Home
|
Contact Us
|
NOM BLOG
Home » March, 2013

Monthly Archives: March 2013

Online Media Promoting the March for Marriage

March 25, 2013 – 12:30 pm

In addition to scores of national TV, cable and radio news covering the March for Marriage, online media is promoting it as well:

Chicago Examiner.com:

Tuesday, March 26, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments to determine if Proposition 8 – the citizens initiative approved by the people of California in 2008 to protect marriage – is constitutional or not. This is an extremely important case because the question of whether Americans in general have the right to protect traditional marriage will be decided. As such, the March for Marriage is being organized to take place on Tuesday. The March is being organized by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) along with a broad coalition of pro-family organizations and groups, as well as African-American, Latino, Catholic, and Protestant leaders. The Archdiocese of Chicago is encouraging Chicago Catholics to attend the March for Marriage in Washington, D.C.

Patheos.com:

History is coming at us so fast it’s hard to keep up. But we need to remember that this week, above all weeks, is a time for extra prayer and penance. I don’t want to make too much of it, but it seems poignant that so many points of history are converging on this one week. Proponents of traditional marriage are also staging a march in Washington, DC on Tuesday.

ChristianNewsWire:

It is a question that should be addressed this week by the U.S. Supreme Court as oral arguments begin Tuesday, March 26th on California's Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage, followed by arguments on the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which defined marriage for federal government benefits. Coinciding with the opening case will be the "March for Marriage" in D.C. as a show of support for traditional marriage.

Heritage Foundation's The Foundry blog:

"...we have continued to give unique status in law to the union of a man and a woman—the only relationship that produces children—as a permanent, monogamous, and exclusive relationship. We uphold this ideal in the interest of children, of limited, constitutional government, and of America’s future.

That’s a message Heritage will convey at an event today featuring Ryan Anderson, Kellie Fiedorek of the Alliance Defending Freedom, and tea party activist Doug Mainwaring, a gay man committed to maintaining the definition of marriage because of its importance for children. Tomorrow, we’ll be joining many other Americans gathering on the National Mall for the March for Marriage."

CatholicWorldReport:

Supporters of both traditional marriage and same-sex unions will converge on the nation’s capital toward the end of this month as the Supreme Court takes up two cases that could do to marriage what Roe v. Wade did to unborn human life.The National Organization for Marriage is holding a March for Marriage on Tuesday morning, March 26, as the high court hears oral arguments in the first case, a challenge to California’s Proposition 8, which changed that state’s constitution to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Arguments are expected to be heard the next day in a case contesting the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

There is still time for you to participate!

By NOM Staff | Posted in March for Marriage, Media | Comments (2)

Video: What is Marriage Co-Author Anderson Defends Marriage on CNN

March 25, 2013 – 12:00 pm

What is Marriage? Co-author Ryan Anderson of Heritage ably defends marriage on this weekend CNN segment:

By NOM Staff | Posted in Debating Marriage, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (5)

BuzzFeed: Moderate Democrats Walk Back Support for SSM in Face of Electoral Realities

March 25, 2013 – 11:00 am

Props to Buzzfeed for noticing that, while the media focuses on the very few Republicans who have abandoned the GOP platform on marriage, there are prominent Democratic Senators walking back from their previous support of SSM in the wake of recognizing their constituents strongly oppose SSM:

One week after Republican Sen. Rob Portman declared his support for marriage equality, some Democratic senators whose seats might be vulnerable in 2014 are hesitant to do the same — or even talk about the issue at all.

Sens. Kay Hagan, Mary Landrieu, Mark Begich and Mark Pryor, all moderate Democrats who will face fierce reelection battles during the midterm election cycle, either would not state their position on marriage, or declined to comment via their office.

"I am really concerned right now about the budget, about jobs in my state," Hagan, of North Carolina, responded when asked about her stance on marriage equality. Ironically, last year Hagan went on record opposing a same-sex marriage ban in North Carolina, saying it would have "far-reaching negative consequences."

... "I feel very strongly that people should be allowed to love who they love, but unfortunately my state has a very strong ban against gay marriage constitutionally, so I'm going to have to think really carefully and listen to the voters of my state about that issue," said Sen. Mary Landrieu, who hails from Louisiana. "But it's very tough because I think most people believe that people should love who they love."

The offices of Begich and Pryor declined to comment for this story.

