A state agency concluded Tuesday that an Ocean Grove association discriminated against a lesbian couple by denying their application to hold a civil union ceremony at its boardwalk pavilion.
In a 16-page decision, state Division of Civil Rights Director Craig Sashihara wrote that that the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association violated the state Law Against Discrimination in 2007 when it did not allow Harriet Bernstein and Luisa Paster to hold their ceremony at the pavilion, theAsbury Park Press reports.
Sashihara upheld a January decision reached by a state Office of Administrative Law judge.
“The laws of New Jersey prevailed,” Bernstein told the Asbury Park Press. “We’re delighted.”
... the state Department of Environmental Protection denied the association’s request for a tax abatement for the pavilion in 2008 because the structure was not available to all on an equal basis, the Asbury Park Press reported.
The association, which can appeal the decision within 45 days, has stopped renting out the pavilion for weddings since the incident, the Asbury Park Press reported.
Breaking News: New Jersey Says Ocean Grove Association Discriminated Against Lesbian Couple
Democrat Senator & Pastor Talks About Religious Liberty Threat of Same-Sex Marriage
C. Anthony Muse, a Democrat, represents Prince George’s County in the Maryland Senate and is also senior pastor of Safety Christian Church in Upper Marlboro. He writes in the Washington Post:
On Nov. 6, Maryland voters will decide the fate of a measure that not only redefines marriage but also presents a serious threat to the religious liberty of individuals and religious institutions.
Contrary to the claim made by Bishop V. Gene Robinson in his recent Post commentary [“Liberty and justice for all in Maryland,” On Faith, Oct. 13], supporters of traditional marriage in Maryland are by no means engaging in “intentional distortion of the truth.” Rather, hundreds of faith leaders and thousands of Maryland residents have raised sincere and grave concerns about Maryland’s Question 6. I share their concerns and urge the people of Maryland not to be fooled by what they read on the ballot.
... In a thinly veiled attempt to assuage concerns inevitably raised by the law, three-quarters of the ballot language is then devoted to a description of the measure’s supposed religious-freedom protections. Of course, clergy will not be forced to perform a marriage in violation of their religious beliefs; this basic protection exists in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as in the Maryland Constitution. But beyond that, the law contains no protection for the religious rights of individuals, and it does not protect religious organizations from a wide range of punitive actions by the government.
Maine Family Farm Becomes Flashpoint for Gay Marriage/Free Speech Debate
The Bangor Daily News reports on a story we've seen all too often -- good, decent, pro-marriage citizens express their first amendment rights on behalf of marriage (by simply putting up a "No on Question 1" sign) and are met with boycotts and harassment.
It's extremely encouraging, however, in this instance to see how many people are already standing with the Treworgy family! The family posted a detailed explanation for their pro-marriage views on their Facebook page which has already been liked over 1,600 times (at the time of this writing).
A poll hosted by the Bangor Daily News found readers supporting the Treworgy family's choice to put up their sign 71%-28% (at the time of this writing).
Stories like that of the Treworgy family puts yet another face to the reality that redefining marriage has consequences for everyone, and that far too often the free speech of pro-marriage citizens is marginalized and stigmatized -- that is, unless we band together to stand up for our right to be for marriage!
When the owner of a local family farm operation exercised his right to free speech by putting up a small political sign near a private driveway, some customers with an opposing view exercised their consumer rights to boycott the business.
That, in turn, prompted others to publicly come out in support of the farm family in a battle that is being waged primarily on the farm’s Facebook page.
At issue is a small lawn size “No on 1” sign that Gary Treworgy, patriarch of the family farm, put up in front of his house. The property is also the location of a business that employs several family members.
“Don’t redefine marriage. Vote NO on Question One. Marriage=One Man + One Woman,” read the sign, sponsored by the Protect Marriage Maine campaign.
A citizen initiative on the Nov. 6 statewide ballot, Question 1seeks to overturn Maine’s ban on same-sex marriage. The issue has proven a contentious one — pitting neighbors, family members and friends against one another from one end of the state to the other.
