NOM BLOG

Minnesota Polyamorists Explain "We Are The Next Equal Rights Movement"; Talk About Raising Children

City Pages takes an extended look at polyamorous Minnesotans waiting in the wings of the movement to redefine marriage:

"...Whether a poly person is looking for stability or sex, the Twin Cities has a group for pretty much any flavor.

A quick search online will show a number of various polyamory meet-up groups or organizations, catering to various ages, backgrounds, and geographical locations throughout the state. MN Poly — the Minnesota Polyamory Network — is the most well-known, and also happens to be the one that has Carrie as a member of the board.

The group officially has a couple hundred active members, but this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to finding a poly group in the area.

... "I remember once in the gay-marriage movement several years ago there was an opinion piece written in another local publication. The right-wing groups and talking heads were all saying things like, 'We can't support gay marriage because the next thing will be polyamorous marriages.' I thought that was interesting because I had never heard polyamory mentioned in the media before," she recalls. "So anyways, this publication wrote an op-ed piece where they said, 'You don't have to worry about polyamorous marriage because polyamory doesn't exist.' That really upset a lot of us because we felt like we were being marginalized."

The group took a stand, organizing a letter-writing campaign (remember letters?) and creating more awareness for the poly community. The results are still being seen today.

"It's a lot different now that we have organized groups, and I think because people have become so much more accepting of the GLBT community and other types of relationships, I think our group and our community is going to continue to grow," Carrie says optimistically. "I think that we are the next equal rights movement, and that poly is going to continue to become increasingly accepted in the future."

City Pages also interviewed a polyamorous mother of two:

Alright, so let's get this part out of the way: How long have you been practicing poly?

My husband, Jim, and I have been married for almost 12 years. We decided to open our marriage up in August of 2009, and I promptly met my boyfriend, Justin, who I've been with for three years.

And how many kids do you have?

I have a daughter who is ten and a son who is eight.

So how did your kids react to you practicing poly?

The things with kids, is that when people are trying to hide something, it's exciting. But we just live our lives and don't really make a big deal out of it, so they don't really think anything of it either.

You never had any sort of talk with your kids about being poly?

Early on, if Justin would spend the night then we'd try and get up before the kids and be like, "Hey, my friend Justin came over for breakfast again!" But eventually we just stopped pretending. Plus my kids get up way too early, so I just couldn't keep that up.

National Organization for Marriage: Obama's New Statements in Support of Same-Sex Marriage are a Reminder About the Clear Choice America Faces in November

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


"Every time a state has voted on marriage over the past four years the citizens have ignored the President and voted their pro-marriage beliefs … and this November will be no different."—Brian Brown, President of NOM—

National Organization for Marriage

Washington, D.C.—Reacting to the news that President Obama has endorsed Referendum 74 in Washington State, Question 1 in Maine and Question 6 in Maryland, all of which would redefine marriage if approved, Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) said:

"President Obama has opposed every effort to protect marriage since he came into office, and yet every time a state has voted on marriage over the past four years citizens have ignored the President and voted their pro-marriage beliefs, including most recently in North Carolina, where a plurality of Democrats ignored the President's opposition and contributed to the 61% of voters who supported the Marriage Protection Amendment earlier this year."

"Time and time again we have seen that people's personal conviction that marriage is the union of husband and wife is too strong to be swayed by what the President says on this issue," Brown continued.

"President Obama's choice to support efforts to redefine marriage will prove to be a motivation for pro-marriage voters in these states and across the country to mobilize in the final days before the election to support marriage and support candidates at the local and national level who share their pro-marriage view. Voters in thirty-two states have voted to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman, often by a wide margin, especially in swing states considered critical to the election of the next President. Mitt Romney has been a stalwart advocate of marriage and has signed NOM's five-point Marriage Pledge. The contrast between the two Presidential candidates on the issue of marriage could not be clearer," Brown added.

"The momentum is clearly behind our efforts to protect marriage in the four states voting on November 6th . Pro-marriage activists have always won the closing argument and this November will be no different, despite President Obama's choice to inject himself into the important decisions these four states are about to make," concluded Brown.

President Obama has previously stated his opposition to the Minnesota Protection Amendment.

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

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).

National Organization for Marriage President Calls Out Grisanti for Outright Lie During Debate

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 25, 2012
Contact: Elizabeth Ray or Jen Campbell (703-683-5004)


"He changed his vote for power and campaign contributions and now he is outright lying to the people of Western New York." —Brian Brown, President, NOM—

National Organization for Marriage

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Brian Brown, President of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) today called out New York State Senator Mark Grisanti for outright lying in a debate with his two opponents in the 61st Senate District. During the Wednesday morning debate Grisanti said, "He did not campaign against marriage equality in 2010." The lie was made in an attempt to fend off his opponents who were challenging Grisanti on his flip-flop and betrayal of traditional marriage.

