We Are Writing History
American pioneer author Laura Ingalls Wilder once told a journalist, “At the time, I didn’t know I was writing history.” Whether we know it or not, today we too are writing history–a history that will greatly impact generations to come.
History is not a spectator sport. As our friend Ryan T. Anderson observed, “We are participants in one of the most significant debates our society—any society—has ever faced.” We invite you to be a participant in history by SIGNING THE PETITION in support of Natural Marriage. We are only 1,500 signatures away from our goal, and this petition will be hand-delivered to the Governor of the State of Utah very soon.
Why Utah? On Dec 20, 2013, Utah was the first state in America to have a Federal Judge overturn their marriage amendment defining marriage between a man and a woman. This ruling created a “chaotic situation” within the state, and without, as since then the marriage amendments of 18 other states have been overturned.
After finally receiving a “stay” (hold) on same-sex weddings from the U.S. Supreme Court, Utah appealed the overturn of its marriage amendment to the 10th circuit court. On June 25, 2014 the 10th circuit became the first federal appeals panel in the nation to rule that Utah’s Amendment 3 was unconstitutional.
Utah then bypassed the option for a review by the full 10th circuit court, and on August 5, 2014, filed an appeal directly with the U.S. Supreme Court. Because the Utah case is the first to reach the Supreme court, if the Court agrees to hear it, their ruling could decide the fate of marriage for the rest of the United States.
Utah has urged the Supreme Court to to accept their marriage case without unnecessary delay: “The harm in waiting is significant, regardless of which side prevails. Either thousands of couples are being denied their constitutional right to marry, or millions of voters are being disenfranchised of their fundamental right to retain the definition of marriage that has existed since before the People ratified the United States Constitution.”
The question asked of the Court
The Utah brief asks the Supreme Court one question: “Whether the 14th Amendment prohibits a state from defining or recognizing marriage only as the legal union between a man and a woman.” In other words, whether “Utah is ‘competent’ to define marriage.”
The brief notes, “Dozens of cases are challenging state marriage laws, and erratic use of stays has created legal chaos. It comes down to this: thousands of couples are unconstitutionally being denied the right to marry, or millions of voters are being disenfranchised of their vote to define marriage.”
Utah explains to The Court that “there are two predominant and competing visions that have been advanced in state referenda across the country.” Rather than adopting the “adult-centric view” of marriage, the state of Utah defines marriage as a child-centered institution, “with a primary purpose of uniting every child to his or her biological mother and father whenever possible, and by a mother and father when not possible.”
“People can disagree,” the Utah brief continues, “But the question for this Court is not which view is better; it is whether the Constitution compels states to adopt either definition.”
The brief concludes, “Rewriting the Constitution to impose the Tenth Circuit’s marriage definition on every single State has consequences. It communicates that the marriage institution is more about adults than children. It teaches that mothers and fathers are interchangeable and therefore expendable. And it instills an incentive that citizens seeking social change should use the courts, rather than the democratic process, to achieve it. For all these reasons, the Court should grant Utah’s petition and reverse the Tenth Circuit.”
What do citizens say?
A recent poll in the state of Utah reported some good news: “A clear majority of Utahns remain opposed to same-sex marriage while supporting the state appealing the Amendment 3 fight to the Supreme Court.”
Amendment 3, which reads, “Marriage consists only of the legal union between a man and a woman. No other domestic union, however denominated, may be recognized as a marriage or given the same or substantially equivalent legal effect,” was approved in November 2004, by 66% of Utah voters. Last December, it was overturned by one Federal Judge, and is now in the hands of the Supreme Court.
We are writing history. Whether or not you live in Utah, please add your name in support of Utah’s appeal to the Supreme Court. Click here to SIGN THE MARRIAGE PETITION TODAY supporting Governor Gary Herbert and AG Sean Reyes in their defense of Utah’s Marriage Amendment.
Feel free to forward this to friends and family, inviting them to sign the Marriage Petition–but first delete the “unsubscribe” info at the bottom, so someone doesn’t inadvertently unsubscribe you from our mailing list.
We also invite you to consider giving a financial contribution to United Families International. With our well running dry this summer, we would be grateful for your most generous support as we continue to work together to defend the Natural Family.
Faithfully for Families,
Laura Bunker
United Families International, President