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AP on NOM's Dump Starbucks Campaign

March 22, 2012 at 12:30 pm

The Associated Press quotes our co-founder Maggie Gallagher:

Following a shareholders' meeting of the Seattle-based coffee giant on Wednesday, the Washington, D.C.-based National Organization for Marriage announced a "Dump Starbucks" protest.

The group says it will place ads throughout the country, as well as in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, urging consumers to boycott the company. The group is supporting a referendum effort to overturn a recently passed law legalizing same-sex marriage in Washington state.

... [Starbucks CEO Howard] Schultz was asked by three shareholders about the company's stance, with one asking: "Is it prudent to risk the economic interests of all the shareholders for something that might affect the private lives of a very small percentage of our employees?"

... Maggie Gallagher, co-founder of NOM, said the main focus of the group's protest is to make sure Starbucks knows that not all of their customers agree with their philosophy on gay marriage. Gallagher said that in addition to ads, the plan is to have customers call Starbucks managers around the state to let them know how they feel.

"We would be satisfied if, in the future, they would refrain from entering in these hot-button moral issues," she said.

Sign the petition at www.DumpStarbucks.com right now!

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Dump Starbucks | Comments (22)

WaPo: Michelle Obama's Comments on SCOTUS Sow More Confusion

March 22, 2012 at 12:00 pm

The Washington Post's Plum Line blog:

"...The First Lady [said at a fundraiser last night] that Obama’s appointees to the Supreme Court will uphold the right to “love whomever we choose.”

Though her aides say she has said this before, gay rights advocates are seizing on the language for the first time. One prominent advocate, Richard Socarides, says the language will be received as code for saying that Obama’s Supreme Court appointees will uphold the right to gay marriage. Several cases involving gay marriage may be headed for the highest court, so to advocates, Ms. Obama’s language seems telling.

But the First Lady has repeatedly denied backing marriage equality. And a campaign official insists to me the new language isn’t significant."

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage, Marriage Election Watch, Politics, President Obama, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (17)

Thanks, Pro-SSM Activist, For Convincing Someone to Dump Starbucks!

March 22, 2012 at 11:30 am

Yesterday, Fox News Nation re-posted part of our press release announcing our campaign --and we're grateful!-- but I want to focus on a revealing exchange that took place in the comments. One pro-SSM activist posted this:

currenti: How many people who were regular customers are actually going to boycott Starbucks based on a website created by a certified hate group?

But someone quickly responded:

I_Vote: I cannot believe you actually said it out loud -- people who believe in traditional marriage are certified "haters."  I'm a Starbucks customer, but since reading your comment I think NOM deserves a visit from me.

For the record, NOM is not a "certified hate group".

But we appreciate "currenti" for pointing out how much is at stake in this fight -- lovers of free speech and fair discourse are welcome to join us, too!

Thomas Peters
By Thomas Peters | Posted in Dump Starbucks | Comments (14)

California Democrats Offer to Help Impose San Francisco Values on North Carolina Voters

March 22, 2012 at 11:00 am

Via LGBT Point of View:

Statement of California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton on President Obama’s Opposition to Discriminatory Same-Sex Marriage Ban in North Carolina:

California Democrats proudly support President Obama for taking a stand against a divisive ballot amendment that seeks to codify discrimination against same-sex couples into North Carolina’s constitution.

As Democrats across the nation make plans to gather in Charlotte, North Carolina for the 2012 Democratic National Convention, it’s imperative that we send a clear and united message against all such efforts that seek to divide Americans and enshrine discrimination. California Democrats stand ready to help and we will soon be in touch with ways that Democrats here can start getting the word out to voters in North Carolina about the need to defeat Amendment One.

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in California, Marriage, North Carolina, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (4)

PolitickerNY: NOM "Avenged Carl Kruger’s Despicable Vote" on SSM

March 22, 2012 at 10:30 am

PolitickerNY:

National Organization for Marriage, which spent more than $25,000 on independent expenditures for Republican candidate David Storobin in his tight special election last night, is cheering his narrow 120 vote lead for the State Senate in southeastern Brooklyn.

“One thing is certain—supporting same-sex marriage is a loser,” the president of the organization, Brian Brown, said in a statement today. He then referenced Congressman Bob Turner’s upset special election victory last summer over Democratic Assemblyman David Weprin, noting, “This election marks the second consecutive one where a supporter of same-sex marriage was defeated.”

...Mr. Brown sees the anti-gay marriage message extending well beyond Brooklyn in New York State.

“We have avenged Carl Kruger’s despicable vote for same-sex marriage. Mark Grisanti, Roy McDonald and James Alesi will be next,” he added, referring to the Republican State Senators facing competitive primaries Upstate this year.