The first post critical of Treworgy’s sign appeared Sunday, family spokesman Jon Kenerson said Monday afternoon. Within less than 24 hours, more than 15,000 people had visited the page, with many of them weighing in with comments, he said.
... The controversy playing out on the Treworgy Family Orchards Facebook page prompted the family to post a lengthy statement Sunday night in which the family apologized for any hurt the sign might have caused — but at the same time stood by its position on same-sex marriage.
“This is obviously a very divisive issue and we value the freedom for every citizen to exercise their rights to express their opinion,” the statement read. “It’s a shame that so many assume that we are hateful and discriminatory simply because we are convinced that marriage is defined by a higher power than civil government.”
Video: Local News on Christian Farmer Not Exempt From New York's SSM Law
WNYT-TV airs a segment on the case of the farm owners in New York that are being sued by a lesbian couple after the owners respectfully told them they did not want their farm to be the site of their same-sex ceremony. The report admits that the fate of the farm owners's plea is in the hands of a Judge now.
Remember how we were promised no one who did not want to be involved with same-sex weddings would be forced to? The lesbian couple is demanding an apology and for the farm owners to change their private policy regarding same-sex ceremonies:
[You can view the TV segment here.]
Two New York women who say they were turned away from a potential wedding site because they are lesbians have filed a discrimination complaint.
Advocates say the complaint filed with the state Division of Human Rights is among the first of its kind since New York legalized same-sex weddings last year.
Melisa Erwin and Jennie McCarthy, of Albany, say they filed the complaint Oct. 11 after Liberty Ridge Farm told them they could not use the site for their wedding next summer. -- The Blaze
Baptist Press: TV Ads Warn of Gay Marriage Consequences
Legalizing gay marriage will negatively impact free speech and religious liberty, leading to threats, lawsuits and even the firing of people who support the traditional definition of marriage, new TV ads warn in the four states where the issue is on the ballot.
Voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington will decide Nov. 6 whether to legalize gay marriage, the same day that voters in Minnesota will consider a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between one man and one woman.
Gay marriage supporters are outspending the other side by wide margins -- estimated at 4-to-1 in Washington state -- but traditional groups say that if they can get their message out, they can win, as they have in all 32 states where the issue has been on the ballot.
Two New Ads in Maine: "I Was Fired" & "They Sued Us"
Two new ads appearing in Maine:
"They Sued Us"
"I Was Fired"
Learn more at www.PreserveMarriageMaine.com.
Why Three Sisters Are Voting No on Same-Sex Marriage in Maine
Their deep belief in God and Christian teachings is being boiled down to sound bites by the “mainstream media,” and they say the ongoing debate over same-sex marriage in Maine is being dominated by those who support the idea.
That’s how Carol Daigle and her sisters, Valerie Litalien and Cindy Terrill, feel about Question 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot.
Deeply devoted to their religions — Litalien is Catholic; Terrill and Daigle are Baptist — the sisters sat together in the front pew of Daigle’s church Friday and spoke passionately about their beliefs and fears.
... The sisters said that as much as they hear that gays and lesbians are discriminated against, it feels now that those who oppose same-sex marriage are the ones being treated with bias. Terrill said she lost a job over her views, and Litalien worries about saying where she lives for fear of retaliation.
“We are now the ones being forced into the shadows,” Daigle said. She said Maine voters decided the issue once when a citizen referendum overturned state legislation legalizing same-sex marriage.
... Many simply don’t dare to speak up for fear of being labeled hateful, Daigle said.
“Do you know how much courage it takes to go out in front of people and put up signs not to redefine marriage?” she asked. “How much courage it takes to put it on the back of your car? You could have your windows broken.”
They know some in the Christian Civic League who have applied for and been granted concealed weapon permits because they faced death threats and other types of harassment.
Video: "Let's Celebrate Marriage"
We're excited to welcome another high-quality video explaining why we have laws defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. This one is by the Coalition for Marriage in Britain, which has also gathered over 600,000 signatures in defense of marriage:
UK B&B Couple Subject to Obscene Messages, Harassment In Addition to $6,000 Court Fine
Before being forced by a judge to pay a $6,000 settlement, the Christians owners of a bed & breakfast in England were also subjected to attacks and harassment aimed at harming their livelihood:
"...Susanne Wilkinson said: “We believe a person should be free to act upon their sincere beliefs about marriage under their own roof without living in fear of the law. Equality laws have gone too far when they start to intrude into a family home.
