Free Republic

ABOVE THE HATE (NOTE: Maggie Gallagher is the president of the National Organization for Marriage, which is sponsoring an AbovetheHate.com campaign.) Take this column with a grain of salt. I've been an opinion journalist for 20 years, but when it comes to marriage I'm an activist for a cause I passionately believe in. This November, in the middle of a great blue Obama tide, Americans in three states spoke up clearly to agree: Marriage is the union of husband and wife. That's an ideal which most Americans, whether they are black or white, Democrat or Republican, evangelical or Mormon, cherish....

Across the country the issue of “gay marriage” is being debated, examined, voted on and legislated. Groups, both pro and con, have taken to the streets from Massachusetts and Connecticut to both ends of California to express their support and opposition to legislating finality to this issue. While the answer to this ideological impasse may indeed come from legislation, it may come in an unexpected form and require those on both sides of the issue to dial back on their own self-importance. At the risk of leaving many a religious person’s mouth agape, I don’t have a problem with people...

The official proponents of Proposition 8 and ProtectMarriage.com – Yes on 8, the campaign committee responsible for its enactment by voters today said it is “profoundly gratified” that the California Supreme Court granted all their requests by agreeing to accept original jurisdiction of three cases challenging the measure’s validity, granted their request to intervene in the cases as Real Parties in Interest, denied the request of others to delay implementation of Proposition 8, and refused to allow outside groups to directly participate in the litigation. “This is a great day for the rule of law and the voters of California,”...

Elation over Barack Obama’s victory two weeks ago was dampened by less good news for left-leaning voters, as same-sex marriage bans passed in Arizona, California, and Florida. For many gay activists, the new bans in Arizona and California were particularly disheartening, given that Arizona voted down a similar ban two years ago and that California has been allowing same-sex marriage since this summer. Over 40 states have now passed bans on gay marriage, leaving Connecticut and Massachusetts as the sole states allowing the practice. Proponents of gay marriage have been quick to respond to this setback. In recent days, an...

You Will Need To: Bring a photo ID to get into the Capitol Know your State Representative’s and State Senator’s names before you arrive Call or E-mail Kathy with Number Attending _____ Rally _____ Lunch **(Lunch location below) YOUR VOICE NEEDS TO BE HEARD! Come and let us stand together to protect God-ordained marriage in Illinois! www.IllinoisFamily.org Wednesday, November 19, 2008 Statewide Citizens Rally & Lobby Day 1:00 p.m. at Lincoln Statue

The official proponents of Proposition 8 and the campaign committee responsible for its enactment by voters today urged the California Supreme Court to accept original jurisdiction of three cases challenging the measure's validity and have petitioned the Supreme Court to intervene in the cases as Real Parties in Interest. Expressing confidence that the Supreme Court will uphold the validity of Proposition 8, the authors of the measure urged the Supreme Court to deny requests to stay implementation of Proposition 8 pending resolution of the legal issues. In calling for the Supreme Court to take original jurisdiction of three challenges to...

Rally for Marriage When Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 1 – 2pm Note Join Illinois families from around the state to Rally at the Capital for Marriage, at the Lincoln Statute on 2nd St. and Capitol Drive Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 1 PM.

Today, leaders representing the broad coalition of Californians who supported Proposition 8 called on leaders of the No on Proposition 8 campaign, in addition to Senator Diane Feinstein and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, to denounce the attacks against citizens who supported the constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman. "Amidst all this lawlessness, harassment, trampling of civil rights and now domestic terrorism, one thing stands out: the deafening silence of our elected officials. Not a single elected leader has spoken out against what is happening. Where is Governor Arnold Schwarzenengger while churches are being attacked? And where...

ProtectMarriage.com was disappointed to hear that the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has disregarded the will of the people of Los Angeles and the rest of the state by voting to join a lawsuit filed by the City of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Clara county challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8. “This is a legal issue for the court to decide,” said Andy Pugno, ProtectMarriage.com attorney. “It doesn’t matter how many politicians line up to ask the court to overturn Prop 8. What matters is that the majority of the voters approved Proposition 8, regardless of opposition...

In last Tuesday’s election, the people of California placed the traditional definition of marriage into the state Constitution. This victory would not have been possible without the support of our 70,000 contributors and over 100,000 dedicated volunteers. It was accomplished with the strong participation of about 80% of California voters, or nearly 14 million people participating in this expression of the People’s will. It is the same process that resulted in the historic election of Barack Obama as President of the United States – with about the same percentage of the national vote as received by Proposition 8 in California....

