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Sao Paulo OKs Pride Day—for Heterosexuals

August 8, 2011 at 9:00 am

Weird news, via the AP:

The city council of South America's biggest city has adopted legislation calling for a Heterosexual Pride Day to be celebrated on the third Sunday of each December.

... The legislation's author, Carlos Apolinario, said the idea for a Heterosexual Pride Day is "not anti-gay but a protest against the privileges the gay community enjoys."

As an example, he mentioned how Sao Paulo's huge gay pride day parade is held every year on Paulista Avenue, one of the main thoroughfares in this city of 20 million people, while the March for Jesus organized by evangelical groups is not allowed on the same avenue.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, South America | Comments (1)

New Poll: 58% of NJ Voters Oppose SSM, if Civil Unions Offered As Option

August 8, 2011 at 7:00 am

In the New Jersey Star Ledger, the difference between giving people all the options and narrowing their choices becomes clear:

The poll [PDF], by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling, found 47 percent of voters [in New Jersey] wanted to legalize marriage between same-sex partners, while 42 percent wanted to keep it illegal.

... But when the pollster asked the question a different way, a majority of voters opposed gay marriage. When asked if gay couples should be able to legally marry, enter into civil unions but not marry, or not have their relationship recognized at all, 41 percent favored marriage, 40 percent favored civil unions but not marriage, and 17 percent wanted no recognition.

By NOM Staff | Posted in New Jersey, Poll, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (8)

Video: Christian Therapist in UK Could Lose License After Gay Man Poses As Someone Seeking Therapy

August 7, 2011 at 1:00 pm

CBNews reports:

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Religious Liberty, United Kingdom | Comments (36)

Carolyn Moynihan on How TV, Professors and Judges Collaborate to Promote Polygamy

August 7, 2011 at 9:00 am

Carolyn Moynihan connects some dots:

... Community leader Warren Jeffs, already in trouble before the raid, is currently in jail awaiting trial in Texas on sexual assault and bigamy charges. If he sits tight a bit longer, though, the bigamy charge may collapse; with same-sex marriage apparently in the bag, polygamy is looking like the next big thing in the United States -- and no-one seems to care what happens to the kids.

While Jeffs has been cooling his heels in clink, television networks have promoted his cause by rolling out shows such as Big Love and Sister Wives. The Browns ofSister Wives, all four of them, have talked about how happy they are with their choice and how well adjusted their 16 children are, and how the children are carefully educated about choice and consequences, and how there are no underage or arranged marriages. Fictional versions of the lifestyle add to the gloss by leaving out what one script writer calls the “yuck factor”.

Now that the small screen has demystified and sentimentalised polygamy it is the turn of professors and judges to legitimise it. And what better time to do so than in the wake of the latest green light for same-sex marriage? Straight after New York conferred the right to marry on homosexuals, Ralph Richard Banks, a Stanford law school professor predicted that polygamy and incest must now be legalised: “Over time, our moral assessments of these practices will shift, just as they have with interracial marriage and same sex marriage.”

By NOM Staff | Posted in Culture, Law, Media, Polygamy | Comments (11)

William Duncan on Congress Weighing-In on DOMA Litigation

August 6, 2011 at 1:00 pm

William C. Duncan in National Review's The Corner blog:

Congress, represented by former solicitor general Paul Clement, has filed two briefs in one of the cases challenging the Defense of Marriage Act in a federal court in New York. One is a memorandum providing legal reasons the court should deny the ACLU’s motion for summary judgment. The second is a memorandum with reasons the court should grant the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group’s motion to dismiss. Both are excellent, and I particularly appreciate the way the second brief explains the state’s interests related to procreation.

The opposition brief argues that “sexual orientation” is not analogous to race because, among other things, all federal circuit courts have rejected this idea, and gays and lesbians are not politically powerless (especially given that the state of New York and the federal government are supporting the ACLU position in the case). The brief also notes that the federal government has been involved in the definition of marriage in the past. A representative quote: “Plaintiff appears oblivious to the irony of maintaining that homosexuals have limited political power in a case in which her position is supported by both the State of New York and the United States Department of Justice. In light of the latter’s longstanding duty to defend the constitutionality of federal statutes, its decision to decline to defend the constitutionality of DOMA, and instead adopt the very position advocated by Plaintiff, is particularly telling.”