"For Mark Grisanti to say he didn't run on the issue of marriage couldn't be further from the truth," Brown said. "In 2008, I had a phone conversation with him. He pledged his support and took our money. I can't imagine how it could be any clearer."

Brown also referenced a letter that Grisanti wrote to several members of the clergy throughout the district proclaiming that he was "unalterably opposed" to same-sex marriage.

"Mark Grisanti showed us his lack of character and integrity when he flip-flopped and betrayed us on marriage and he is showing his true colors again to defend his deplorable actions" Brown continued.

Brown cited two different news accounts regarding Grisanti's 2010 victory:

  1. A New York Times Magazine article from April of 2012 that wrote, "he told people he was in the man-and-a-woman camp, which probably bought him a smattering of black support. Moreover, Grisanti was listed on the ballot as the candidate of the Conservative Party in addition to being the Republican nominee, and he reaped 4,368 votes on the Conservative line. So it is not a stretch to suggest that, between Conservative and black votes, Mark Grisanti owes his seat to the fact that he identified himself as a "no" vote on gay marriage."

  2. and

  3. A Buffalo News article written by Donn Esmonde in November of 2010 where former Erie County Executive Joel Giambra, who was credited with orchestrating the successful Grisanti State Senate campaign, attributed the win in part because Grisanti's opponent Antoine Thompson " had trouble with his base [of support] because of his backing of gay marriage."

"Mark Grisanti clearly changed his position and now he's trying to change history. He changed his vote for power and campaign contributions and now he is outright lying to the people of Western New York so he can continue to cash in," Brown concluded.

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

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).

Photos: Thousands Join Over 75 Pro-Marriage "Flash Mobs" Across France!

The rising tide of support for marriage in France received a huge boost over the weekend!

LifeSiteNews has the story:

The first nationwide public demonstration against the French socialist government’s plan to legalize homosexual “marriage” took place today simultaneously in 75 French towns.

The events were organized by “Alliance Vita” and took the form of colorful flash mobs in well-frequented locations, attracting widespread public attention and media coverage.

In every case groups of men dressed in black and women in white separated into two groups symbolizing the fact that every child needs a mother and a father. Holding up bright pink signs saying : “Daddy, Mommy, you shouldn’t tell lies to children”, the “daddies” and “mommies” alternately helped a blundering bird – symbolizing a new-born child – to leave its nest without falling.

Meanwhile Joe Dassin’s sixties hit, “Tout bébé a besoin d’une maman” (“Every baby needs a Mommie to be loved”), and Abba’s Mamma mia were played over loudspeakers.

On the busy main square of Paris business and shopping center “La Défense,” where this author witnessed the event, most of the lookers-on seemed interested and even sympathetic to the message. Young people handing out leaflets in favor of natural marriage said at least 80% of people they spoke with reacted positively.

In many towns hundreds of “daddies and mommies” gathered to spread the message: 600 in Lyons, 400 in Rennes, as many in Bordeaux, 200 in Toulouse.

At least 1,500 joined the event in Paris, where “Alliance Vita’s” leaders addressed the crowd.

“To tell a child it has two daddies or two mommies is telling a lie. You should never lie to a child,” said Tugdual Derville, the movement’s general delegate.

“Children have a right to know their origins, they have a right to a daddy and a mommy and not respecting that when they are already hurt through being orphans is just adding further mistreatment,” he said.

You can find more photos of the Paris flash mob here.

Alliance Vita, which organized the Flash Mobs, is calling for a referendum allowing the people of France to vote on marriage.

Here is one of the organizers of the Paris event explaining their message:

One of our French-speaking supporters provides a rough translation:

”We have heard those who want the so-called marriage for everyone but we have not heard the voice of the children ...We are all born from one man and one woman ...In term of education, are we going to abolish this [idea of] natural parenting and the complementary between father and mother which we know is very precious ...Even if the government erase[s] on paper such natural parenting, it will not be erased at the level of the people."

Knights of Columbus Give $100K to Protect Marriage Maine

The Knights of Columbus, a Catholic charitable organization, has given $100,000 to Protect Marriage Maine, the group leading efforts to oppose same-sex marriage in Maine.

The money comes from the international offices of the group, according to a press release.

