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NOM BLOG

Robert Oscar Lopez on the "Soul-Crushing, Scorched-Earth Battle for Gay Marriage"

August 15, 2012 at 12:00 pm

Robert Oscar Lopez on daring to tell his story about being raised by a gay parent:

"...Since my article came out, I have been through far worse than I ever thought would happen. My job is at risk, and worst of all, my coworkers received an e-mail from a gay rights organization with the title "COMPLAINT AGAINST CSUN'S ROBERT LOPEZ: GAY BASHER." Soon I got e-mails from administrators. People really investigate claims like this.

Gay basher?

What the heck has this movement come to?

For God's sake, I am a bisexual raised by a lesbian couple, who helped countless people dying of AIDS. I've spent my life cleaning up the messes left by gay politics. I wrote an honest essay. That's bashing?

The gay marriage movement has finally crossed the line into insanity. They must burn their own villages to save them from their phantasmal bullies. All the real things that gays could do to improve their real problems are right before their eyes: be humane to one another, forgive others, care for their most needy, and most of all, pick their battles. Support pro-life politicians and adopt foster kids saved from abortion. Vote for Republicans who believe in school vouchers, get bullied gays into safer schools... But they choose not to. They have dedicated themselves to a scorched-earth campaign for gay marriage. And when that war is won, they will have conquered a wasteland. I wonder what Eliot would have to say." -- The American Thinker

By NOM Staff | Posted in Civility, Culture, Free Speech, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (9)

CBN News: NOM Calls for Chick-fil-A Wednesdays!

August 15, 2012 at 11:45 am

CBN News:

Piggybacking off the success of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," the National Organization for Marriage is calling on Americans to support traditional marriage by eating at the chicken sandwich chain every Wednesday through the November election.

Chick-fil-A has taken flap after its president Dan Cathy publicly voiced his support of traditional marriage.

Gay rights activists and other opponents are now working to ban the restaurant because of Cathy's conservative stance.

Over the weekend, Texas governor and former GOP presidential candidate Rick Perry also chimed in on the controversy, telling a group of Iowa conservatives that "political correctness has to stop."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Media | Comments Off

Republican Who Opposed Minnesota Marriage Amendment Loses 2-1 in GOP Primary

August 15, 2012 at 11:30 am

Good news out of Minnesota, which had its primary yesterday. State Rep. Steve Smith, the longest serving Republican in the Minnesota House, saw his career end as challenger Cindy Pugh overcame him by more than a 2-1.

Smith voted against the Minnesota Marriage Amendment, and went down in defeat to his pro-marriage challenger 29%-70%.

Here's what Pugh told a reporter when asked some time ago what differentiated her from her opponent:

"I would have voted to place the marriage amendment on the ballot because marriage is between one man and one woman and to retain the right of Minnesotans to vote on such an important matter."

Looks like the Republican voters in Minnesota House district 33B agreed with Pugh (who was also endorsed by the Minnesota Family Council). Congrats to her!

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

"Bachelorette" Star Ryan Bowers Tweets Support for Chick-fil-A, "Sanctity of Marriage"

August 15, 2012 at 11:00 am

"Bachelorette" star Ryan Bowers tweeted his support for Chick-fil-A and the "sanctity of marriage" on the Appreciation Day:

"Everyone is eating at chik fil-a today to support the Kathy family and their stand for the sanctity of marriage!!! Lv it!"

He went on to tweet:

I love people. Their sin is no worse than my own. I'm just willing to recognize mine and work to please my savior 🙂

And:

Obedience to Christ doesn't equate to judgement. Love the sinner just not the sin. Not always easy.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Culture, Free Speech, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (2)

SSM and the Manufacture of Consent

August 15, 2012 at 10:00 am

Doug Mainwaring and Stella Morabito in the Washington Examiner about the constant attempt to shift public opinion on marriage through misleading polling:

"Polling data is easily manufactured through intensive campaigns by special interests such as the gay marriage lobby. Such data are then publicized and repeated to create a false illusion of collective belief. This is known as an "opinion cascade."

White House regulatory czar Cass Sunstein and economist Timur Kuran once wrote a Stanford Law Review article on this topic, referring to a cascade as "a self-reinforcing process of collective belief formation by which an expressed perception triggers a chain reaction that gives the perception increasing plausibility through its rising availability in public discourse."