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

Heritage Blog: Institution of Marriage Defended Throughout the Nation

March 22, 2012 at 10:00 am

The Heritage's Foundry blog overviews recent developments in the fight to protect marriage:

The institution of marriage has seen better days in America. The question now is how Americans will think about, shape, and participate in marriage going forward. Will Americans seek to strengthen marriage, including through laws and policies that promote the public goods of responsible childbearing and the faithfulness of husbands and wives to each other and their dependent children? Or, will Americans reject the traditional understanding of marriage and replace it with mere government recognition of whatever private arrangements two or more people wish to make?

... As the debate about marriage continues, increasing numbers of Americans will be forced to confront and decide fundamental issues of law, morality, and culture. On the one side of this debate is the view that marriage as one man and one woman is a form of institutionalized bigotry no better than racism. In this view, it is unjust for the state not to bless same-sex unions with both the benefits and label of “marriage.” Private institutions and individuals who object to facilitating or expressing moral support for same-sex marriage could face potential civil liability and discrimination in access to government benefits. Too often, those who disagree with redefining marriage are also subject to public derision and even threats, intimidation, and other harms.

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage, Marriage Election Watch, Politics, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (4)

UK MP: "I Can Handle Death Threats, But Gay Marriage Threatens Freedom of Speech"

March 22, 2012 at 9:00 am

David Burrowes, Conservative MP for Enfield Southgate:

The consultation about how to redefine marriage is something of a surprise: prior to the announcement last October, I did not receive one letter, email or tweet demanding a change in the law.

The greatest demand has come from the ‘Coalition for Marriage’ which in just three weeks has amassed 200,000 supporters of the current definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

I have also received a demand from some to not speak up for marriage. Hate filled messages of bigotry, intolerance, and violent threats (including death) have strengthened my position that this debate is as much about freedom for people to express their belief as it is about equality.

...Another surprise is that already before a law change we have marriage being segregated between the concepts of 'civil marriage' and 'religious marriage'. I don't recall ever being invited to a 'civil' or 'religious' marriage but this is the new word play being constructed to redefine marriage. Whether a marriage takes place in your local registry office or church, the concept of marriage is a unified one - until now.

... As an MP I have broad shoulders and will not be intimidated by threats in expressing my views. However, I fear for other people’s freedoms if marriage is redefined; where teachers are being told what they should not only think but teach - even if it goes against their conscience. Teachers will be reading Orwell with new meaning. -- UK Telegraph

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Free Speech, Marriage, Same Sex Marriage, United Kingdom | Comments (7)

Local NWCN: R-74 Supporters "Revving Up" Petitions to Preserve Marriage

March 22, 2012 at 8:00 am

Local King 5 News:

More than 120,000 signatures are needed by June 6 to get Referendum 74 on the ballot. If that happens, the law is put on hold until after the election. On the ballot in November, voters would decide either yes or no on gay marriage.

Opponents say they think they will be able to get the needed signatures.

... According to the Herald, Joseph Backholm, executive director of the Family Policy Institute of Washington, said petitions were printed Wednesday and will be circulated Thursday. Backholm said they don't plan on hiring signature gatherers because they already have 4,000 people who have asked to circulate the petitions.

Learn more at www.PreserveMarriageWashington.com.

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

Bill Introduced to Restore Religious Freedom to Chaplains Post-DADT

March 22, 2012 at 7:00 am

WorldNetDaily:

A congressman who has introduced legislation to restore religious freedom to military chaplains says Barack Obama’s decision to permit open homosexuality in the armed forces has created an unconstitutional divide that protects the rights of supporters of homosexuality but disciplines adherents to biblical standards of behavior.

“When President Obama put his hand on the Bible and swore to uphold the constitutionally protected rights of all Americans, no exception was made against those in the military,” U.S. Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., said in a statement on his website.

...“Whether it is expressing the tenets of one’s faith on the issue of marriage or abortion or contraception, it is a violation of the most fundamental of rights – the free exercise of religion – to coerce a chaplain to act in contravention of the tenets of his faith.”

... Obama’s “new policy takes sides between a minority of military chaplains who have no moral objections to homosexual conduct, and the majority of chaplains who do,” the analysis says. “Absent congressional action, constitutional rights of conscience will be protected for one group but not the other.”

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Congress, Marriage, Politics, Religious Liberty, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (11)

NOM Announces International Protest of Starbucks

March 21, 2012 at 9:58 pm

Dump Starbucks

Dear Marriage Supporter,

We are urging consumers across the globe to "Dump Starbucks" because the massive international corporation has taken a corporate-wide position that marriage between one man and one woman should be eliminated and that same-sex marriage should become the norm.

