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Protect against Title IX and submit a comment by September 12, 2022.

The US Department of Education released their proposed changes to Title IX regulations that would dramatically change the future for women and girls in federally funded activities and programs. There are many negative impacts that will harm girls, women, and families.

A government portal has been set up for you to make a comment submission.  It is very straight-forward and easy to do.  In addition, this governmental body is required to read every submission, large and small – before they can finalize the new “Rule.”  So rest assured, your input will be read and considered.

Make your submission

TAKE A STAND TODAY

You Decide the Fate of Marriage!

by | Oct 27, 2012 | Marriage, Proposition 8, Same-Sex Attraction, Same-Sex Marriage

U.S.  Marriage Score today:  0-32

To say it is a pivotal time for marriage would be quite an understatement!  Supporters of same-sex marriage are energized by recent developments such as the extreme support of so-called “gay rights” by a sitting U.S. President, including his reversal and now support of same-sex marriage, the abolition of the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy, and this president’s refusal to defend the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (his stated preference is to have the DOMA abolished). 

Add to this various court actions such as the striking down of California’s Prop 8, the imposition of same-sex marriage by the courts upon the citizens of Iowa and ballot initiatives in four states that may bring to the U.S. the first time that same-sex marriage would be legalized by popular vote.

Yes, it appears that the trajectory of events favors gay advocates.  But not so fast!   Will “gay marriage” carry the day this fall?  We feel confident in saying “Absolutely not!” Especially if each one of us recognizes the threat and gets involved.   In that spirit, we thought it would be helpful to give a brief run-down on the state of marriage – not only in the U.S. but in other countries as well.

The State of Marriage in the U.S.

  • Dating back to 1998, 32 states in the U.S. have held votes on same-sex marriage, and all 32 have opposed it.  We can’t sit back and assume that will always be the case, but 0-32 is a pretty good score!  It also reveals the depth of the commitment of the American people to traditional marriage.
  • Thirty-one U.S. states have some type of constitutional amendments defining marriage.  (Hawaii is included in this list, but their amendment gives authority to their legislature to determine the definition of marriage; however, state courts cannot change the definition.)
  • Twenty of the 31 states have amendments that additionally ban civil unions or domestic partnerships.
  • Only six states (plus the District of Columbia) currently grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples, so the number of states which define marriage as the union of a man and a woman is currently 44, not just 31.
  • The six states which grant marriage licenses to same-sex couples are:  Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, and New York. (plus the District of Columbia)   In none of these states was same-sex marriage legalized via popular referendum.
  • Nine states allow civil Unions:  California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.

What is at stake for marriage in November 2012?

1)  Minnesota:  a constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man/one woman is on the ballot.    Vote

“Yes” on the Minnesota Marriage Protection Amendment.  If the marriage amendment is defeated, it would still take a legislative act, court ruling or future popular vote to legalize gay marriage.

2)  Maine:   Maine voters in 2009 reversed the legislative legalization of same-sex marriage (“people’s veto”).  Pro-gay marriage advocates, however, have placed the issue on the ballot for 2012 to see if the citizens of Maine have had a change of heart and will now vote to legalize same-sex marriage. 

3)  Maryland:  Early in 2012 the Maryland legislature passed and the governor signed “The Civil Marriage Protection Act” legalizing same-sex marriage in Maryland.  A “no” vote on Question 6 will reverse this legislation.  Otherwise same-sex marriage will be legal in Maryland beginning January 1, 2013

4)  Washington State:   a “reject” vote on Referendum 74 would repeal Senate Bill 6239 which legalized same-sex marriage (SB 6239 was signed by the governor on Feb. 13, 2012).

Countries that have legalized same-sex “marriage”   

  • Netherlands
  • Belgium
  • Spain
  • Canada
  • South Africa
  • Norway
  • Sweden
  • Portugal
  • Iceland
  • Argentina
  • Denmark                      

This may seem like a lot of countries until you remember that the UN recognizes at least 192 nations.  The worldwide score for same-sex marriage:  11 to 192.

There are constant and concerted efforts to redefine marriage occurring in many nations of the world.  Britain currently has an aggressive and vocal group of politicians who are determined to redefine marriage in that country, but that effort is being met with stiff resistance.  The government of France recently announced that it is considering legalizing same-sex marriage and their intent to eliminate the words “mother” and “father” from their legal documents has been widely publicized. 

Yet in September, Australia’s parliament voted overwhelmingly to reject same-sex marriage. This shocked the gay rights establishment who had been convinced that they had the legalization of same-sex marriage in the bag.

What Can I Do to Help?  

  • Watch and pass on this excellent video by National Organization for Marriage. You can view “Marriage = Biology (Not Bigotry) here.   
  • Realize the importance of your own marriage and work to strengthen it.  If you are not yet married, prepare yourself to be the best marriage partner possible.
  • No matter what country you live in; stand up and speak up.  Share what you know about the importance traditional marriage to children and to society. 
  • If you live in any of the states that have a marriage initiative on the ballot (Washington, Maine, Minnesota, Maryland), join with the groups promoting traditional marriage – give them your money and your time.  Help get your like-minded neighbors out to vote.   If you know anyone in these states, please share this information with them.  We must do all we can to keep marriage safe.   You might also consider a donation to the traditional marriage campaigns.
  • Get out and vote! We need elected leaders who will support a pro-family position on all the issues.

Conclusion

“The future belongs to those people and cultures that deeply commit to ideas grounded in human nature:  Men and women are not interchangeable units; sex has a meaning beyond immediate pleasure, society needs babies; children need mothers and fathers;  marriage is a word for the way we join men and women to make the future happen.”  

Maggie Gallagher penned that statement almost 10 years ago.  We at United Families have quoted her often and her words ring truer today than ever.  Read it again.  You will see that it is the essence of the battle we face.   We know that there is an often silent majority of people who understand the nature of marriage and its critical importance to children and to the vitality of nations.  But we can be silent no more. 

We saw that silent majority rise up this past summer when thousands upon thousands of individuals around the U.S. came together in support of Chick-fil-A .  They came in support of traditional marriage and free speech.  A similar outpouring is required once again – in every state and in every country where traditional marriage is being threatened.  You are needed.  Please answer the call.

Carol Soelberg
President, United Families International