Poll numbers, celebrity endorsements, politically correct media hype and other forces work together to shut up those who disagree with same-sex marriage and to construct an illusion of much broader support than exists. Once individuals perceive social punishment for expressing a dissenting view, they often clam up, and thereby aid the cascade. But such a process creates fragile support."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Marriage, Maryland, Polling, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (12)

Maryland Democrat City Council Member Supports New Chick-fil-A Store

August 15, 2012 at 9:30 am

The Washington Times:

The decision whether to eat at Chick-fil-A has become a hot-button issue since the fast food company’s president opened up about his support for traditional marriage, but one local politician says she’s not making a political statement by welcoming the company with open arms.

Prince George's County Council member Karen R. Toles, a Democrat, said she’s attending the opening of a Chick-fil-A in District Heights on Thursday to celebrate the economic development in her community.

“When you have someone who hires over 100 people from your county alone, that is something to celebrate,” Ms. Toles said.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Maryland | Comments (2)

Christian Post: Black Bishop Encourages Christians to Leave Democratic Party Over Rejection of Traditional Family

August 15, 2012 at 9:00 am

The Christian Post:

"A black Virginia bishop is calling for Christians to leave the Democratic Party over what he describes as a "cult-like devotion" to abortion and what he terms as a "rejection" of the traditional family.

Bishop E.W. Jackson, a veteran of the Marine Corps and Harvard Law graduate, says the Democrats' enslavement of some Americans, most notably black Americans, is the modern day equivalent of slavery and his focus is to lead an exodus, similar to what Moses did in the Old Testament.

"Let God's people go," Jackson told The Christian Post in a telephone interview.

"Clearly, the Democratic Party is the anti-Christian Party in this nation. They reject the Bible, what Bible-believing Christians embrace and they encourage the growth of what we can a 'non-traditional' family. That is morally wrong and a disgrace to our nation and our Lord," said Jackson."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage, Marriage Election Watch, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage, United for Marriage, Virginia | Comments (8)

Chick-fil-A Opens New Store in Kansas, Hundreds Turn Up

August 15, 2012 at 8:30 am

The Franchise-Herald:

Following the Chick-fil-A anti-gay marriage controversy that surrounded the fast food chain last month, Chick-fil-A appears to not be slowing down and opened a new west Wichita, Kansas.More than a hundred people woke up early Wednesday morning to line up outside the store for the chance to get a year's worth of free Chick-fil-A.

All those who showed up Wednesday morning got a number and then a raffle was held to choose 100 people plus ten alternates. Those people have to camp out for 24 hours in order to get their reward, according to KAKE News.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Kansas | Comments (2)

Ed Whelan on Hawaii Judge Finding No Right to Same-Sex Marriage

August 15, 2012 at 8:00 am

Legal expert Ed Whelan comments on the good news for marriage out of Hawaii:

Via William Duncan at the Corner, I’ve learned of this strong and sound ruling yesterday in Hawaii by senior federal district judge Alan C. Kay holding that there is no federal constitutional right to same-sex marriage. Judge Kay determines (slip op. at 35-43) that the claim for such a right is foreclosed by the Supreme Court’s 1972 decision in Baker v. Nelson. Alternatively, properly applying rational-basis review and judicial restraint, he finds that such claim fails on the merits.

Because the proper exercise of rational-basis review has been so rare of late in the marriage context, I’m going to briefly outline Judge Kay’s reasoning... [continue reading]

By NOM Staff | Posted in Hawaii, Law, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage, Supreme Court | Comments (1)

Announcing Chick-fil-A Wednesdays!

August 14, 2012 at 2:15 pm

Dear Marriage Supporter,

It was a historic day, for Chick-fil-A and for marriage supporters alike.

The tremendous outpouring of support for the Cathy family and their stand for marriage on August 1st, Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, was simply astounding! Hundreds upon hundreds of emails continue pouring into our office, each with a new word of encouragement, a photo from Chick-fil-A, or a story about how people cheerfully stood in line for more than an hour to show their support, chatting in line with newfound friends about the importance of marriage and free speech, or even breaking out into an impromptu rendition of "God Bless America!"

Because of the groundbreaking significance of Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day—and because the attacks on Dan Cathy and his freedom to speak out in defense of marriage aren't going away—we're calling on all supporters of marriage, free speech and religious liberty to make every Wednesday a "Chick-fil-A Wednesday!"