Reporting from Sacramento and Pasadena -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today expressed hope that the California Supreme Court would overturn Proposition 8, the ballot initiative that outlawed same-sex marriage. He also predicted that the 18,000 gay and lesbian couples who have already married would not be affected by the initiative. "It's unfortunate, obviously, but it's not the end," Schwarzenegger said in an interview on CNN this morning. "I think that we will again maybe undo that, if the court is willing to do that, and then move forward from there and again lead in that area."

In the midst of a far-left Senator's sweeping victory to become the first black president of the United States, voters in three states stood on moral principle to solidly support the institution of marriage as an exclusive union between a man and a woman. Ironically, many of those who voted for liberal president-elect Obama also voted to support traditional marriage. In fact, analysts report that the marriage measures would not have passed without black voter support - seven in 10 black voters supported the ballot initiative. To me, that fact indicates that many citizens voted to support a black...

News AnalysisFolks, they are mad and they are not afraid to express it. Militants who favored the legality of same-sex marriage in California and who worked to defeat an amendment to the state's constitution aimed at reversing a decision made by a handful of judges legalizing it, have now taken to the streets in protest. The dejected militant's primary target seems to be the Mormon Church, whose network of members, devotees, and sympathizers proved stronger than the power of Hollywood celebrities and Liberal money. Watch as the defeated crowd vent their rage at the gate of Los Angeles' Mormon Temple.I...

Cheryl Weston once attended a wedding ceremony for gay friends, but on Election Day, she voted for a constitutional amendment to declare marriage in California as only between a man and a woman. "It was called a holy union, but I don't know how holy it was," said Weston, a Sacramento barber. Weston, 44, is one of an overwhelming number – 70 percent – of black voters in California who voted for Proposition 8 and helped secure its passage, according to exit polling conducted by Edison Media Research and Mitofsky International. African Americans, energized by Barack Obama's presidential bid, boosted...

The backlash against the church — and by extension Utah — has been immediate. Protests erupted outside Mormon temples, Facebook groups formed telling people to boycott Utah, and Web sites such as mormonsstoleourrights.com began popping up, calling for an end to the church's tax-exempt status. Church spokeswoman Kim Farah said in a statement about the temple protests Friday that it is "disturbing" that the church is being singled out for exercising its right to speak up in a free election. "While those who disagree with our position on Proposition 8 have the right to make their feelings known, it is...

Introduction The California Supreme Court recently ruled that same-sex marriage was legal in California. Recognizing the importance of marriage to society, the Church accepted an invitation to participate in ProtectMarriage, a coalition of churches, organizations, and individuals sponsoring a November ballot measure, Proposition 8, that would amend the California state constitution to ensure that only a marriage between a man and a woman would be legally recognized. (Information about the coalition can be found at http://www.protectmarriage.com/). On June 20, 2008, the First Presidency of the Church distributed a letter about “Preserving Traditional Marriage and Strengthening Families,” announcing the Church’s participation...

Opponents of a ballot measure to end gay marriage in California conceded defeat today - two days after voters repealed a state Supreme Court decision that has allowed same-sex couples to wed since May. With all precincts in the state counted, Proposition 8 was leading by a 52.5 percent to 47.5 percent margin. Opponents had held out hope that they could overcome a 400,000 deficit when provisional and absentee ballot were counted. But during a telephone conference today with reporters, opponents acknowledged that waiting for the final tally would be fruitless.

A lot can change in four years - and we're not just talking about who occupies the Oval Office. In 2004, when President Bush was re-elected, Sen. Dianne Feinstein was quick to lay some of the blame at Mayor Gavin Newsom's feet. Earlier that year, the mayor had allowed thousands of same-sex couples to marry. When asked whether the weddings hurt the Democrats, Feinstein - herself a former San Francisco mayor and mentor of Newsom's - said this: "I believe it did energize a very conservative vote. It gave them a position to rally around. The whole issue has been...

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA; AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION OF ARIZONA BY ADDING ARTICLE RELATING TO MARRIAGE. Arizona's Proposition 102 "ONLY A UNION OF ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN SHALL BE VALID OR RECOGNIZED AS A MARRIAGE IN THIS STATE." 56.5% Yes 43.5% No

Prop 8 has passed! "YES" has won........but will the State challenge it? What can we do to keep "Yes on 8"?

“The lawsuit filed today by the ACLU and Equality California seeking to invalidate the decision of California voters to enshrine traditional marriage in California’s constitution is frivolous and regrettable. These same groups filed an identical case with the California Supreme Court months ago, which was summarily dismissed. We will vigorously defend the People’s decision to enact Proposition 8. This is the second time that California voters have acted to define marriage as between a man and a woman. It is time that the opponents of traditional marriage respect the voters’ decision. The ACLU/Equality California lawsuit is completely lacking in merit....