The memo supporting the motion to dismiss makes the foundational argument that DOMA is entirely consistent with constitutional guarantees. It argues that same-sex marriage is not a fundamental right deeply rooted in history and tradition, and that it does not discriminate on the basis of sex or sexual orientation. The brief also explains that Congress is justified by government interests in avoiding creation of “a social understanding that begetting and rearing children is not inextricably bound up with marriage” and in fostering marriages that provide mothers and fathers for children. It argues that any redefinition of marriage should be left to the democratic process. Representative quote: “Indeed, most sexually-active opposite-sex relationships have an inherent ability to produce children whether or not the spouses are seeking to do so at any given time. And the fact that opposite-sex relationships produce unplanned and unintended pregnancies is at the heart of society’s traditional interest in promoting the institution of marriage and providing incentives for these unplanned offspring to be raised in the context of a traditional family unit. Whatever else is true of the procreative potential of same-sex couples, the phenomena of unplanned and unintended pregnancies is limited to opposite-sex couples. Congress rationally could have concluded that a special legal category was necessary to recognize the special concerns that face a couple who must take account of this inherent possibility of their relationship, and to support and incentivize such relationships despite the increased responsibility they place upon the spouses.”

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

NYT: Among Conservative Rabbis, a Wide Disagreement Over Same-Sex Marriage

August 6, 2011 at 11:00 am

Joseph Berger of the New York Times reports:

... The two rabbis’ contrasting viewpoints are reflective of the wide disagreement within Conservative Judaism on an issue that continues to roil many of its synagogues even after passage of laws in New York and five other states that legalize same-sex marriage.

The other denominations of Judaism are less divided. All but several Orthodox rabbis, from Modern to Hasidic, oppose same-sex marriage largely because of the explicit ban against homosexual sex in Leviticus and would never officiate at a Jewish wedding ceremony, while most, but not all, Reform and Reconstructionist rabbis will do so.

... The spectrum in the movement is striking, according to experts. Some rabbis staunchly resist requests to officiate at same-sex weddings, even if congregants want them, arguing that the movement should not equate homosexual relationships with heterosexual ones. Other rabbis are eager to officiate, but will not do so because their congregations are opposed. Others step out ahead of their congregations and might perform the ceremony far from the synagogue and not offer blessings for the couple at a Sabbath service. New York’s law prohibits any penalties for clergy members who refuse to perform same-sex weddings.

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

MSNBC Video: Brian Brown Vs. John Lewis on NOM's Marriage Pledge

August 6, 2011 at 10:31 am

Here is video of NOM President Brian Brown's appearance on MSNBC opposite John Lewis and MSNBC host Thomas Roberts, discussing NOM's Marriage Pledge, which has now been signed by four candidates for the GOP's presidential nomination:

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage Election Watch, New York, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (30)

Heritage Foundation on How Nondiscrimination Laws Factor In Same-Sex Marriage and Threats to Religious Freedom

August 6, 2011 at 9:00 am

Thomas Messner at the Heritage Foundation explains how same-sex marriage threatens religious freedom by triggering nondiscrimination laws.

Here is the abstract:

Proponents of religious freedom have firmly established that same-sex marriage threatens religious freedom in a number of ways. In response, some have argued that certain threats to religious freedom discussed in this context have more to do with nondiscrimination laws than with the legal status of same-sex marriage.

This argument reflects certain realities. Conflicts between same-sex marriage and religious freedom will often involve some type of previously adopted nondiscrimination law or policy, and nondiscrimination laws can impose burdens on religious freedom even in jurisdictions that do not legally recognize homosexual unions as marriages. But neither point diminishes the threat that same-sex marriage poses to religious freedom.

Same-sex marriage is likely to trigger a number of conflicts between nondiscrimination laws and religious freedom that otherwise would not exist, and threats to religious freedom are no less troubling because they involve nondiscrimination laws and same-sex marriage, not just same-sex marriage...

From the conclusion:

Where nondiscrimination laws have been enacted without consideration of how they would interact with radical legal developments like same-sex marriage, lawmakers should reconsider and update those laws wherever appropriate. Failure to do so threatens to turn the marriage debate from a culture war into a conscience war and provides an additional ground for proponents of religious freedom to oppose the expansion of nondiscrimination laws in the future.

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

Marriage Pledge Update: And Tim Pawlenty Makes 4!

August 5, 2011 at 2:52 pm

Governor Tim Pawlenty has signed on to the NOM Marriage Pledge which was signed yesterday by Republican Presidential candidates Mitt Romney, Michelle Bachmann and Rick Santorum.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Iowa, Marriage Election Watch, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (10)

Tim Gill-Funded Log Cabin Republicans Do Not Like NOM's Marriage Pledge

August 5, 2011 at 1:49 pm

From their press release reacting to news that candidates Romney, Bachmann and Santorum have all signed NOM's Marriage Pledge:

Log Cabin Republicans strongly oppose the so called ‘marriage pledge’ by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), which endangers the GOP’s ability to grow and strengthen.

“Republicans got nothing but bad press from the first marriage pledge of the 2012 campaign season, which turned off voters and detracted from our party’s commitment to addressing issues that matter to all Americans. The last thing Republicans need or want is another group pushing the same outdated social agenda under new branding,” said Christian Berle, Log Cabin Republicans Deputy Executive Director.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Same Sex Marriage | Comments (13)

SSM Backers in NY Outspent Opponents 3-1?