“People’s beliefs about marriage are coming under increasing attack, and I am concerned about people’s freedom to speak and act upon these beliefs,” she told the institute.
She said all she was trying to do was live as a Christian.
“It’s quite wrong to punish me for that, especially after enduring over two years of vile abuse and threats,” she said.
Wilkinson and her husband say they have received “hundreds of emails an hour” and threatening phone threats and texts because of their faith.
Mike Wilkinson said, “One was hand-delivered and handwritten in capitals and said, ‘I am coming to burn your house down.’”
“We find this a strange justice in a society that aspires to be increasingly tolerant,” said Susanne Wilkinson.
The Christian Institute’s Mike Judge said: “Yes, Mrs. Wilkinson’s B&B is a business, but it’s also a family home. The law should be more flexible in allowing people to live according to their own values under their own roof. A bit more balance is needed, rather than allowing one set of rights to automatically suppress another.”
They said they experienced not only arson and death threats, but obscene messages, bogus reviews, canceled bookings and other harassment. They said previously that in a Google review, someone encouraged others to come and smash up the house." -- WND
France Delays Debate on Gay Marriage as Opposition Increases
We've seen this happen time and time again -- gay marriage is introduced as inevitable, same-sex advocates are shocked to discover strong resistance to their plans, and traditional marriage ultimately wins:
France is delaying debate on a draft law authorizing gay marriage, as the government grapples with increasingly vocal opposition to the idea.
The legalization of same-sex marriages and adoption was one of the most contentious points in Socialist President Francois Hollande's election manifesto earlier this year.
Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault first named Oct. 31 as the date when government ministers would present the law, insisting there would be no backtracking.
But his office said Friday that this date has been pushed back to Nov. 7. And the debate in parliament is now expected to last until January.
On Thursday, France's Chief Rabbi Gilles Bernheim joined other religious leaders in opposing the plans, while more than 1,200 French mayors and their deputies have signed a petition protesting them. -- AP
Billy Graham Buys Full-Page Ad in Top Newspapers Urging Support for "Biblical Definition of Marriage"
The most famous and revered pastor in America, Billy Graham, is calling on voters to cast a ballot for their faith in full-page ads in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and other newspapers.
Graham's picture appears prominently in the ads, next to copy that reads, "As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election could be my last."
It continues, "I believe it is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the sanctity of life and support the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God."
The ad hit the prominent papers Wednesday and Thursday, and could hit a dozen more newspapers, a week after the famed evangelist met with Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney at Graham's Montreat, North Carolina, home ...
Video: New Reject R-74 Ad: "Examples"
Examples of pro-marriage individuals being fined, sued and harassed after marriage is redefined are real, argues this new ad by Preserve Marriage Washington:
Video: A Look at the Consequences of Redefining Marriage in European Countries
Kalley Yanta of the Minnesota Marriage Minute explains:
"In 2004 Swedish pentecostal pastor Ake Green was sentenced to one month in jail for showing disrespect for homosexuals in a sermon he delivered in the pulpit from 2003 ... shifting to the Netherlands, ever since the Dutch passed registered partnerships in 1997 followed by formal same-sex marriage in 2000, their out-of-wedlock birth rate has been moving up at a striking clip."
NOM Commits Additional $200K to Defeat Gay Marriage in Washington
"...National Organization for Marriage, which has masterminded anti-same sex marriage campaigns in other states, has put another $199,970 into the campaign against Washington’s Referendum 74.
The NOM has now given $1.225 million to Preserve Marriage Washington, which has raised just under $2 million to fight the statewide ballot measure."
Find out how you can help at www.PreserveMarriageWashington.com.
Photos: Communities of Color Hold Press Conference Endorsing Reject R-74
The movement to protect marriage is diverse and inclusive! Check out these photos provided by Preserve Marriage Washington, which is urging Washingtonians to reject Referendum-74 (gay marriage):