Florida voters pass marriage amendment by: Jessica Gresko 11/05/08 MIAMI (AP) -- Florida voters inserted into the state constitution a ban on same-sex marriage, narrowly passing Amendment 2 in Tuesday's election. The amendment further cements an existing prohibition against gay marriage in state law. Supporters said defining marriage in the constitution as between a man and a woman will help prevent court rulings allowing same-sex

LOS ANGELES -- A proposed ban on same-sex marriage in California -- widely seen as the most momentous of the 153 ballot measures at stake nationwide -- remained undecided early Wednesday. The proposed constitutional amendment would limit marriage to heterosexual couples, the first time such a vote has taken place in state where gay unions are legal. Sponsors of the ban declared victory early Wednesday, but the measure's opponents said too many votes remained uncounted for the race to be called. With 84 percent of precincts reporting early Wednesday, the ban had 4,605,065 votes, or 52 percent, to 4,293,068 votes,...

Yes 57% No 43% 3% reporting.

By Jessica Garrison, Maura Dolan and Nancy Vogel After losing at the polls, gay-rights advocates filed a legal challenge today in California Supreme Court to Proposition 8, a long-shot effort that the measure's supporters called an attempt to subvert the will of voters. Lawyers for same-sex couples said they will argue that the anti-gay-marriage measure was an illegal constitutional revision -- not a more limited amendment, as backers said. The legal action contends that Proposition 8 actually revises the state Constitution by altering such fundamental tenets as equal-protection guarantees. A measure to revise the state Constitution can be placed before...

Statement on Proposition 8 Passing by Ron Prentice, Chairman of ProtectMarriage.com – Yes on 8 November 04, 2008 This is a great day for marriage. The people of California stood up for traditional marriage and reclaimed this great institution. We are gratified that voters chose to protect traditional marriage and to enshrine its importance in the state constitution. We trust that this decision will be respected by all Californians. The Yes on Proposition 8 campaign has been the single largest, most powerful grassroots movement in the history of American ballot initiative campaigns. We raised approximately $40 million from over 70,000...

After an intense campaign that cost more than $75 million, California's voters have approved a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, dealing a huge blow to the gay rights movement and setting the stage for another round of court battles over the volatile issue. While the Yes on 8 campaign claimed victory just before midnight, the numbers continued to play out in their favor this morning. Still, advocates of same-sex marriage had clung to hopes that a surge of support from uncounted votes could still overcome the ban. But this morning, with 95 percent of precincts reporting, the measure passed with...

Along with the new Jewish year we welcomed a new cycle of Torah readings. For Californians, the first post-Sukkot Sabbath reading was particularly timely, coming as it did a mere 10 days before the 2008 elections. It should have given pause to Jewish opponents of Proposition 8, the measure aimed at amending California’s constitution to enshrine the traditional definition of marriage in state law. An assortment of arguments can be made in support of Proposition 8—from the deep and abiding connection of marriage with procreation, to the healthful effects for children of having both a mother and a father, to...

Five months and thousands of weddings after California's highest court sanctioned same-sex marriage, anxious eyes around the nation will closely follow voters Tuesday as they decide whether to turn back the clock. Given the state's size and influence, the vote on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage has become a referendum on sexual orientation and civil rights. Both sides call it the "Gettysburg" of the power struggle between the gay rights movement and the Christian right, with the victors capturing momentum in other states. "As California goes, so goes the nation," Mayor Gavin Newsom boldly predicted at a City Hall...

... At Qualcomm Stadium, thousands were attending TheCall, which organizers said is a prayer and fasting event in support of passage of Proposition 8, which would restore the legal definition of marriage to between a man and a woman. The event was scheduled to continue until 10 p.m. ... At Qualcomm, about one one-third of the stadium was full and the playing field packed as TheCall unfolded. It was part spiritual revival, part music festival and part political rally. People of all ages dressed for the warm weather, some in T-shirts supporting Proposition 8. A giant stage was erected under...

SAN FRANCISCO -- "Extremists." "Indoctrination." "Liars." "Destroy America." "Blackmail." Fiery words and harsh attacks are punctuating the campaigns surrounding Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage in California. In Bakersfield, supporters and opponents of Prop. 8 scuffle on a street corner. In the Los Angeles suburb of Torrance, a 23-year-old is charged with a felony hate crime for attacking a gay man with a "Yes on Prop. 8" lawn sign. On the Internet, terms like "homophobe" and "religious zealot" are fired back and forth on blogs and Web sites. "I've been doing campaigns for years, but I wasn't prepared for...