... Hagan, Landrieu, Pryor and Begich did not sign on to an amicus brief opposing the Defense of Marriage Act, filed on behalf of Democratic lawmakers to the Supreme Court as it considers the act.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, North Carolina, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

Iowa GOP Chairman Stands Strong for Marriage

March 25, 2013 – 10:00 am

The head of the Iowa GOP is 32-year-old A. J. Spiker, here's what he said about the GOP and marriage:

"While inclusion is important, elected Republicans (we all know the most recent example) and National/State Party leaders who embrace so-called same sex marriage are doing grave harm to our Party and the whole of society. Lets not forget, so-called same sex marriage is an irreconcilable difference with the Republican Party's largest constituency... Committed Christians." (Slate)

By NOM Staff | Posted in Iowa, Marriage, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (1)

Breitbart: Judge Who Threw Out Prop 8 Wanted to Attend Supreme Court to Support Gay Marriage Side

March 25, 2013 – 9:00 am

Emails obtained and posted online highlight the cozy relationship between anti-Prop 8 Judge Walker and lead anti-Prop 8 attorney Ted Olson:

Vaughn R. Walker, retired judge who overturned California's Proposition 8 in 2010, asked attorneys who will be defending same-sex marriage in the Supreme Court next week if he could attend oral arguments, as revealed Friday morning in a series of emails posted by conservative blogger Patrick Frey aka Pattterico.

The emails indicate a friendly relationship between retired judge Vaughn Walker and Ted Olsen, one of the attorneys who argued to overturn Prop 8 in front of Walker.

At the time, there was controversy over whether Walker, who is gay, ought to have recused himself from the case. A federal court ruled in 2011 that he did not have to do so.

The emails were obtained exclusively by Patterico in an unredacted form. Patterico confirmed that the email addresses appeared to be those of Walker and Ted Olsen's law firm but as of his publication, Patterico had not received replies to his requests for comment or confirmation.

... Patterico--who personally supports same-sex marriage but opposes using the courts as a means to that end--believes that the emails give credence to the belief that Walker was not an impartial jurist for Proposition 8. (Breitbart)

By NOM Staff | Posted in California, Law, Marriage, Prop 8, Same Sex Marriage, Supreme Court | Comments (10)

The Day After Tomorrow

March 24, 2013 – 3:59 pm

National Organization for Marriage

National Organization for Marriage

National Organization for Marriage

2013 March for MarriageThe March for Marriage on TwitterThe March for Marriage on FacebookNational Organization for Marriage

Dear Marriage Supporter,

In just two short days, the day after tomorrow, I will have the honor of leading a march of thousands in our nation's capitol to the United States Supreme Court.

Please make an emergency donation right away to help us reach our $500,000 matching gift goal.

Remember, if you donate today, your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar, DOUBLING its impact in the fight to defend marriage!

The upcoming March for Marriage is not an ending, it's a beginning!

NOM will be continuing to fight in the months ahead to make sure politicians, judges and the cultural elites around the country know that the American people believe in marriage as the union of one man and one woman because children have a right to a mother and a father.

This is our winning message that is gaining traction as more voices proclaim its truth!

America is a one part of the global marriage movement. The movement to defend marriage is growing — not only here in the United States where NOM has brought together the broadest coalition of partner organizations ever to participate in this historic march in defense of marriage — but world-wide.

Consider — already this year:

  • in France, just over a month ago, I had the honor of participating in a march that saw over a million people pour into the Paris streets to protest their government's unilateral redefinition of marriage — and today, the French were back out in the streets with even greater numbers, still marching for marriage;

  • in Puerto Rico, shortly after, almost 200,000 people (on an island with less than 4 million people) showed up to demonstrate their support for true marriage;

  • in England, over 600,000 British citizens have signed a petition in support of one man, one woman marriage; and

  • in Australia, a judge recently threw out a legal challenge to the country's definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman.

Perhaps one of the most striking examples came from Argentina in 2010, when Pope Francis, then Archbishop of Buenos Aires, helped turn out hundreds of thousands for a march for marriage and spoke powerfully in defense of marriage against the government's attempt to redefine marriage.

This is a nascent, growing, global movement to protect the sanctity of marriage — which is the only social institution that connects parents and children.

Marriage Supporter, will you stand with this ever expanding coalition of marriage supporters of all faiths, traditions, countries, cultures and backgrounds by making a gift of $35, $50, $100 or $500 or more to NOM today?

Marriage is under attack. But so many good people like you are standing up to defend it. And more are joining us every day! Please stand with NOM once again by supporting our work to protect marriage and the faith communities that sustain it.

We are at the beginning of a new chapter in the movement to protect marriage. Thank you.

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, March for Marriage, Same Sex Marriage, Washington DC | Comments (28)

Photos: Hundreds of Thousands Marching in Paris Again!

March 24, 2013 – 12:00 pm

"Le Manif Pour Tous" ("The Rally for All") is taking place in Paris, France right now, with hundreds of thousands marching:

You can follow live updates of what is happening here.

Meanwhile, their American friends gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. yesterday and sent us this photo with the message: "We will be there!" (i.e. at our March for Marriage this Tuesday!):

On Tuesday, it's our turn to march for marriage!

