FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JULY 16, 2009
CONTACT: Elizabeth Ray, x130 or Mary Beth Hutchins, x105 at 703-683-5004

NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARRIAGE EXPRESSES CONCERN ABOUT SOTOMAYOR’S REFUSAL TO COMMENT ON GAY MARRIAGE

Will the Supreme Court Pick Impose Gay Marriage? NOM Reacts to Judge Sotomayor’s Testimony

(Washington, DC) - Maggie Gallagher, president of National Organization for Marriage (NOM) responded today to questions Judge Sonia Sotomayor faced from the Senate Judiciary Committee:

"Is gay marriage a fundamental right? When Sen. Graham, to his credit, raised the marriage issue, he did not ask Judge Sotomayor how she would vote,” stated Gallagher. “He asked her merely to explain her views on how the Supreme Court determines whether or not something is a "fundamental right." Her point blank refusal to answer a question that any first year law student could address, adds to growing concerns about her candor and honesty; Gay marriage advocates, the same people who declared over and over again that a federal marriage amendment was unnecessary, are now in federal court pressing for a declaration that gay marriage is a fundamental right whether we like it or not.”

“By refusing to answer basic questions about her views of the Constitution, Judge Sotomayor is not displaying the kind of integrity and honesty we expect from judges,” continued Gallagher. “All Americans who support marriage as the union of husband and wife--and every American who treasures democracy and freedom--has reason to be concerned. We are grateful to Sen. Graham, Sen. Cornyn, and Sen. Grassley for raising this important issue."

NOM’s mission is protecting marriage and the faith communities that sustain it. It is the only single-issue grassroots activist organization that is working to protect marriage in New York, New Jersey, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Iowa, in addition to other states. To learn more about NOM, visit www.nationformarriage.org.

To schedule an interview with Maggie Gallagher, President, or Brian Brown, Executive Director, for the National Organization for Marriage, please contact Elizabeth Ray, eray@crcpublicrelations.com, (x130) or Mary Beth Hutchins, mhutchins@crcpublicrelations.com, (x105) at 703-683-5004.

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