SAN FRANCISCO- When Californians vote on Proposition 8, they'll decide whether same-sex partners' right to marry will still exist as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday. What's less clear is the impact on as many as 16,000 gay and lesbian couples who have wed since June. Some legal commentators say Prop. 8, if passed Tuesday, would retroactively invalidate all same-sex marriages performed in the state since a state Supreme Court ruling legalizing such weddings took effect. Others say the court established rights that can't be taken away, even if the law changes.The answer could come from the same court that overturned California's...

Anxious Eyes on Calif. Measure Over Gay Marriage Friday, October 31, 2008 6:00 PM SAN FRANCISCO -- Five months and thousands of weddings after California's highest court sanctioned same-sex marriage, anxious eyes around the nation will closely follow voters Tuesday as they decide whether to turn back the clock. Given the state's size and influence, the vote on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage has become a referendum on sexual orientation and civil rights. Both sides call it the "Gettysburg" of the power struggle between the gay rights movement and the Christian right, with the victors capturing momentum in other...

... Theft and vandalism of Proposition 8 signs have been reported in Santa Ana, Yorba Linda, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Irvine and Laguna Hills. In Fullerton, five people were taken into custody after police there found 10 torn "Yes on Proposition 8" signs in their car. The suspects told police they had just attended a "No on 8" rally. In Irvine, two citizen arrests have been reported of people stealing or vandalizing "Yes" signs and on Tuesday, three students were stopped by a police officer in an area where several signs had the word "No" spray-painted over several "Yes" signs....

Story will air on local CBS station (CBS 47 )at 11:00 PM Death threats are made against Fresno Mayor Alan Autry for his support of Proposition 8. Prop 8 is a ballot measure that if approved by voters next Tuesday will define marriage as only between a man and a woman. (It would ban gay marriage.) Also, well known local Pastor Jim Franklin, also an outspoken supporter of Prop 8 has also recieved death threats against him, and his family. Local police Chief, Jerry Dyer confirms the threats and says the department is taking the threat seriously. Both men have...

Whether disapproving churches could be forced to choose between providing services to gay couples or losing their tax-exempt status is one of the questions swirling around Proposition 8, the Nov. 4 ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage. AdvertisementIn its May ruling legalizing same-sex marriage, the state Supreme Court made clear that it did not intend for the decision to be interpreted as interfering with a church's right to determine who it marries. Yesterday, 59 California law professors released a one-page position paper making their case that the state and federal constitutions provide ironclad protections for churches. “No church's tax-exempt...

Speaking out recently against Proposition 8, the proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown made an appeal for the importance of protecting the rights of same-sex couples. And then he urged his audience to vote yes on the proposition. Brown misspoke. He intended to advocate a no vote. But he isn’t alone in confusing which side is which. As election day nears, both supporters and opponents of Proposition 8 worry that voters will be confused by a choice that can seem counterintuitive: Voting no on the initiative means voting yes on gay marriage,...

Internal polling for proponents of Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage in California, shows the race tied; public polls have it tied at 44% to 44% with 12 percent undecided. Internal polling for opponents of proposition 8 have the race within the margin of error. So it's real close. Both sides are accusing other of dirty tactics; someone effectuated a denial-of-service attack on the No side's website. Yes on 8 director Frank Schubert says his side will have 100,000 volunteers on Election Day. (That's unlikely -- initiative directors like to equate their lists with their volunteers -- but even...

"The Field Poll shows that Prop 8's deceptive campaign has failed to move their numbers much at all. Prop 8 is trying to run a campaign to get to a Yes vote, yet they have remained in this and other polls well below the 50 percent margin necessary for success. We are running a No campaign, and we are successfully keeping our opponents below 50 percent. "We are highly energized across the state and we believe this will be a close election. We reject any suggestion that there will be a last minute surge for Prop 8 in a year...

Campaign finance records reveal that Alice Huffman, President of the California State NAACP, the only major African American leader in California to endorse legalized gay marriage, has received nearly $200,000 from the NO on 8 campaign in “fees” through her company AC Public Affairs. African American leaders throughout California were shocked when Huffman, as a member of the NAACP Board, endorsed the No on 8 campaign despite the statewide, unified voices of African American political and religious leaders in support of traditional marriage. Huffman has never taken a vote of NAACP chapters and members, which is customary before endorsing any...