By NOM Staff | Posted in France, March for Marriage, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (7)

NPR: 'Severing Love From Diapers': The Other Case Against Gay Marriage

March 24, 2013 – 11:00 am

National Public Radio discovers the secular arguments against SSM -- a good thing!:

Gay marriage opponents say they're protecting women and children first.

When the Supreme Court hears oral arguments about same-sex marriage next week, much of the debate will turn on legal questions surrounding issues such as federalism and due process.

But the underlying questions are more emotional, with moral objections frequently raised by members of the faith community.

"I believe marriage will be between a man and a woman," says Ruben Diaz, a minister in the Church of God and a Democratic state senator from New York who plans to demonstrate outside the court next week. "It's as simple as that."

But there are secular arguments against gay marriage, as well. Its opponents believe that redefining marriage to allow two men or two women to wed each other will weaken an institution set up across centuries and societies to protect women when they are pregnant and ensure that children's fathers take responsibility for them.

"If the law redefines marriage to say that fathers are optional, then it's hard to make the argument that fathers are essential," says Ryan T. Anderson, a fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation.

...Allowing gay couples to marry, he says, weakens the power of marriage as a coercive force for procreating couples. And gays can secure the rights they need, such as hospital visitations and inheritance issues, through other changes in the law, Anderson says.

"Marriage doesn't have to do all of the work we need to do to do good public policy," he adds.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Debating Marriage, Marriage, Media, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

Stanton: Pediatrics Association’s Support for SSM Rooted in Activism

March 24, 2013 – 9:00 am

Glenn Stanton at CitizenLink:

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued what appears to be a politically motivated statement suggesting that children raised by same-sex parents do just fine. In fact, the AAP goes so far as to suggest that children are more affected by the health of the relationship between the people raising them than by whether they are being raised by their own mother and father.

...To be clear, this recent announcement is not science, but propaganda rooted in social activism regarding the family, which is the foundational unit of humanity. That such a credentialed and well-known organization would play politics with this issue should grieve all of those who are committed to the integrity of science when it comes to the future of our children. Their well-being and health is far too important an issue to play politics with, especially of such a radical nature.

The AAP would be well-advised to stick to what the reliable and time-tested body of research tells us about what kinds of families promote the robust array of child-health: a family where children are raised by their mother and father who are in the midst of a healthy marriage.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Parenting, Politics, Research/Study | Comments (12)

NOM's Peters: Kids are Central to the Marriage Debate

March 23, 2013 – 3:00 pm

NOM's Thomas Peters spoke with NPR this week explaining the central role children must have in the marriage debate:

Surveys suggest that kids younger than 18 in same-sex families still number fewer than a quarter-million.

"It's a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent," says Thomas Peters of the National Organization for Marriage, a leading group opposing same-sex marriage.

"The difference is that children raised by gay parents are very much in the media's eye," he says. "We see it on Modern Family. We see this hugely blown out of proportion. It's why, by the way, in Gallup [polls], Americans believe that a third to a fourth of Americans are gay."

In fact, studies estimate that it's more like 3 percent to 4 percent. And Peters argues that the media image of gay marriage's impact is misleading. [...]

...Still, children are making their own heartfelt case.

Eleven-year-old Grace Evans, with her long hair in a braid, testified this month as Minnesota lawmakers considered legalizing same-sex marriage.

"I want to ask you this question: Which parent do I not need — my mom or my dad?" she said. She looked up from her paper to a long silence.

And a teen who testified against gay marriage in Maryland last year received online death threats. But Peters says kids are central to this debate.

"As long as the marriage conversation remains focused on, generationally, what's best for children, I think America will find the right way forward," he says.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Debating Marriage, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (41)

American College of Pediatricians: Traditional Family Best for Kids

March 23, 2013 – 2:00 pm

A statement by the American College of Pediatricians in response to the AAP:

“The American College of Pediatricians reaffirms that the intact, functional family consisting of a married (female) mother and (male) father provides the best opportunity for children. The College, therefore, disputes the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) claim that supporting same-sex unions promotes the “well-being of children.” In its newly released statement, “Promoting the Well-Being of Children Whose Parents Are Gay or Lesbian,” the AAP ignores important research on risks to children in favor of the wants of adults.

