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Monthly Archives: June 2012

National Organization for Marriage Announces Protest of General Mills

June 26, 2012 – 4:45 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2012
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"In declaring a war on marriage, General Mills is declaring war on their own customers." —Brian Brown, President of NOM—

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C.—The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today announced that they will be initiating a protest of General Mills, including a new website at www.DumpGeneralMills.com, in response to General Mill's announcement that they, as a corporation, support same-sex marriage.

"In declaring a war on marriage, General Mills is declaring war on their own customers. Now, rather than seeing the flowing "G" trademark as a symbol of General Mills, consumers across the world will equate that symbol with gay marriage," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "For a company that reaps billions of dollars of sales from families with children this is a spectacularly foolish decision. It goes to show what happens when a company puts special political interest groups ahead of their business interests."

On their website, General Mills makes the commitment to respect diversity. Not just diversity of things like gender, skin color, or sexual orientation, but also respecting diverse values, preferences, and beliefs. This protest will be designed to hold General Mills accountable to that promise.

In addition to well-known General Mills products like Cheerios, Kix, and Wheaties, the boycott will also include brands that many consumers might have thought stood alone—brands like Pillsbury, Yoplait, Betty Crocker, Bisquik, Green Giant and more. A full list for interested shoppers can be viewed at: www.DumpGeneralMills.com.

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, or Jonathan Baker, Director of NOM's Corporate Fairness Project, please contact Elizabeth Ray (x130), [email protected], or Jen Campbell, [email protected], at703-683-5004.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Dump General Mills, Press Releases | Comments (28)

Liberal Writer Richard Kim: "I Want to Scramble" Marriage

June 26, 2012 – 3:00 pm

Liberal writer Richard Kim of The Nation welcomes David Blankenhorn's defection on marriage as an opportunity to argue for further destabilizing marriage. For anti-marriage activists like Kim, nothing will ever be enough:

"...The primary difference, of course, is that Blankenhorn and I fundamentally disagree about what marriage should mean—for gays and straights alike. As the founder of the Institute for American Values, Blakenhorn has attacked single mothers, championed federal marriage promotion as welfare policy, railed against cohabitation and no-fault divorce and opposed access to new reproductive technologies. One of his institute’s latest crusades has been against anonymous sperm donors because it leads to “fatherless” children, an abiding preoccupation of his. Suffice to say, I don’t agree with any of this. I think divorce can be a great thing—as anyone leaving an abusive marriage might confirm. And I think all the debates over which type of family produces the best outcomes for children ought to be meaningless as a matter of state policy. Gay or straight, single or married, let’s try to create the conditions in which all families can succeed. Blankenhorn sees an inner circle of honor and benefits that should be attached to marriage, and he’s now extended that circle to include gays and lesbians. I want to scramble that circle."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Divorce, Marriage, Polygamy, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (14)

Maryland Marriage Alliance Submits Nearly 3X the Needed Signatures!

June 26, 2012 – 2:00 pm

Signatures keep pouring in!

The Maryland Marriage Alliance announced today that it plans to submit an additional 39, 743 signatures to the Maryland State Board of Elections as part of efforts to add a referendum on the state’s same sex marriage law to the November ballot.

The addition brings the total of signatures supporting the referendum to 162, 224.The Maryland Marriage Alliance submitted more than 122, 000 signatures to Maryland’s Secretary of State May 29, more than double the nearly 57, 000 signatures required to add a referendum.

One-third of the required signatures were due by the end of May. All signatures were due by June 30.

A partner of the Maryland Marriage Alliance, the Maryland Catholic Conference called the outcome “a phenomenal response.” The MCC worked with Catholic parishes and organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, to collect signatures through parish-based petition drives.

The MCC trained volunteers to ensure collected signatures were valid and would withstand the strict scrutiny expected from the Board of Elections. According to the MCC, the Board of Elections has already validated more than 109,000 signatures.

“The everyday people of Maryland have shown unprecedented support in this petition process, and we will carry that enthusiasm forward to the November elections with thoughtfulness and compassion,” the MCC executive director Mary Ellen Russell said in a June 25 statement.