Polls continue to slide for No on Prop 8 Equity for All, as reports leak out that the campaign’s management structure is in utter disarray. A series of orchestrated, factually false press statements have been issued alleging the sky will fall if Proposition 8 passes on Tuesday. “Clearly, this is nothing more than a floundering campaign grasping at straws to save its effort,” said Chip White, Protectmarriage.com – Yes on 8 campaign spokesman. “It’s quite sad because those who are hurt most are voters. We invited the No on Prop 8 campaign to debate Proposition 8 this weekend in a...

Hayward Parents Upset Over Anti-Gay Slur Pledge HAYWARD (AP) ― A Bay Area elementary school got caught in the crossfire of a ballot initiative seeking to outlaw same-sex marriage in California on Tuesday after a kindergarten teacher asked her pupils to sign pledge cards promising not to use anti-gay slurs. ProtectMarriage.com, the coalition of social and religious conservative groups sponsoring Proposition 8, offered the episode at Faith Ringgold Elementary School in Hayward as proof for its claim that the measure is needed to prevent public schools from discussing gay unions with students. "Since the words 'between a man and a...

YES ON 8 CHALLENGES SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION JACK O’CONNELL TO LIVE DEBATE Yes on 8 Says Debate Will Make It Clear: If we do not Pass Proposition 8, Gay Marriage Will Be Taught in California Public Schools, and that is Already Happening October 28, 2008 SACRAMENTO – The Protectmarriage.com – Yes on 8 campaign today challenged Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell and the No on 8 campaign to a live, televised debate this weekend so voters can learn the truth about the issue of gay marriage being taught in California public schools. The Yes on 8 Campaign, in...

It is simply amazing how the "No on Prop. 8" campaign is unwilling to stand up for what it believes. For a week now the campaign has said one thing; yet it believes something else. What do I mean? Well, the "No on Prop. 8" campaign maintains that, if Proposition 8 fails, kids will not be exposed to same-sex marriage instruction in school; yet it maintains that gay marriage is a fundamental right. Huh? If gay marriage is a fundamental right, then it should be taught in school. Can you think of another fundamental right that is not taught in...

Vandals hit two S.J. homes with signs supporting ban on same-sex marriage For the second time in a week, homeowners in South San Jose have been targeted for their support of a proposition that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Unlike the previous incident where no law was broken, the culprits who spray-painted large "No on 8" messages Sunday night on the garage doors of two homes on a cul-de-sac near Monterey and Bernal roads could face jail time and a fine if arrested and convicted. San Jose police were called to the scene...

California's first lady says she is voting against a ballot initiative that would prohibit same-sex couples from getting married in California. Maria Shriver said in an interview with KNBC-TV in Los Angeles that she is voting no on Proposition 8. Shriver said, "I believe in people's right to choose a partner that they love, and that's a decision that I have come to, and I have felt that way for a long time." Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger also opposes Prop. 8.

Why Republicans should vote no on Prop 8 Republicans often say that courts should apply the law, not create it. It was really quite a stretch for the California Supreme Court to say that the Constitution of California already contains a right for same-sex marriage, when the Constitution doesn't say a word about it. The truth is: It's a new issue. To those who say the Court got it wrong, I say: I agree. It's for us to decide. Now, let's make the right decision. And that right decision, in my view, is to allow same-sex marriage in California.Republicans believe...

TALLAHASSEE - Love it or hate it, most Florida voters have made up their minds about a ballot amendment to ban same-sex marriage. And most likely, a new poll shows, they'll vote to insert a definition of marriage into the state's constitution. An Orlando Sentinel poll released Thursday found Amendment 2 -- which defines marriage as "only one man and one woman" -- had support from 56 percent of likely voters, while 37 percent opposed it. That's barely changed from a 55-to-34 margin in a similar survey two weeks ago. The remaining 7 percent of undecided voters will determine whether...

Supporters of Proposition 8, which would ban gay marriage, say a concern for children and respecting the desire of voters are the issues at the heart of their campaign. Interviews indicate, however, that preserving the traditional definition of marriage for historical and religious reasons is a priority for some in the campaign more than the welfare of kids. Chip White, the Yes on 8 press secretary, said he is opposed to gay marriage because voters are "overwhelmingly" against it. In 2000, voters passed Proposition 22 which amended the state Education Code to say that only marriage between men and women...

Rick Warren, nationally acclaimed pastor and author of the New York Times bestselling “The Purpose Driven Life,” announced today his support in favor of Proposition 8, California’s Protect Marriage Act. Warren, founder and senior pastor of Saddleback Church, affirmed his support of the proposition, which would restore the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, in his News and Views email which is distributed to church members. “For 5,000 years, every culture and every religion - not just Christianity - has defined marriage as a contract between men and women,” Warren wrote. “There is no reason to...