August 5, 2011 at 8:30 am

Money matters. That's what gay newspaper Chelsea Now reports:

The groups that backed same sex marriage outspent their opponents by roughly three-to-one during the fight to enact gay marriage in New York.

New Yorkers United for Marriage (NYUM), a coalition formed by the Empire State Pride Agenda (ESPA), New York’s statewide gay lobbying group, Freedom to Marry, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Marriage Equality New York, and the Log Cabin Republicans, spent $1.86 million on its marriage campaign in the first six months of 2011. That cash was spent on television ads, direct mail, and voter canvassing.

...Separately, some NYUM members, such as HRC, ESPA, and Freedom to Marry made additional expenditures on their own that collectively exceeded $1 million. Then a slew of other groups spent smaller amounts on lobbying. The Gill Action Fund, a political group founded by philanthropist Tim Gill, spent $80,000 on lobbying and the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) spent a small amount. Altogether, marriage supporters spent at least $3 million in the first six months of 2011.

... Speaking at July 25 forum sponsored by the law firm Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, Brian Ellner, a senior strategist at HRC, said that in 2009 constituent calls to senators “ran 10, 20, 30 to one against…We knew from the get go that that had to be reversed.”

The coalition hired 35 fulltime canvassers who worked statewide and it produced 135,000 calls, letters or other contacts with legislators.

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

Video: CBN News Grills Gov. Perry on Life, Marriage

August 5, 2011 at 8:00 am

The relevant part about marriage, via CBN News:

[Perry is] such a believer in states rights that he's defended state decisions that he fundamentally disagrees with.

But on issues like traditional marriage, which he says are important to the fabric of the nation, he supports amending the constitution to make it the law of the land.

"I support the federal marriage amendment and I also support the same with the issue of abortion. And I also that same process for a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution so Washington will finally get the message of, 'Hey, quit spending all the money," Perry explained.

His announcement on whether he's running for president is expected in the next few weeks.

Here's the video:

If he runs, will he take the Marriage Pledge?

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Marriage Election Watch, New York, Same Sex Marriage | Comments Off

NY Sen. Savino Furious Over Fellow Democrat Admitting Investigation of NY SSM Vote Needed

August 5, 2011 at 7:00 am

PolitickerNY reports that someone isn't happy:

State Senator Diane Savino is furious with fellow Democrat David Weprin after he agreed with an interviewer who said there should be some type of inquiry into whether the State Senate violated its rules when it voted to legalize same-sex marriage.

“I was this close to writing a check to him and I tore it up,” Savino told me. “He knows damn well” rules were followed, she said. “He should just defend his vote.” Weprin, as a member of the Assembly, voted for the bill.

... Weprin is running for the congressional seat vacated by Anthony Weiner in the 9th congressional district covering parts of Brooklyn and Queens where there is a sizable Jewish population, some of whom oppose same-sex marriage.

By NOM Staff | Posted in New York, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (3)

Video: Maggie Gallagher Explains NOM's Marriage Pledge on CBN News

August 4, 2011 at 9:37 pm

NOM Chairman Maggie Gallagher was in-studio with the Christian Broadcasting Network today touting the fact that three GOP Presidential candidates --including the two current front runners-- have signed on to NOM's Marriage Pledge. Here's the video:

Here's the CBN article accompanying this interview.

By NOM Staff | Posted in Election Watch 2012, Iowa, Marriage Election Watch, Same Sex Marriage | Comments (26)

Marriage Champions Emerge in Presidential Race! NOM Marriage News, August 4, 2011

August 4, 2011 at 6:20 pm

Three marriage champions have emerged in the race for the presidency!

Two weeks ago, we got a Marriage Pledge to ten of the major announced candidates for the GOP nomination.

NOM's marriage pledge asks candidates to commit to five simple, straightforward, concrete steps to protect marriage nationally:

To support and send to the states for ratification a federal marriage amendment defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
To do vigorously what President Obama has refused to do: defend the Defense of Marriage Act in court.
To appoint to the Supreme Court, and as his or her Attorney General, only those who support the original meaning of the Constitution and who will, therefore, not invent a right to gay marriage.
To establish a presidential commission to investigate the increasing reports of harassment and threats to supporters of traditional marriage.
And to give back to the people of D.C. the right already guaranteed in the Charter which Congress gave them: the right to vote on marriage via the referendum process.

Today we announced the three candidates who have signed onto NOM's Marriage Pledge: Michelle Bachmann, Mitt Romney, and Rick Santorum.

For these three candidates, support for marriage is not just a matter of words. (Even Pres. Obama does that!) These candidates emerge as leaders because they are willing to walk the walk, to commit to concrete actions to support marriage.

