Decision text here.

SAN FRANCISCO – The California Supreme Court released its decision today overturning Proposition 22, which had defined marriage as between one man and one woman.

“Thanks to the more than 1 million Californians who signed petitions, these out-of-touch judges will not have the last word on marriage,” says Brian Brown, executive director of the National Organization for Marriage California (NOM-CA), “California voters will.”

To schedule an interview with Brian Brown, Executive Director, NOM– California, contact Elizabeth Ray (x 130, eray@crcpublicrelations.com) or Mary Beth Hutchins (x.105, mhutchins@crcpublicrelations.com) by calling 703-683-5004.

We reached our goal! As reported in the AP story below, working together with ProtectMarriage.com, we successfully collected 1.1 million signatures to put the California marriage amendment on the ballot in November. Now that the amendment is successfully on the ballot, we need to raise $10 million for a costly general election campaign. Can you stand with us today? Every dollar raised will go directly into the campaign -- producing and airing the best radio and TV ads, direct mail, yard signs, and "get out the vote" efforts. 

To donate, click here.

To read "Backers of Calif. gay marriage ban ready to submit petitions," ASSOCIATED PRESS, April 21, 2008, click here.

In his address to the U.S. Catholic bishops, Pope Benedict just delivered a strong message: it's your job to stand for, evangelize and educate on marriage: "It is your task to proclaim boldly the arguments from faith and reason in favor of the institution of marriage, understood as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman, open to the transmission of life. This message should resonate with people today, because it is essentially an unconditional and unreserved 'yes' to life, a 'yes' to love, and a 'yes' to the aspirations at the heart of our common humanity, as we strive to fulfill our deep yearning for intimacy with others and with the Lord."

For the full text of Pope Benedict's message to the Catholic bishops, click here.

For a compendium of all Pope Benedict's statements on marriage, click here (PDF file). 

California has a chance to enshrine the common-sense definition of marriage in its state constitution in November 2008 . . . but only if Californians come together and qualify a constitutional amendment by collecting 1.1 Million signatures by April. CLICK HERE for three simple things you can do to protect marriage in California.

A recent article posted on 365Gay.com reports that the New Jersey Legislature is unlikely to consider same-sex marriage legislation until after the November elections, linking Democratic leaders' concerns about creating a wedge issue to NOM's recent radio ad campaign in the state:  

In the face of a same-sex marriage bill filed in the New Jersey legislature with the Orwellian title "Civil Marriage and Religious Protection Act" (Assembly version, A3685; Senate version S2898), the National Organization for Marriage has launched a radio ad campaign urging state residents to contact their legislators in support of traditional marriage.   The ads feature children questioning the implications of same-sex marriage.  Click here to listen to this groundbreaking ad airing on 101.5  FM and 97.3 FM.