As such, Starbucks has declared it will use its influence and resources in a culture war against at least half its US customers, and against the vast majority of its international consumers who do not share Starbucks' position.

On January 24, 2012, the Starbucks corporation issued a memorandum to all "US Partners" declaring that same-sex marriage "is aligned with Starbucks business practices" and "is core to who we are and what we value as a company."

In addition to declaring its corporate-wide position in support of gay marriage, Starbucks also used its resources to participate in a legal case seeking to overturn a federal law declaring marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

In taking these actions, Starbucks has declared a culture war on all people of faith (and millions of others) who believe that the institution of marriage as one man and one woman is worth preserving.

NOM does not take this step lightly.

Unlike our opponents, we would never take action against a corporation because of the statements of one of its executives. However, Starbucks has declared gay marriage to be a corporate value and has intentionally inserted itself into the debate. Furthermore, NOM officials attended a meeting of the Board of Directors of Starbuck to bring this issue to their attention, and they did nothing.

This is why we must urge all consumers to "dump Starbucks," as well as Seattle's Best Coffee and Evolution Fresh juices, which are owned by Starbucks.

Dump Starbucks

A portion of every cup of coffee purchased at a Starbucks anywhere in the world goes to fund this corporate assault on marriage. Voters in thirty US states have voted to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman. No state vote has ever supported gay marriage.

In many areas of the world where Starbucks does business, the concept of "gay marriage" is unheard of and deeply offensive to cultural, moral and religious values. We urge consumers across the globe to join the "Dump Starbucks" campaign.

By going to www.dumpstarbucks.com, you can sign our petition, and take action to contact Starbucks directly. You can also see places near you where you can buy coffee rather than patronize Starbucks. Let your local Starbucks manager and the corporate leadership know that you've joined the Dump Starbucks campaign, and tell them where you'll be going instead to buy coffee.

Please sign the Dump Starbucks petition to register your protest of Starbucks waging a culture war against its customers who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.

Brian Brown
By Brian Brown | Posted in Dump Starbucks, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (117)

NOM Disappointed in New Hampshire House Failure to Enact Compromise Legislation

March 21, 2012 at 6:17 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2012

Contact: Anath Hartmann or Elizabeth Ray (703-683-5004)

"We will hold legislators accountable for their votes today." —Brian Brown, NOM President—

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, DC — The following statement made be attributed to Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM):

"We are very disappointed in the failure of the New Hampshire House of Representatives to pass compromise legislation restoring marriage and providing for civil unions for same-sex couples. This was the law prior to marriage being hijacked by legislators who accepted hundreds of thousands in campaign contributions from gay marriage supporters without ever telling voters they intended to redefine marriage. We consider any vote cast against HB 437 to be a vote in favor of gay marriage, and we will act to hold every legislator accountable for such a vote.

"While we are disappointed in this vote today, we remain committed to giving the voters of New Hampshire the opportunity to restore the traditional definition of marriage. The only time gay marriage activists are able to win is when they can bypass the people and get activist judges or legislators to do their bidding, usually after plying them with large campaign contributions.

"This is a sad day for New Hampshire families who in 2010 had elected what they thought was a solid pro-marriage majority. They were once again let down by politicians who promised them one thing and then left them at the altar when the vote was on the line. These legislators will be held accountable."

###

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

Paid for by The National Organization for Marriage, Brian Brown, president. 2029 K Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006, not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. New § 68A.405(1)(f) & (h).

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Marriage Election Watch, New Hampshire, Press Releases | Comments (95)

Video: Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz Asked About Controversial Same-Sex Marriage Stance

March 21, 2012 at 5:30 pm

Here is the video of the exchanges this morning at the annual Starbucks shareholder meeting:

For more information see our press release and www.DumpStarbucks.com.

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

The National Organization for Marriage Announces International "Dump Starbucks" Protest Campaign

March 21, 2012 at 4:25 pm

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 21, 2012
Contact: Anath Hartmann or Elizabeth Ray (703-683-5004)

"Corporations should not take sides in a culture war that pits a company against the majority of the American people, and nearly all its consumers in some international markets."—Brian Brown, president—

National Organization for Marriage

Seattle, Washington — The National Organization for Marriage (NOM), America's largest group dedicated to preserving traditional marriage and the faith communities that sustain it, today announced it will lead an international "Dump Starbucks" protest of Starbucks Coffee Company to give voice to consumers around the world who support preserving marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Customers are invited to visit www.DumpStarbucks.com immediately to take action.