“We are Democrats, Independents and Republicans, spanning generations from every corner of the state, and represent many faiths and no faith,” she said. -- The Catholic Review

Find out what you can do to help out in the next stage at www.MarylandMarriageAlliance.com.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Maryland, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (16)

NOM's Jonathan Baker on General Mills Endorsing SSM: "Dumb PR Stunt"

June 26, 2012 – 1:00 pm

The Christian Post:

The CEO of a major cereal company has expressed his opposition to the Minnesota marriage amendment at a business function centered on LGBT professionals. One traditional marriage supporter called the move a PR stunt.

General Mills CEO Ken Powell declared his opposition last week to the amendment that if approved by voters would be added to the constitution of the state where his company is headquartered. In response, Jonathan Baker, director of the Corporate Fairness Project at the National Organization for Marriage, told The Christian Post that General Mills' position was "one of the dumbest PR stunts I have ever seen."

"The proper business decision is to stay neutral so as to respect the diverse views of your employees, customers, communities in which you operate, and, for publicly traded companies, your shareholders," said Baker.

Learn more about our newly-announced Dump General Mills campaign right here.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Corporate Ethics, Dump General Mills | Comments (8)

NY Conservatives Shun Sen. Saland Over Gay Marriage Vote

June 26, 2012 – 12:00 pm

The Poughkeepsie Journal:

For the first time in his 12 electoral campaigns for the state Senate, Steve Saland’s name will not appear on the Conservative ballot line, New York State Conservative Party Chairman Michael Long said.

That is due to his vote one year ago to legalize same-sex marriage in New York. Long said at the time he would no longer support Saland, who is seeking his 12th two-year term in the Senate, and the three other Republicans in the state Senate who voted for the bill.

Long has not changed his mind. He has yet to endorse a candidate for the state Senate 41st District.

“Anyone who voted for same sex marriage, there’s no question about it, they will not get the Conservative endorsement,” Long said last week. “It’s not going to happen. They were all forewarned before the vote that traditional marriage is very important.”

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

Maggie Gallagher on David Blankenhorn's Defection

June 26, 2012 – 11:00 am

Maggie Gallagher reflects on David Blankenhorn's decision to "accept" gay marriage:

"...here’s what I want to say to David and to you: a comity that is bought by surrendering principle is submission, not comity at all. The truth about something as important as marriage cannot be the price we pay to live with each other.

The challenge of our time—and it is a deep challenge, not an easy one—is to find new ways to combine truth and love. Giving up marriage is too high a price to pay. And it is not the last good we will be asked to surrender, unless we find the courage to stand."

Read her entire article in The Public Discourse.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (24)

AP: Minnesota Lesbian Says Gays Shouldn't Call Their Unions 'Marriages'

June 26, 2012 – 10:00 am

The AP on Minnesotans' views on marriage:

"...Ujay Gang of St. Paul regularly attends Nativity with his wife and two young children. He said, for him, the marriage amendment is about the definition. Other Nativity parishioners said they support the amendment but declined to comment on the record.

"I don't understand why the homosexuals are trying to redefine marriage," Gang said. "They should come up with their own word. They are pushing their view on others."

At the Pride Festival, Karen Ahern, a lesbian from Bloomington, agreed.

"It hits a nerve with the straight community," Ahern said. "They should call it 'unions' or something else. It's polarizing, and I know that people here will (have) a fit because I said that, but just get the thing done. Don't agitate people."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Minnesota, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (16)

Brian Brown to NY Senators: "We're Not Going Away"

June 26, 2012 – 9:00 am

Our President Brian Brown interviewed by MSNBC:

One year after New York lawmakers voted to make same-sex marriage legal in the state, opponents of gay marriage are pledging to unseat the Republicans whose support was key to the law's passage, saying they want to send a message to other legislators that there are “consequences” to their votes.

The National Organization for Marriage, which opposes gay marriage, says it is funneling $2 million into the state to oust three state senators who voted to support the legislation. All three, Sens. Roy McDonald, Stephen Saland and Mark Grisanti, are facing primary challenges. A fourth GOP senator, Jim Alesi, already has said he won’t seek a ninth term due to local opposition over his pro-gay marriage stance.

... Brian Brown, [President] of NOM, doesn't shy away from the fact his group is hoping to intimidate wavering lawmakers into opposing gay marriage.

“The message is clear, that supporting same-sex marriage is a losing issue, not a winning issue,” Brown told msnbc.com. “You could lose your career over supporting same-sex marriage.”