I am profoundly grateful to Gov. Mike Huckabee for his leadership in sponsoring and promoting last week's "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day." No politician has the right to discriminate against private business owners simply because they believe what God says about marriage.

At my own local Chick-fil-A here in Philadelphia, I was struck how the turnout reflected the breadth and diversity of support for marriage in our community. Blacks, whites and Hispanics, Catholics and evangelicals—all coming together in a unified show of support for a good man who dared to speak out about the meaning of marriage.

This was an important moment for America. Even the media was forced to acknowledge the amazing turnout as hundreds of thousands lined up at Chick-fil-A stores across the nation.

But I think the media missed the most important part of the day.

While Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day sent an important message to company president Dan Cathy (and to the liberal activists trying to shut his company down), it sent an equally important message to the hundreds of thousands of supporters who showed up: "You are not alone."

This important day was a cultural turning point as hundreds of thousands of Americans realized just how many of their neighbors share their support for marriage. In today's media-saturated culture, it's easy for marriage supporters to feel as if they are all alone, isolated outposts standing for the truth against aggressive forces determined to coerce them into silence. But for one day at least, these silent thousands were unified, reminded that we are not just a remnant—we are a majority.

I know that at the end of the day, the American people will put aside their differences and stand up for marriage.

And that is why I'm urging you to continue your support for Chick-fil-A every Wednesday through the remainder of 2012. We're calling them "Chick-fil-A Wednesdays."

The attacks on Dan Cathy and Chick-fil-A aren't going away. And we will continue to stand strong in solidarity with anyone who feels pressured by the gay marriage bullies.

Here's what you can do:

Take the Chick-fil-A Wednesdays Pledge! Join the Chick-fil-A Wednesdays community on Facebook to show your support for Dan Cathy, for marriage and free speech, and for your fellow Americans who believe in marriage like you do: use this page to remind yourself and one another that we are not alone!
Look for events and opportunities to take your business to Chick-fil-A, especially on Wednesdays. Whether it's a church catering event, a political meeting or a weekly Bible study, look for opportunities to support Chick-fil-A with your fast-food dollars.
Keep up your support! Have you thanked Dan Cathy for his brave stand in support of marriage? If you haven't, be sure to send him a note at ThankChickfilA.com! Share this page with your friends and let's make sure that Mr. Cathy and Chick-fil-A—as well as the gay marriage radicals who would silence him—know how very many Americans support his position and his right to publicly express it!
Spread the word! Join our "Chick-fil-A Wednesdays" Facebook page. Share it with your friends (share this email too!) and let's start building a community of solidarity and support for marriage and for freedom of speech.

Together we can build on the momentum created last week, establishing new relationships and building bridges that will help to preserve marriage for our children's and grandchildren's generations!

By Brian Brown | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (32)

Austin Ruse on Why Chick-fil-A is Important for the Pro-Marriage Revolution

August 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm

Austin Ruse writes at The Catholic Thing about what Chick-fil-A did for both sides of the marriage debate.

Their side:

"It’s like they saw us for the very first time.

They have heard about us. They certainly talk about us enough. They psychoanalyze us. They mock us. But they never really see us.

They know we may turn elections, even elections about marriage and even in liberal states. This is a puzzle to them because they certainly don’t know any of us on the Upper West Side of Manhattan or the Hollywood Hills.Perhaps they thought we were an embarrassment from the past, cringe-inducing folks from back home, odd ducks living down dusty roads, dangerous creatures living in malarial fever-swamps.

But they saw us last week lined up by the millions waiting sometimes hours to buy chicken sandwiches. We celebrated the day in our joyful, quiet, and respectful way – and it profoundly freaked them out. Rachel Held Evans is a left-wing Christian blogger..."

Our side:

"...And so this whole episode was important. We came out in droves. We came out by the millions and we voted with a buck and a cluck. Normal people. Not hate-filled bigots. It was a quadruple victory. First, we won. Second, they lost. Third, they know they lost. And fourth, they really saw us for the first time.

Perhaps as important as them seeing us for the first time is that we also saw ourselves. Face it: this issue can be lonely, lonely in the workplace, in popular culture, lonely among friends, lonely even among family.