“The College does not support the alteration of this time-honored and proven standard to conform to pressures from “politically correct” groups. No one concerned with the well-being of children can reasonably ignore the evidence for maintaining the current standard, nor can they or we ignore the equally strong evidence that harm to children can result if the current standards are rejected,” says Den Trumbull, MD, President of the American College of Pediatricians.  “The AAP ignores generations of evidence of health risks to children in advocating for the legality and legitimacy of same-sex marriage and child-rearing.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Parenting, Research/Study | Comments (20)

Regnerus on AAP: We Should be Skeptic About Denying Children Their Right to a Mother and Father

March 23, 2013 – 1:00 pm

Mark Regnerus reacts to the news of the AAP's political decision to endorse SSM:

I’m neither surprised at the statement by the American Academy of Pediatrics endorsing gay marriage nor at its timing. Whether the statement adequately captures the consensus of pediatricians across the country is, of course, unknown. The report points out the strengths and weaknesses of the social science in this area, and notes correctly that causal arguments here are very difficult to make. The science on same-sex parenting remains comparatively new, unable to keep up with political and legal developments. But those few population-based studies that exist — that map what’s going on across the country — seem to foster skepticism about moving quickly or universally to deny children their right to a mom and a dad. It’s not a popular position, of course. In the end, we all want children to thrive. Many organizations and scholars assert that same-sex marriage is a step toward that end, ensuring household stability. Others remain skeptical, and wonder whether this isn’t more about parents’ wishes than those of children.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Children, Parenting, Research/Study | Comments (21)

NOM's Peters: GOP Not Caving on Defense of Marriage

March 23, 2013 – 12:00 pm

NOM's Thomas Peters was interviewed by the National Catholic Register about the recent media-generated meme that the GOP is abandoning marriage:

Thomas Peters, a spokesman for the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), the largest U.S. advocacy group defending traditional marriage, suggested that media reports have overstated the Republican Party’s fracturing on marriage.

Peters, who is Catholic, noted that five of the six Republican presidential candidates in 2012 signed NOM’s pro-marriage pledge, and the one who did not — Huntsman — ended his run early, after finishing third in the New Hampshire Primary.

“It’s about how many people buy into the media narrative that they’re trying to create,” said Peters, who attended last week’s Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington.

...“When a Republican decides to come out in favor of gay marriage, when they are staring at the lights of the media cameras, their grassroots supporters are quietly going out the back door,” said Peters, who argued that it remains difficult for Republicans who endorse same-sex “marriage” to keep their seats.Peters added that Portman could lose his seat and that his reversal on same-sex “marriage” had weakened any presidential aspirations he may have had.

Asked Peters, “If the media is so interested in Republicans who disagree with their party’s platform on marriage, then why don’t they tell the stories of conservative Democrats who disagree with their party’s platform on marriage and abortion?”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (31)

3 Days To Change History!

March 23, 2013 – 11:57 am

National Organization for Marriage

National Organization for Marriage

National Organization for Marriage

2013 March for MarriageThe March for Marriage on TwitterThe March for Marriage on FacebookNational Organization for Marriage

Dear Marriage Supporter,

There are only three days left until NOM, our 40+ coalition partners and thousands of marchers descend on the capitol!

And that means there are only three days left for us to realize the entirety of the $500,000 matching gift pledged by a heroic defender of marriage.

As one of NOM's supporters, you have taken action whenever marriage has been threatened and been a part of our regular victories over the "impossible" and "inevitable" same-sex marriage movement. With your help, we have won tremendous victories for marriage in recent years in California, North Carolina, and many other states.

That's why Thursday, USA Today called NOM the "tip of the spear" of the "diverse coalition" of groups dedicated to preserving marriage as the union of one man and one woman. That's why yesterday's New York Times profiled us as fighting with "zeal and strategy."

But now I need to ask you to invest financially in this fight. If everyone reading this email were to give $10, we would easily meet our goal.

Battles are heating up in deep blue states like Illinois, Minnesota and Rhode Island right as the Supreme Court is preparing to hear two landmark cases.

Will you help us by making an immediate donation to help NOM ramp up our efforts to defend marriage in the days leading up to the pending, historic Supreme Court cases next week?

And if you donate right away, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar, DOUBLING the impact and effectiveness of your contribution.

We are only $90,000 short of our goal as of this morning. We have three days to raise that amount and realize the full $500,000 matching gift pledge.

Will you stand with us once again by making a donation right away?

More than ever, marriage needs dedicated champions in the days to come... champions who will stand courageously and faithfully in its defense. Please join me and prove that you are a champion for marriage.

By Brian Brown | Posted in Alerts, March for Marriage, Same Sex Marriage, Washington DC | Comments (3)

U.S. Bishops Asked Catholics to Fast for the March for Marriage

March 23, 2013 – 10:30 am

CatholicWorldNews:

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has asked Catholics to offer their fasting and abstinence from meat on March 22 “for all who will march in the March for Marriage on Tuesday, or join spiritually from a distance, that they may witness boldly to the truth of marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”

Quoting the future Pope Francis, a USCCB flyer added that “at stake is the identity and survival of the family: father, mother and children. At stake are the lives of children who will be discriminated against in advance, and deprived of their human development given by a father and a mother and willed by God.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Catholic Church, March for Marriage | Comments (7)
Home NOM Blog Donate Advocacy Center
Copyright 2013