asks Ron Paul If He Will Support a Marriage Amendment

December 15, 2011 – 1:45 pm

At the Thanksgiving Family Forum co-hosted by NOM recently, our President Brian Brown asked Ron Paul if he would support a federal marriage amendment -- here is a video of the exchange:

Here is our unofficial transcript of the exchange:

Brian Brown: “Hi, I’m Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage. My first question is for Dr. Paul. We’ve heard from others of their support of a federal marriage amendment. Would you support an amendment to the U.S. Constitution defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman?”

Ron Paul: “No, I have taken a position that I would not support. I support DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act but I would prefer under our system of laws that all these problems be taken care of in a constitutional manner which I would defer to the states. But actually I would go even a little bit further; me personally, my personal beliefs, although it’s not likely to be achieved in my lifetime, is traditionally throughout our Judeo-Christian history, it was usually dealt with by the church and I think the reason that we fight and fume over this is because we have too much government everywhere so I would say that the church should make this decision. That’s the most important place to determine marriage.

When you think about in the Old Testament when the God that led the people out of Egypt was not a king, they didn’t have a king and then when they got to the holy land, they had judges they didn’t have kings dictating and ruling but the family dealt with this and the family dealt with marriages but they had a judge to determine this. Matter of fact, when the people came to Samuel and said ‘look we need more rules and more laws, we want more government to tell us what to do and we need more of this.’ Samuel was old and ready to retire and he says ‘no that’s a bad mistake you don’t need more rules and more government, you don’t need this, the government will overreact and today I think this is what has happened to us. We have deferred to the federal government. We have way too much government. We should go in the other directions.

Before you know it the next step; what if the next step is wouldn’t it be wonderful if the United Nations defined marriage? I don’t want to go up that way, I want to go back down all the way to the family and the church. Believe me, it would a happier and more peaceful world if we went in that direction rather than asking the government and asking the king to solve all these problems. We need the family to deal with it and we can take our message and learn something from the Old Testament how there was such a strong emphasis on the patriarchal society and the disputes settled by judges rather than looking for big government.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Same Sex Marriage | Comments (8)

"Ultimate Betrayal" Says Wife of Alabama Official Who Donated Sperm to Lesbian Couple

December 15, 2011 – 11:00 am

The New York Daily News:

A former Republican official in Alabama who crusaded against same-sex marriage anonymously donated his sperm to lesbian couples while doing relief work in New Zealand, according to a shocking new report.

Bill Johnson, who made a failed bid for governor in 2010, used the online alias "chchbill" to meet with women who needed help to get pregnant, according to the New Zealand Herald.

The newspaper reports at least nine women received sperm donations from Johnson. Of them, three are now pregnant.

Johnston acknowledged to The Herald he donated his sperm, and that he did it because having children of his own was "a need that I have."
... Despite his assertions about how his wife feels, Kathy Johnson described his actions as the "utmost betrayal," according to The Herald. "My heart is broken."

In a statement to the Mobile Press-Register in Alabama, she said, "This is a really, really difficult time for our family... I'm still in disbelief and very hurt, and our family has a lot of healing to do."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Ethics, Marriage, Parenting, Science | Comments (4)

Minnesota College Republicans Ask: Why Can't Emmer Teach at Hamline?

December 15, 2011 – 10:00 am

Joe Kimball of MinnPost.com shares this statement in support of Tom Emmer by Ryan Lyk, chairman of the Minnesota College Republicans:

“This sends the wrong message to conservative students at Hamline, and any students looking to apply there. Hamline University is a school that allegedly stands for diversity of opinion, but apparently that only applies if you meet the standards of the liberal activists who are already faculty. This is just another example of an educational institution attempting to insulate itself from anything that might challenge its engrained liberal beliefs of practices. Gay marriage has absolutely nothing to do with business law or Emmer’s abilities to teach it. If liberal activist David Schultz can work there, why can’t Tom?”