Our opponents like it that way. They want us alone, isolated and defeated. They harp on the inevitability argument and it is quite effective. But last week the tables were turned. Last week we weren’t so alone were we? We were huge and didn’t it feel amazing? Didn’t you shyly smile at others in line, like we knew a secret? Well, it’s not a secret anymore.

Whoever thought that “Eat Mor Chikin” would become a secret password and a rallying cry for Western Civilization?"

By NOM Staff | Posted in Civility, Culture, Free Speech, Marriage, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

Video: Gay Liberation Network Taunts Priest Praying Rosary Outside Chick-fil-A Inbox

August 14, 2012 at 12:00 pm

This video of a Catholic priest in Chicago praying a rosary while walking with a group of Gay Liberation Network protestors outside a Chick-fil-A in Chicago is making the rounds. Look what happens:

At one point they tell him: "We don't want tolerance, we want equality."

By NOM Staff | Posted in Chick-fil-A, Civility, Culture, Illinois, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (37)

Baptist Press: Chick-fil-A May Influence Gay Marriage Votes This Fall

August 14, 2012 at 11:00 am

The Baptist Press:

In a sign that the debate over Chick-fil-A is not going away, traditional groups in the four states voting on gay marriage this fall apparently are set to make the pushback against the restaurant an issue, arguing that the intimidation and name-calling aimed at Chick-fil-A were only a preview of what will happen to traditionalists if marriage is redefined.

In recent days pro-traditional marriage groups in Maine and Washington state have sent emails to supporters referencing the Chick-fil-A controversy, with one of them warning "there will be profound consequences" if gay marriage is legalized. The National Organization for Marriage, a national group working in all four states to defend the traditional definition of marriage, also has referenced Chick-fil-A in multiple emails, saying in the latest one, "Let's bring the Chick-Fil-A crowds to the polls in November!"

Maine, Washington and Maryland are voting in November on whether to legalize gay marriage, while voters in Minnesota will decide whether to amend the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. A victory for gay marriage supporters in any of them would be landmark, as the issue has lost in all 32 states where it's been on the ballot.

The emails reference pushback against Chick-fil-A by the mayors of Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C. and San Francisco.

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

Video: Chicago Chick-fil-A Kiss-In Protesters "Chalk" & Harass Homeless Person

August 14, 2012 at 10:00 am

Anne Sorock of Legal Insurrection writes:

I attended Friday night’s “Kiss-in” protest outside the only Chick-fil-A location in Chicago. The small group of between twenty to thirty protesters gathered outside the restaurant around 7pm. A few same-sex couples took the opportunity to kiss in public, as the protest organizers encouraged attendees to do on their facebook page.

I asked many of the protesters whether they agreed with Alderman Moreno’s actions; the reactions were mixed. Some agreed — one woman told me she took a “European view” of our Constitutional Rights — while others felt he was in the wrong despite agreeing with him in a general sense.

While there, a group formed around an elderly African-American homeless man, who was reading his bible while seated along a fence rail off to the side of the protest. Some in the group confronted the man, who was reading the bible aloud, and engaged him in theological debates. A few others took the opportunity to mock the man, which I captured on video:

Nearing the end of the protest, someone from the group wrote on the sidewalk in front of the homeless man, “He’s Really Gay Deep Down,” with an arrow pointed to where he was seated.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Civility, Illinois, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (11)

Jerry Newcombe on Chick-fil-A and Orwellian Times

August 14, 2012 at 9:00 am

Jerry Newcombe, author of 23 books, writes in the Christian Post about media bias and Chick-fil-A:

"...In some ways, the culture wars are ultimately a conflict between a biblically-based worldview versus that of secular humanism. And the dominant media expresses the latter.

It took a former Marxist, who used the pen name George Orwell, to write one of the greatest novels against totalitarianism, which would include the subset of secular humanism. I understand Orwell wrote his novel in 1948 and simply transposed the last two digits to describe his nightmare vision of the future---1984---where the Marxists have complete control in society.

In this terrible scenario, Big Brother with his big bushy mustache rules with an iron fist. (It's easy to see how he had Stalin in mind as Big Brother.) On behalf of the exalted ruler, the thought police control everything. In the novel, the "Department of Truth" works around the clock to change truth into lies. In 1984, war is peace. Everything is turned on its head.

I could see how Friday night's event (the protest of Chick-fil-A) was news. But not Wednesday's big-day of support? Their busiest day ever was not news, but some 30-40 protesters garners major media attention?"