... "If we don’t get a vote this year, we’re going to work to get one next year. We’re not going away," Brown said. "I think it’s just wishful thinking to say that once you have same-sex marriage the fight’s over. It’s not."

... Toward that end, NOM has spent $400,000 on issue ads, billboards, automated calls and direct mail as well as made direct donations through its New York PAC. It is planning to spend another $1.6 million to try to unseat McDonald, Saland and Grisanti as a result of their gay marriage votes.

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

Sign the Petition! NOM Announces Protest of General Mills

June 25, 2012 – 5:45 pm

Email Header Image

Dear Marriage Supporter,

Just a few months ago, Starbucks announced that gay marriage was "core" to the beliefs of their company and formally endorsed same-sex marriage in Washington State. NOM responded by organizing a protest of Starbucks—and nearly 45,000 people have now signed the DumpStarbucks petition.

Well, the radical left of corporate America is at it again...and this time it's General Mills. If you had a hard time figuring out what coffee has to do with gay marriage, good luck figuring out what the connection is with breakfast cereals. But for whatever reason, General Mills has entered the Culture War, announcing its corporate opposition to the marriage amendment in Minnesota on the ballot this November which would define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Supporter, this is extremely serious! We cannot allow Corporate America throw its weight behind the gay marriage movement!

Please take 60 seconds to sign our petition to let General Mills know that backing gay marriage is just bad business!

The DumpStarbucks.com petition helped begin a movement that is sending a powerful message to corporate America: Don't Mess With Marriage!

Apparently, General Mills missed that message. So, please, send it to them right now so there can be no uncertainty. Go sign our petition asking General Mills to reconsider their ill-advised decision to back the same-sex marriage movement.

We need you now more than ever as we are reaching a "line in the sand" moment—we cannot allow corporate America to throw its prestige, influence, power and money behind same-sex marriage.

By Brian Brown | Posted in Same Sex Marriage | Comments (67)

National Organization for Marriage Endorses Wendy Long for US Senate in New York

June 25, 2012 – 2:45 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2012

Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)

"Wendy Long will provide principled, conservative leadership for New York, and American, families."—Brian Brown, President NOM—

National Organization for Marriage

WASHINGTON, DC—The National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today announced its endorsement of Wendy Long in the race to challenge incumbent US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

"Wendy Long is a brilliant attorney, accomplished leader and dedicated wife and mother who will provide principled, conservative leadership for New York and American families," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "She understands that New Yorkers hunger for committed leaders who will uphold American values like traditional marriage, fight to create jobs and force government to live within its means. We are proud to endorse her."

NOM is the nation's largest organization dedicated to preserving marriage as the union of one man and one woman. The group strongly opposed redefining marriage and has pledged to spend $2 million on issue advocacy, and in support of candidates, who will fight to give voters a say in determining the definition of marriage in New York."

"Kirsten Gillibrand has abandoned families on important issues like the definition of marriage," Brown said. "She has come to symbolize everything that's wrong with Washington—cultural arrogance and recklessly spending money we don't have, saddling families with a mountain of debt. In Wendy Long, we have a candidate who will fight hard for families in Washington."

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To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Jen Campbell (x145), [email protected], or Elizabeth Ray (x130), [email protected], at 703-683-5004.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage Election Watch, New York, Press Releases | Comments (25)

NY Catholic Conference: Lesbian Lawsuit an "Attack on Religious Liberty"

June 25, 2012 – 1:00 pm

We reported on this news last week.

Lower Hudson News adds more this week:

The New York State Catholic Conference has called a lesbian couple’s class-action lawsuit against St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Yonkers an attempt “to compel the hospital (and all Catholic employers) to violate their religious beliefs.”

... The medical center is a Roman Catholic organization; the Catholic Church opposes same-sex marriage.

In a statement issued today, the Catholic Conference framed the couple’s lawsuit and New York’s legalization of same-sex marriages as an undermining of the separation of church and state. It put quotation marks around the word married in describing the couple’s relationship and said the Marriage Equality Act infringes “on the religious liberty of Catholic employers.”