Emmer claims he was denied a job over his pro-marriage views.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Corporate Ethics, Free Speech, Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

Gingrich Signs NOM's Marriage Pledge, Leaving Only Paul Among Major Candidates Not To Have Signed

December 15, 2011 – 9:21 am

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 15, 2011
Contact: Mary Beth Hutchins (703-683-5004 ext. 105)

NOM will begin advertising in Iowa to communicate with Iowa voters who is pledged to stand with them to defend marriage

WASHINGTON — The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today announced that presidential front-runner Newt Gingrich has signed the organization's presidential marriage pledge, leaving Ron Paul as the only major candidate not to have signed the pledge. The pledge, which commits candidates to take several concrete actions as President of the United States, has been signed by Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum and Michelle Bachmann. NOM also announced it would launch advertisements in Iowa to publicize those who are pledge to defend marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

"We commend Newt Gingrich for signing NOM's presidential marriage pledge, committing himself to play a leadership role as president to preserve marriage as the union of one man and one woman," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "Mr. Gingrich joins all the other major candidates who have made a similar commitment, save for one—Ron Paul. Now we will embark on an intensive communications program to inform Iowa voters who will stand with them to preserve marriage, and who has abandoned them on marriage."

Preserving traditional marriage is a major issue in the presidential campaign. In 2010 Iowa voters removed three justices of their state Supreme Court, including the Chief Justice, who voted to redefine marriage in Iowa and thus imposing same-sex marriage. NOM's marriage pledge commits the candidates to:

Support an amendment to the United State Constitution defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman;
Appointing Supreme Court Justices and an Attorney General who will apply the original meaning of the Constitution;
Vigorously defend the federal Defense of Marriage Act in court;
Establish a presidential commission on religious liberty; and
Advance legislation to return to the people of the District of Columbia their right to vote on marriage.

"Many of Ron Paul's supporters in Iowa believe that he is on their side when it comes to preserving traditional marriage, but he isn't," Brown said. "While Paul says he personally believes in traditional marriage, he has refused to sign our pledge and, worse, has said that marriage is strictly a private affair and that government has no role in regulating marriage. This is a dangerous position with profound consequences for society."

Left to its logical conclusion, if marriage is strictly a private affair as Paul has said, homosexual, polygamous and incestuous marriages among adults would be considered just as valid as traditional marriages. Moreover, should the United States Supreme Court decide to redefine marriage to impose same-sex marriage, just as they imposed their will on abortion, Paul would do nothing about it.

"NOM is not going to endorse a candidate in Iowa, but we will be making it clear through online ads, telephone calls and other actions that Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Michele Bachmann stand with Iowans on defending traditional marriage, and Ron Paul does not," Brown concluded.

To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of NOM, please contact Elizabeth Ray, [email protected], or Mary Beth Hutchins, [email protected] at 703-683-5004 ext. 105.

###

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage Election Watch, Politics, Press Releases | Comments (28)

UK Government Leaves Christian Registrar Out in the Cold Before European Court Trial

December 15, 2011 – 9:00 am

The Christian Institute:

Lillian Ladele, a Christian registrar who was disciplined for her stance on civil partnerships, will not receive the backing of the UK Government when her case reaches Europe.

Miss Ladele’s case is one of a quartet of religious liberty cases involving Christians that are set to appear before the European Court of Human Rights.

The Government has decided not to support her, instead backing previous rulings from British courts on the matter.

Supporters of Miss Ladele say there were plenty of registrars at Islington Council who could have easily provided a civil partnership service without requiring her involvement.