"Unlike our opponents, we do not target whole companies for the actions of an individual business executive in that company," said Brian Brown, NOM's president. "But Starbucks has taken a corporate position in support of redefining marriage for all of society. We will not tolerate an international company attempting to force its misguided values on citizens. The majority of Americans and virtually every consumer in some countries in which Starbucks operates believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. They will not be pleased to learn that their money is being used to advance gay marriage in society."

The new protest campaign was announced after the annual Starbucks shareholders meeting today in Seattle, where NOM spokesmen queried the board on its new policies promoting gay marriage and demanded protection against discrimination for employees, vendors and customers who disagree.

"We respect the important role of businesses in providing goods, services and jobs, and that people of diverse moral views build great companies working together," Brown said. "But Starbucks has corporately, as an organization, endorsed and helped pass gay marriage in the state of Washington. Its executive vice president of partner resources has stated that gay marriage "is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners. It is core to who we are and what we value as a company." Corporations should not take sides in a culture war that pits a company against half the American people, and nearly all its consumers in some international markets."

NOM said it would mount a campaign to urge consumers to boycott Starbucks and contact the manager of their local Starbucks operation to complain about the corporation's attempts to redefine marriage for all of society. The group will also launch an advertising campaign to inform consumers around the world about the company's activities. Starbucks operates in 55 countries including many where same-sex marriage is strongly opposed.

"We are today announcing a sustained public campaign calling on Starbucks to stop waging war against marriage, and the views of more than half its worldwide customers. Starbucks should be in the business of offering all its diverse customers a great cup of coffee, not taking sides against the views of its customers, vendors, and employees around the world," said Brown.

NOM will place ads throughout the United States, as well as in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, urging consumers to "Dump Starbucks" because purchasing a cup of Starbucks equals support for gay marriage. The "Dump Starbucks" campaign will ask consumers to join the campaign against Starbuck's corporate irresponsibility.

"Starbucks may have been hoping that what happens in Seattle stays in Seattle, but we are going to make sure Starbucks customers, not only here but worldwide, know that drinking a cup of Starbucks coffee promotes gay marriage," said Jonathan Baker, head of NOM's Corporate Fairness Project and a Starbucks stockholder. "It's ironic that even as Starbucks endorsed gay marriage here, its website on involvement in the Middle East claims the corporation does not, 'support any political or religious cause.' Lying to your customers is never a good business model," Baker added.

###

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

Paid for by The National Organization for Marriage, Brian Brown, president. 2029 K Street NW, Suite 300 Washington, DC 20006, not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. New § 68A.405(1)(f) & (h).

NOM
By NOM Staff | Posted in Dump Starbucks, Press Releases, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (101)

Sioux City Journal: Rally Pushes for Iowa Vote on Marriage

March 21, 2012 at 1:30 pm

The Sioux City Journal:

Hundreds of advocates for a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage crowded the Capitol rotunda Tuesday where they prayed, sang and rallied before lobbying lawmakers.

The effort is likely the last big push this legislative session by groups who want the Democrat-controlled Senate to take up legislation that calls for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, which the Republican-controlled House passed last year. If nothing is done, the bill will expire at the end of the legislative session.

... Vander Plaats was joined by leaders from the National Organization for Marriage and CatholicVote.org. Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, said the vote to oust the three Iowa Supreme Court justices who ruled in favor of same-sex marriage was a historic event.

"Guess what? You changed history," he said to cheers from the crowd. "We were born for this."

The speeches inspired 19-year-old Cody Rouse of Des Moines, who attended the rally with his Des Moines church group, to get more involved in politics. "I'm not always up on all of these issues, but being here, it's exciting. It shows me that I should be more a part of it," he said.

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

NY Press: Marriage Was "Referendum" Issue in NY Special Election; Fidler "Hammered" for Same-Sex Marriage

March 21, 2012 at 1:00 pm

More from the New York press on the role same-sex marriage played in the New York special election to replace disgraced marriage flip-flopper Sen. Kruger:

Brooklyn Daily: "...a war of words between the two men that turned the race into a referendum on their faiths and positions on abortion and gay marriage — hot button issues weighed by the district’s influential Orthodox and Hasidic communities."

New York Post: "Fidler also got hammered for his support of gay marriage, an unpopular position in the district."

PolitickerNY: Mr. Storobin’s campaign was seen as a longshot, but he had heavy support from the local and state Republican Party, which was betting a campaign focused on Mr. Fidler’s liberal positions on social issues, specifically gay marriage, could be a success among the large numbers of Russians and Orthodox Jews in the district.

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