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Carol Turoff: Politic & Social Commentary
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NEWS & ANALYSIS
Sea of White: 8,000 Rally in Phoenix for Marriage
By Dennis Durband, Editor On the day that judicial tyranny-imposed homosexual marriage began in Massachusetts, 8,000 Arizonans rallied at the state capitol in defense of traditional marriage. A sea of white-clad men, women and children stood through mid-day heat at Wesley Bolin Plaza to hear a series of speakers defend the institution of marriage, before parading through the capitol grounds. Len Munsil, president of the sponsoring Center for Arizona Policy, opened the rally by putting the event into perspective. “We are here today in the name of love,” Munsil said. “We are celebrating the love of a husband and a wife and children. We are not here out of anger or hatred. Those who oppose us deserve our love, not our condemnation. We come in humility and recognize that all of us are culpable in undermining marriage. Neither our passion nor our humility requires our acquiescence to changing the institution of marriage. This was imposed on us by four unelected judges in Massachusetts. That is not the American way. Marriage between a man and a woman benefits society. We stand for marriage and against judicial tyranny.” One of the handful of homosexual activists in attendance – and certainly the most vocal -- was homosexual and former legislator Steve May. Dressed in black out of opposition to the white shirts and blouses worn by those in support of marriage, May told Munsil, “Len, you always put on a good show.” The next speaker was Nancy Salmon, president of the Arizona chapter of United Families International, based in Mesa. “Today, we meet at a historic crossroad,” said Salmon. “What about the right of every child to have a father and a mother? Can we remain a just society if we strip the rights of our most vulnerable members? Advocates for same-sex marriage speak of their rights. Children need both a mother and a father. It is not extremism, hatred or homophobic to recognize a societal need. Marriage is about making the next generation happen. Researcher Maggie Gallagher said that men and women are not interchangeable units. We’ve come to stand in defense of not only marriage, but of children and our future generations.” Leo Godzich, the founder and president of National Association Marriage Enhancement, called Monday a “sad day” and spoke of the societal benefits of marriage. “We are here on this sad day to defend the high cause of marriage,” Gozdich told the large audience. “This has implications legally, socially, and religiously. Marriage is associated with powerful social good, and it has economic benefits. Married men earn 20-40 percent more than unmarried men. Marriage increases the longevity in men; they live much longer when married; thank God for women! There are lower rates of illness and less requirements of government subsidies to live. Marriage lowers alcoholism and abuse. The highest rates of abuse for women occur in lesbian relationships. Marriage is the safest place for women. It is high time we returned to honoring the value of marriage to society.” Homosexual activists claim that their fight for marriage rights is akin to the civil rights struggles of American minorities in past decades. But Bishop Henry Barnwell, of First New Life Missionary Baptist Church of Phoenix, put that argument to rest. Barnwell said, “The defense of marriage is not about discrimination. As an African-American, I know something about discrimination. I find it offensive to call it that. In fact, that is ridiculous. It boggles my mind that people would compare marriage to slavery.” Barnwell also lent his support for the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment. “I am here today to state my support for the institute of marriage,” Barnwell said. “Many of the largest African-American denominations have come out in support of the Federal Marriage Amendment. We did not come to this conclusion lightly. We didn’t ask for a national debate on whether the institute of marriage be violated by a judge. Without marriage, it is hard to see how the community will survive. Children do best when raised by a mother and a father. It is not just about adults’ love. Marriage is about the future of children and society. Radicals want to write our values out of the constitution. Please, please, please, don’t take us out of the constitution.” Two additional speakers spoke in support of the time-honored tradition of marriage. Darryl Del Houssaye, Senior Pastor, Scottsdale Bible Church, asked why should the church even care about the definition of marriage. “The church is the conduit of love,” Del Houssaye said. “A holy God forgives sinners. We are all sinners. That’s not the issue. The issue is a gift. We are here to preserve something that was given. When two become one flesh, this is the gift of God’s design. God is sovereign. The greatest way we preserve marriage, men, is to love your wife. Cherish them and protect them. And wives, love your husband as Christ loves the church. In the context of love, you will see God glorified.” Ron Johnson, the director of the Arizona Catholic Conference who lobbied well on behalf of the informed consent bill earlier this legislative session, said the institute of marriage is under attack and must be protected. “Marriage is the foundation of the family,” Johnson said. “We are here to promote legislation to protect this fine institution. We can only prevail through a constitutional amendment. It passed by a 2-1 margin the state House. We are one vote short in the Senate. For the good of our society, I urge you to pass this resolution. Today is indeed a dark day.” The bill Johnson referred to -- HCR 2004/SCR 1004 – has not been able to garner the 16th vote that would allow it to pass the state Senate. The resolution does not need the governor’s consent. If passed by both houses of state government, it would be sent to Congress to indicate Arizona’s support of the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment. Following the rally speeches, those in attendance – many carrying signs – paraded through the courtyard of the state capitol, senate and house and then moved on the Arizona Supreme Court. Many people formed prayer groups on the grounds, prior to and following the rally. On May 25, the Arizona Supreme Court will determine whether or not it will hear the appeal of two homosexual men who were denied a marriage license in Phoenix last year. They sued for the right, lost and appealed to the high court. Notes: Only three homosexuals protested the rally, mostly in silence while holding signs at Wesley Bolin Plaza. … Following the rally, a handful of women went into the Arizona Supreme Court building and started to sing “God Bless America.” A security guard quickly told them they had to stop, so they moved toward the door and struck up the song again on their way out. … Cong. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Colorado), the author of the Federal Marriage Amendment, will be a guest June 12 at the Gilbert home of State Rep. Andy Biggs. The event is an open house and fundraiser for Republican Cong. Jeff Flake, running for re-election in District 6. To RSVP, call Mike at (480) 415-0232, or visit www.JeffFlake.com. Home |News |State Briefs |Editorials|Letters |Key Legislation |Privacy Policy |Contact Us
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“We are here today in the name of love. We are
celebrating the love of a husband and a wife and children. We are not
here out of anger or hatred. Those who oppose us deserve our love, not
our condemnation." Len Munsil, president, Center for Arizona Policy | |