They say there could have been a ‘reasonable accommodation’ of her religious beliefs that would not have affected service delivery.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Civil Unions, Europe, Religious Liberty, United Kingdom | Comments (3)

Gov. Cuomo Mocks Marriage Supporters, Misrepresents Their Arguments to GQ Magazine

December 14, 2011 – 5:00 pm

As part of Governor Cuomo's victory lap for redefining marriage, he sat down for an interview with GQ Magazine, where he proceeds to mock supporters of marriage and mischaracterizes their arguments for preserving our marriage tradition:

GQ: And you got the [marriage equality] activists to work together—

Andrew Cuomo: Yeah. Because they were a fractured group. But I mean, you look at the injustice of the issue. [switches voices, mimicking the opposition] "You can't get married if you're gay." Why? "Well, because you're gay." And? "And, well, you can't make babies." That's the argument. Oh, really? So then we should change the law to say, "Only people who can and want to make babies can get married." So an infertile man can't. A woman who can't, she can't get married. People who don't want to make a baby, they can't get married. So let's change the law so it says, "Only people who can and will make babies." "Well, we don't want to do that. You can get married if you don't want to make a baby or if you can't--except if you're gay!" There's no logic.

Hat tip: HuffPo

By NOM Staff | Posted in New York, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (48)

Tom Emmer: Hamline University Won't Let Pro-Marriage Professors Teach

December 14, 2011 – 2:00 pm

Tom Emmer's pro-marriage views played a big role in his race for governor against Mark Dayton. Now he says Hamline University rescinded a job offer over his marriage views, as the Pioneer Press reports:

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer is accusing Hamline University of caving to faculty opposition and reneging on an agreement for him to teach at its business school.

Emmer said Tuesday that the St. Paul school agreed to hire him for the job and to fill an "executive in residence" position earlier this fall. But, he said, the school backed away after a small group of staff, including business school professor David Schultz, objected to his political views, including his opposition to same-sex marriage.

Emmer said the school should admit it did not honor the agreement because staff did not want a conservative like him teaching there.

In a letter to Hamline President Linda Hanson, Emmer said, "Madam President, is there a requirement that every faculty member at Hamline conform on the issue of marriage? Is there only one point of view allowed? Is there no political or religious freedom recognized at Hamline? I thought the 'mission' at Hamline University was to educate - not to inculcate.''

... Emmer said, he read a Dec. 6 newspaper report that he had never been hired. He characterized the story as "outrageous and unnecessary.''

Among other things, it made a reference to Schultz saying faculty members were concerned Emmer was simply being selected by McCarthy, which goes against the faculty handbook, and that he held "political positions that were incompatible with the university's mission, specifically his stance on same-sex marriage.''

"Isn't this exactly what certain segments of our population call bullying?'' Emmer asked.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Corporate Ethics, Free Speech, Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (17)

Minnesota Chamber of Commerce Says They Will Remain Neutral on Marriage Amendment

December 14, 2011 – 12:00 pm

The Post Bulletin Political Notebook blog:

Looks like the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce is going to stay on the sidelines in the political fight over the marriage constitutional amendment — at least for now.

Bill Blazar, the chamber's senior vice president of public affairs and business development, told Rochester business leaders on Friday that the chamber doesn't plan to take a position on a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. The proposal will be on the ballot in 2012.

"The current thinking of the Minnesota chamber is not to take a position on that amendment, that we don't see it as a business issue," Blazar said.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Corporate Ethics, Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (4)

Election Watch 2012 - Iowa

December 14, 2011 – 11:00 am

Less than 20 days to go until the Iowa Caucuses:

National Public Radio: Iowa Evangelicals Are Divided Over GOP Candidates

Associated Press: Social Issues Bubbling Up in GOP Campaign

Des Moines Register: Pastors: Newt Gingrich Is Empty Suit With Broken Zipper

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Iowa, Marriage Election Watch | Comments (4)

Andrew Breitbart Resigns from GOProud After They "Out" Perry Adviser

December 14, 2011 – 10:00 am

Matt Lewis at Daily Caller:

A prominent conservative voice has resigned from the advisory board of the gay conservative group GOProud after a leader of the organization “outed” a top Rick Perry adviser on Twitter.

