NOM, the National Organization For Marriage, is funding the anti-gay marriage attacks by Minnesota For Marriage, which just released a video suggesting that “redefining marriage,” i.e., the legalization of same-sex marriage, could lead to pastors facing prison or other “legal consequences” if they “don’t agree with the new definition.”
WATCH: NOM’s Anti-Gay Minnesota Marriage Group Uses Fraudulent Regnerus Study In New Video
“Activists in support of same-sex ‘marriage’ claim redefining marriage has no consequences for anyone other than same-sex couples who want to be married,” Minnesota For Marriage’s Kally Yanta claims, in this new video funded by NOM. “This is false. Gay marriage does not exist in the law alongside traditional marriage. Marriage will be redefined as genderless for everyone, and those who don’t agree with the new definition, such as pastors, religious groups, and people of faith, will find themselves in conflict with the law and face potential legal consequences.”
“Genderless”? Really?
Such fear-mongering and scare tactics are so obvious, it’s nearly impossible to think many people in Minnesota would fall for it.
Voters in Minnesota will decide not whether they want to approve same-sex marriage — it’s already illegal there. They will decide if they want to write discrimination directly into their constitution by voting for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Yanta warns that if the amendment fails, clergy members might “face legal consequences,” which is true only to the extent that the law would not change, just become art of the constitution, making it nearly impossible to overturn or repeal. In other words, nothing really changes except that same-sex marriage would be nearly-permanently banned forever in Minnesota, which, of course, NOM and Yanta don’t say.
Minnesota For Marriage claims to be “a broad coalition of leaders, both inter-faith and people outside the religious community, who support the Minnesota Marriage Amendment and asked the Legislature to place it on the ballot,” but is comprised of only three groups: the Minnesota Family Council, Minnesota Catholic Conference, and NOM, the National Organization for Marriage.
Disgustingly, Yanta suggests that if same-sex marriage were to become legal, ministers and pastors could go to jail for preaching their faith — because, you know, other countries.
Then, ironically, Yanta implodes her own argument, noting that the First Amendment already protects clergy from performing same-sex marriages.
Yanta also ignores the fact that some religious groups support same-sex marriage, and this would curtail their religious liberties — something she could care less about.
Yanta laments that same-sex marriage legalization makes it harder for bigots to discrimiante, and that violates their religious freedoms. Ugly, hateful discrimination.
Pretend it’s 1950 and Yanta isn’t saying “gay,” she’s saying “Negro” or “interracial” or “Black.”
Any questions?
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The radical religious right has been increasing their attacks.
Last month, the infamous Archbishop John Nienstedt said Minnesota’s anti-gay marriage ballot initiative, for which he’s been leading the charge, is “not intended to be hurtful.â€
Fortunately, also last month, a new poll found Minnesota voters even split on the constitutional gay marriage ban, with 48% of voters supporting the ban and 47% of voters opposing it.
Lots of work to do.
Please share this and talk with anyone you know in Minnesota!
Related:
Springsteen Rocks For Marriage Equality
Watch: Married Catholic Republicans Against Banning Same-Sex Marriage
8 Year Old’s Letter: Will My Moms Will Go To Jail If Gay Marriage Ban Passes?