"I believe this gift will encourage many other Mainers to financially support our efforts to protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman," said Bob Emrich, chairman of Protect Marriage Maine. "We look forward to continued financial and grassroots support as the campaign gears up for its final phase of advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts prior to Nov. 6."

Learn more at Protect Marriage Maine.

Seven Former DFL State Senators Urge All Minnesotans to Vote Yes on Marriage Protection Amendment

A great showing of bipartisan support for the Marriage Protection Amendment.

Polls show consistently that more Democrats support the amendment than Republicans oppose it!

Today, seven former DFL state Senators released an open letter to the people of Minnesota urging them to support the Minnesota Marriage Protection Amendment. The letter was signed by Sen. Joe Bertram, Sen. Florian Chmielewski, Sen. Carl Kroening, Sen. Wayne Olhoft, Sen. Mike Menning, Sen. Jim Vickerman and Sen. Gene Waldorf.

“As former DFL state lawmakers, we want  to state our support for the Minnesota Marriage Protection Amendment, which the Minnesota legislature approved with bipartisan support and placed on the November 6th ballot,” stated the letter.

“Currently, there are efforts underway to redefine marriage without the say of the people. There is a lawsuit in Hennepin County District Court which is seeking to redefine marriage. And, there are legislators who are promising to repeal the current law and redefine marriage at the first opportunity.”

“We believe the people of Minnesota should have final say on the legal definition of this vital social and civic institution.”

“Clearly, protecting marriage is not a Republican issue or Democrat issue. It’s an important social issue that affects all of us,” said John Helmberger, Chairman of Minnesota for Marriage. “These legislators highlight the fact that traditional marriage, family and children are, and always have been, part of traditional DFL values.  We are working hard to get Democrats who believe marriage is between one man and one woman to VOTE YES on Amendment 1 to protect marriage on November 6th.” -- Minnesota For Marriage

Video: "Don't Make the Same Mistake and Think That Gay Marriage Won't Affect You"

The fourth ad from Minnesota for Marriage:

Video: What Are the Consequences for Kids of Redefining Marriage?

Kalley Yanta of the Minnesota Marriage Minute explains:

"The fundamental public purpose of marriage is to provide the ideal environment for children to be raised by the people who brought them into the world, their parents. The drive to redefine marriage to accommodate the political demands of same-sex couples separates the interests of children from the purpose of marriage."

Our Ads Are Working!!

Email Header Image

Dear Marriage Supporter,

I have some exciting news to share!

As you know, our opponents in Washington State have had a monopoly on the airwaves for months, trying to mislead voters into supporting same-sex marriage.

A little over a week ago we began airing our ads (see them here), informing voters about the real consequences of redefining marriage and explaining why they should Reject Referendum-74 (gay marriage).

Yesterday a new Elway poll showed gay marriage has dropped in Washington State from a 14 point lead a few months ago to a 4 point race today (49%-45%), within the margin of error ...meaning the race is a statistical tie!

This is amazing news and it shows that our ads and message are working!

That's why we need your immediate emergency gift of as much as you can spare to STAND FOR MARRIAGE AMERICA so we can close the gap and save marriage in Washington State and across the country.

At the link above you can also view all the ads now airing in Washington State and across the country. Your gift will help keep these ads on the air through election day.

Even more amazing, the Elway poll wrote: "Opposition to Referendum 74 has grown over the past month while support has stayed at virtually the same level since July."

Did you catch that? Support for same-sex marriage has flat-lined at just under the critical 50% threshold despite their massive spending and advertising advantage for months.

Your gift of $50, $100 or even $250 will make all the difference in the world and will determine whether we can bring the remaining undecided voters into our camp on election day. Voting has already begun in Washington State so we need your support ASAP!

The local media, after months of touting polls showing large leads for same-sex marriage, are refusing to report this latest poll showing a dramatic tightening in the race since our ads began airing.

We need your help to get around the media and go straight to the voters who will decide this issue in less than two weeks in Washington State and across the country. Now is the time to give until it hurts to deliver an incredible victory for marriage.

We have the winning message and now, once again, we have proof that our winning message is persuading voters to side with us.

Don't let gay marriage activists buy this election. Help us continue to move the dial our way and save marriage this November.

Bill and Melinda Gates Gave $500K to Gay Marriage in Washington State

Proponents of gay marriage in Washington State are awash in big-check contributions from CEOs of corporations (nonetheless, gay marriage activists have failed to move the needle in their direction since July):

Washington United for Marriage (WUM),  a broad campaign coalition group for gay marriage announced today that it received a $500,000 donation from the Gates' couple.