A source who received a copy of the resignation email from Andrew Breitbart sends this along:

It is with sincere regret that I announce I must step down as a GOProud advisory member. On numerous occasions I have spoken with [GOProud leaders] Jimmy LaSalvia and Chris Barron of the significant impact the practice of “outing” had in my evolution from the political left to the right. I was under the absolute impression that both agreed. I have a zero tolerance attitude toward the intentional infliction of vocational and family harm by divulging the details of an individual’s sexual orientation as a weapon of political destruction. As an “Advisory Board member” I was not consulted on this extreme and punitive act. Clearly, there are more productive means to debate controversial ideas and settle conflicts. Therefore, I cannot in good conscience stand with GOProud. I still stand by gay conservatives who boldly and in the face of much criticism from many fronts fight for limited government, lower taxes, a strong national defense as well as the other core conservative principles.

By NOM Staff | Posted in GOProud, News | Comments (6)

Is It Still Wrong If Another Culture Says It Is Right? A Canadian Teacher’s Surprising Discovery.

December 14, 2011 – 9:00 am

A Canadian high school teacher writes:

I decided to open [a class on Ethics] by simply displaying, without comment, the photo of Bibi Aisha.

Aisha was the Afghani teenager who was forced into an abusive marriage with a Taliban fighter, who abused her and kept her with his animals. When she attempted to flee, her family caught her, hacked off her nose and ears, and left her for dead in the mountains. After crawling to her grandfather’s house, she was saved by a nearby American hospital. I felt quite sure that my students, seeing the suffering of this poor girl of their own age, would have a clear ethical reaction, from which we could build toward more difficult cases.

The picture is horrific. Aisha’s beautiful eyes stare hauntingly back at you above the mangled hole that was once her nose. Some of my students could not even raise their eyes to look at it. I could see that many were experiencing deep emotions.

But I was not prepared for their reaction.

I had expected strong aversion; but that’s not what I got. Instead, they became confused. They seemed not to know what to think. They spoke timorously, afraid to make any moral judgment at all. They were unwilling to criticize any situation originating in a different culture.

They said, “Well, we might not like it, but maybe over there it’s okay.” One student said, “I don’t feel anything at all; I see lots of this kind of stuff .”

Another said (with no consciousness of self-contradiction), “It’s just wrong to judge other cultures.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Canada, Children, Education | Comments (22)

The Problem With Relativism: It Ruins the Game

December 14, 2011 – 8:00 am

Marc Barnes writes over at Patheos:

"...the problem with moral relativism is that it takes the fun out of everything, and makes the world hellishly Puritanical.There are two ways to ruin a game. The first to add too many rules, and the second is too eliminate all of them. If a man were to sit me down for a one-legged, blindfolded game of chess in which pieces could only be moved according to the fibonacci sequence, and the sides were switched every 17 moves, I might play a few moves before proposing we watch cat videos instead. Worse though, would be if a man were to sit me down at a chessboard and say, “Let’s you and I do whatever we like. What’s right for you isn’t necessarily right for me.”

I don’t think I’d wait for the inevitable juggling of chess pieces. I’d run straight to cat videos, no hesitation. The most limiting cage in existence is woven by the lack of limitations, and it seems a rather obvious fact that the eradication of rules can only lead to the eradication of the game itself.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Ethics | Comments (4)

Senate Provision Allows Chaplains to Opt Out of Performing Same-Sex Ceremonies

December 13, 2011 – 2:00 pm

LifeSiteNews:

A provision added to the Senate defense authorization bill would give military chaplains the right to opt out of performing same sex “marriages.”

The amendment was introduced last month by Republican Senator Roger Wicker and approved by a unanimous voice vote.

“Protections for military chaplains should be guaranteed in any policy changes being implemented,” Wicker said, alluding to widespread fears that the conscience rights of military chaplains would be trampled in the wake of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell repeal.

A September memorandum from the Pentagon authorizing military chaplains to officiate at same-sex “weddings” despite the fact that federal law prohibits recognition of same-sex “marriages” had further heightened such fears.