“We urge the governor and the legislature to pass legislation immediately to approve a full religious exemption to this ill-conceived law,” the group said. “We also continue to urge other states to use New York’s experience as a cautionary reminder of the true implications of the redefinition of marriage on religious liberty.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, Law, Marriage, New York, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (35)

FRC: JCPenney Admits Sales Falling, Pro-Gay Sales Strategy Failing

June 25, 2012 – 12:00 pm

Via FRC's Washington Update:

"...J.C. Penney has lost its way--and in the process, its profits! "Is J.C. Penney trying to become GayC Penney?" ABC Newsis asking--and so are customers. In the last several months, the company once known for its Christian roots has undergone a radical transformation. It started last year, when J.C. Penney hired Ellen DeGeneres, a vocal proponent of same-sex "marriage," as its spokesperson.

... As Ford Motors will tell you, siding with radical homosexuals has its price. And in J.C. Penney's case, the cost is about $163 million. According to the Wall Street Journal, J.C. Penney's stock "has lost more than a third of its value since a disastrous earnings report in mid-May, when Penney's posted a $163 million loss and said sales fell 20% in the first three months of its fiscal year." CEO Ron Johnson also admitted that Father's Day sales were a bust. "Penney's shares fell 8.8% Tuesday to their lowest level in a year, [and] store traffic was down 10%."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Corporate Ethics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (21)

Michelle Malkin on Obama's Coming DNC "Disaster"

June 25, 2012 – 11:00 am

Michelle Malkin notes that North Carolina's strong support of their Marriage Protection Amendment has added to the woes of the DNC and the President's re-election campaign:

"...Moderate Democrats aren't the only ones refusing to put on the party hats and sing "Kumbaya." North Carolina is riling Obama's left flank, too. And national media outlets are noticing. In a piece on the DNC "going awry," Bloomberg News reported:

"Voters just approved a state constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, which conflicts with Obama's view on the issue. Convention fundraising has been slow, and labor unions tapped to fill the financial gap are angry the convention will be in a city — Charlotte — with no unionized hotels and in a state where compulsory union membership or the payment of dues is prohibited as an employment condition." -- CNS News

By NOM Staff | Posted in North Carolina, Politics, President Obama, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (9)

Youth Minister Asks: "Why is GLSEN Bullying My Community?"

June 25, 2012 – 10:00 am

Aaron Sweeney writes a guest post over at CitizenLink:

I can’t remember the last time my town’s been in the national news—in fact, maybe there hasn’t really been another time. I guess that’s why what’s going on now has taken so many of us by surprise.

I’m the youth minister at a church in Erie, Illinois—a town of about 1,500 people that represents a mixture of local business owners, farmers, teachers and factory workers and others.

We’ve never experienced anything like this—where for the last several weeks our town has been the target of a national pressure campaign launched by gay activists and liberal media. People in our town have been called insulting names by angry bloggers. They’ve gotten phone calls to their home and hate emails from people who don’t even live here.

So what was our town’s big crime—the one that suddenly put us on the map for hate speech and CNN coverage?

Well—we just dared to say no.

No, that is, to GLSEN’s (the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network) materials coming into to our pre-kindergarten through fourth grade elementary school. (Read more about thathere). And our local school board had the courage to listen to the concerns of the majority of parents, voting 5-2 to reject the materials. (I got involved in this whole thing after a bunch of parents started contacting me about what was happening.)

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Civility, Education, Free Speech, Illinois, MarriageADA, Religious Liberty | Comments (24)

New Pro-Marriage Group Forms in New Hampshire

June 25, 2012 – 9:00 am

The Union Leader reports on a new group that has formed in New Hampshire:

"...a group of social conservatives and “politically active Christians of all denominations” have established a new nonprofit issues-advocacy group and state political action committee. They expect to have a “powerful impact” on the 2012 general election and the next session of the Legislature.

Families Across New Hampshire (FANH) is the brainchild of veteran Republican political strategist Michael Dennehy, a Concord lobbyist and former senior advisor to John McCain.

The financial goal for the PAC, Dennehy says, is to spend $150,000 to advocate for the election of “pro-family” candidates for state office during the 2012 elections and for the nonprofit to air issue-advocacy advertising.

While the prime focus will be on the general election, “We may get involved in some primaries if there is a clear distinction, and we will support pro-family Democrats as well,” Dennehy said.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, New Hampshire, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (7)
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