WUM spokesperson state: ‘Bill and Melinda Gates made a second contribution to the Referendum 74 campaign because they support marriage equality and believe the law is good for Washington State.’

... Gates previously made a $100,000 contribution to WUM on 29 June 2012.

On Monday (22 October), New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg pledged $250,000 in matching donations to WUM.

Earlier this year, Amazon.com co-founder Jeff Bezos and his wife donated $2.5 million to WUM.

WUM has so far spent about $11 million on the campaign, while the anti-gay opposing campaign of Preserve Marriage Washington, only managed to raise $2 million. -- GayStarNews

Family Research Council Shooter Charged With Terrorism

The Hill:

A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted a Virginia man on new terrorism charges for allegedly shooting a security guard at the Family Research Council (FRC) in Washington, D.C., this summer.

The Justice Department is charging Floyd Lee Corkins, 28, with committing an act of terrorism while armed, attempted murder while armed, aggravated assault while armed and second-degree burglary while armed.

The new charges are in addition to an indictment for possessing and transporting a firearm into D.C. for the purpose of committing a violent crime. The government filed those charges against Corkins in August, immediately following the shooting, which wounded a security guard at the conservative Christian group’s headquarters.

... In 2010, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) placed the FRC on its list of hate groups for its statements about the gay community.

In the wake of the shooting, the National Organization for Marriage, one of the nation’s leading opponents of same-sex marriage, said the shooting was a direct result of the SPLC’s decision.

Has the Minnesota Marriage Amendment Pushed the State Towards Romney?

The latest Rasmussen poll shows Mitt Romney trailing Obama by only 5 points in Minnesota. We wonder if strong support for the Marriage Protection Amendment is motivating the conservative base there, as we have seen in other states that have voted to protect marriage during Presidential elections:

President Obama earns just over 50% of the vote in Minnesota.

A new telephone survey of Likely Minnesota Voters finds Barack Obama with 51% support to 46% for Mitt Romney.  One percent (1%) prefers some other candidate, while another one percent (1%) is undecided.  (To see survey question wording, click here.)

New Elway Poll Shows Reject R-74 Has Made Up 10 Point Deficit!

Pro Referendum-74 (gay marriage) activists have been on the airwaves for months. Our side went up on the air a little over a week ago and a new Elway poll suggests momentum is now moving our way -- the closer gay marriage comes to becoming a reality, the more people reject it:

BREAKING NEWS: new Elway poll shows that support for Referendum 74 has dropped from a 14 point advantage in September, to a 4 point advantage in October, 49-45. That is within the margin of error making it a statistical tie! As voter's learn the facts, support for same-sex "marriage" collapses. Keep spreading truth! -- Family Policy Institute of Washington

More than that, the Elway poll reports "Opposition to Referendum 74 has grown over the past month while support has stayed at virtually the same level since July."

Here is their graphic illustrating the lack of movement in support of same-sex marriage despite months of pro Referendum-74 ads:

Local Washington press is not reporting the results of this poll yet. The Seattle Times reported the other results from the same poll but fails to mention the momentum against Referndum-74.

Learn how you can be part of the momentum for marriage at PreserveMarriageWashington.com.

Photo: Young VOTE YES Volunteers in Minnesota

We love this photo of student volunteers at Bethel University in Minnesota staffing a booth for the Marriage Protection Amendment:

Maine Blogger: Treworgy Farm is the New Chick-Fil-A

Aaron Prill lives in and blogs about current events and politics in Maine:

This past weekend Treworgy Family Orchards became the “Chick-Fil-A of Maine” in that they exercised their freedom of speech to show support for traditional marriage, and as a result received backlash from the homosexual community and those that support their agenda. The simple act of placing a “NO on Question 1″ campaign sign in front of their family-owned business was labeled bigotry and hate-speech. Much of this backlash was expressed on their business Facebook page, but the Bangor Daily News reportsthat they were finally strong-armed into removing the sign by people stopping into the business to express their displeasure with it being there.

This incident is further proof that the crowd who continually cries for tolerance is only “tolerant” if you support their agenda. I expressed this sentiment directly on the Treworgy’s Facebook page, and was immediately bombarded with the usual, predictable responses.

... to witness fellow Christians such as the Treworgy’s being persecuted for their heart-felt beliefs has prodded me to speak out. And while I’m just another voice in the wilderness, and by no means think I speak for anyone but myself, I’ve concluded the platform this blog allows must no longer be silent on the same-sex marriage issue. -- CounterCulture