As Politico's Ben Smith put it today, reporting on NOM's pledge, "The pledge is less meaningful for its direct consequences than for the fact that it commits the three candidates fully to the hottest front in the culture wars."

As I said in NOM's press release, "We are grateful to Michelle Bachmann, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum for their courage and their leadership in standing up for marriage, and so are millions of Americans who care about protecting marriage. Marriage is an issue with an unbroken string of victories that unites Republicans, and we're pleased and honored [that] the leading candidates in the race for the GOP nomination have spoken up for marriage. We expect the voters of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina will continue to reward candidates who champion marriage."

(The offer to sign NOM's marriage pledge will be extended to Gov. Rick Perry and other major candidates not currently in the race, as and when they enter the race).

[Update - Gov. Pawlenty signed the NOM Marriage Pledge. Bravo, marriage champions!]

Marriage is an issue which unites Republicans like almost no other issue. For example, a Public Policy Polling survey released on May 4, 2011 found that just 12 percent of Republicans support gay marriage.

The major GOP candidates need to know that support for marriage is not a tough call; it's common sense. We need marriage champions who are unafraid to stand up to the mainstream media for marriage!

Thank you for the privilege I cherish of being your voice for your values, whether in Iowa, Washington D.C., or New York—from sea to shining sea.

Speaking of New York, I wanted to share with you a couple of new videos from NOM's Let the People Vote rally.

We showed this video at a recent coalition meeting in Washington D.C.—and it had people cheering from their seats:

Main message: This is not the end. It's just the beginning of holding politicians accountable!

As Maggie said at the Manhattan rally, it's really encouraging, "So many people standing up for what's right: Marriage, the union of husband and wife, and for the most important civil right of all, the right of the people to vote!"

Currents TV has another exciting video of the Let the People Vote rally in Manhattan, which NOM co-sponsored.

Finally, here's NOM's own video from the Buffalo rally: Pastor Kevin Backus explains that nobody likes a politician like Mike Grisanti who breaks his firm promise, a promise to protect marriage, given over and over again.

In other news, Congress weighed in on defending DOMA in court for the first time this week, with a brief filed by superlawyer Paul Clement on behalf of the House of Representatives. (Kudos again to Speaker John Boehner for standing strong on this!)

It's a strong, lawyerly brief, designed above all to win Justice Anthony Kennedy's vote. Bill Duncan of the Marriage Law Foundation (who often works with us here at NOM) filed this analysis up on National Review.

We are grateful for all our marriage champions, including Florida's Rep. Allen West. The conservative media went wild when Debbie Wasserman Schulz unilaterally attacked West from the floor of Congress in the debt ceiling debate.

But they've been a lot more silent about the latest despicable attack on the Congressman, a former Army Lt. Col. who won the Bronze Star and many other military honors.

The LGBT Caucus of the Democratic Party in South Florida successfully got the Wilton Manor Business Association to publicly kowtow and cancel their invitation to Rep. West to come address the business group on key economic issues. Why? Because Rep. West opposed repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, and supports marriage.

Now, boycotts have a place in America's free-speech tradition. Usually, though, they target a business which has done something wrong in the eyes of the boycotters. What was Wilton Manor Business Association's crime? Inviting a sitting congressman to speak on economic issues of interest to the local business community.

For that crime, the LGBT Democratic Caucus was willing to threaten to hurt local businesses, threatening to "Call on the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community to boycott any and all businesses who are a member of the Wilton Manors Business Association, including GLBT-owned businesses willing to put profits ahead of human rights."

How many ordinary people might lose their livelihoods? Did the LGBT Caucus care? No.

There's something new, ugly and aggressive taking place among organized gay rights activists. They want to create an America in which Rep. West is cut out of the American mainstream, punished and excluded for his views—even his views on an issue that they have already won on in Congress!

NOM's issue portfolio is marriage and religious liberty, not military policy.

But we say, whether you agree with Rep. West on DADT or not, he's earned a right by his service to our country to his point of view.

This is shameful treatment of an honorable man, and we cannot be silent and watch the story unfold.

(Check out this cartoon, by a pro-gay-marriage cartoonist, to see someone who would agree with us on that!)

We have not yet begun to fight!

Thank you for all you have made possible. As Maggie says, in the end, I promise you that truth and love will prevail.

God bless and keep you and your family.

Brian Brown

Brian S Brown

Brian S. Brown
President
National Organization for Marriage

P.S. When you donate to NOM, you're making sure that your voice is heard and your values are respected in the corridors of power. Whether you can give $20 or $200 (or perhaps a monthly gift of just $10), you are making a difference. The victories we've won for marriage are your victories. Your generosity can help win more battles, protecting and defending marriage for this generation and the generations to come.