9.26.06

A Brief Note...
On Friday, September 22nd, I had the honor of participating in a panel discussion at the Family Research Council's Washington Briefing with ADF founder Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family (right), and FRC President Tony Perkins (center).

Our topic was the ongoing effort by all three of our organizations in the battle to preserve marriage as a union between one man and one woman. I was able to share about the eight God-given legal victories for marriage this past summer, but also remind those in attendance that the battle is FAR from over. It was a great honor for me to share the podium with my dear friends and colleagues. Please continue to pray for wisdom of all of our efforts, and that God's people will continue to stand strong in defense of marriage.

Despite Recent Victories, We Must Remain Vigilant...
This summer has been one of tremendous blessings in the ongoing legal battle to protect, defend, and affirm marriage. But despite eight God-given victories, the war is far from over. ADF and its allies must remain fully energized and engaged, as advocates of homosexual behavior continue their legal assault on marriage and the family.

In Maryland, ADF attorneys have filed a friend-of-the-court brief affirming marriage in the Maryland Court of Appeals (the state's highest court) on behalf of our ally, the Family Research Council. A copy of the brief can be read at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/ConawayAmicus.pdf.

The ACLU sued, demanding several same-sex couples be "married." In January 2006, a state circuit court ruled that denying "marriage" was "sex discrimination" and in violation of the state's Equal Rights Amendment.

ADF Senior Legal Counsel Chris Stovall says: "Only by radically redefining the institution of marriage could the trial court have concluded that the state of Maryland engaged in sex discrimination by defining marriage as it has always been defined. Since this trial court ordered the redefinition of marriage...two state supreme courts and a federal appeals court have held it is constitutional for states to protect the definition of marriage as the union of a man and a woman. We're confident that the Maryland high court will agree."

Learn more by reading the ADF press release...

In New York, ADF attorneys have filed two lawsuits on behalf of Empire State taxpayers in state court to block efforts by public officials to "recognize" out-of -state same-sex "marriages."

In July of this year, New York's highest court ruled to preserve the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. Also in July, a New York judge ruled that a Canadian same-sex "marriage" was by definition not a marriage under New York law, and as a result, the same-sex partner was not entitled to state insurance benefits under New York Civil Service law.

In the first case, Godfrey v. Hevesi, the taxpayers charge that the New York State Comptroller acted illegally in his role as head of the state retirement system by issuing a policy "recognizing" out-of-state same-sex "marriages" for all purposes under the state retirement system. A copy of the complaint can be read at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/HevesiComplaint.pdf.

In the second case, Godfrey v. Spano, the taxpayers allege that the Westchester County Executive acted illegally by issuing an executive order directing all county officials to "recognize" out-of-state same-sex "marriages." County officials were ordered to extend foreign same-sex "marriages" all the same rights as legally married New York couples. A copy of that complaint can be read at www.telladf.org/UserDocs/SpanoComplaint.pdf.

Please pray. We will keep you posted on these continued legal battles to undermine marriage. In the meantime, we cannot rest and we must persevere. This is a long-term battle - and I am confident that if God's people continue to remain vigilant - we CAN and we WILL win!

Learn more about these cases by reading the ADF press release...

Prayer Requests | Visit the ADF prayer page
"Without Christ, we can do nothing." - John 15:5

1. Please continue to pray for the same-sex "marriage" decisions presently pending in New Jersey, California, and Maryland.
   
2. Please pray for continued wisdom for the many legal battles ahead.