Brian Brown, president of the National
Organization for Marriage (NOM), on Wednesday praised a federal
judge's ruling upholding Louisiana's ban on gay marriage.
U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman's
ruling is the first federal decision to uphold a state marriage ban
since the Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the Defense of
Marriage Act (DOMA) last year.
(Related: Federal
judge upholds Louisiana's gay marriage ban; says it's “anchored to
democratic process”)
“This is a great win for the cause of
marriage,” Brown said in a blog post, “coming as it does on the
heels of other pro-marriage court victories, that puts the lie to the
claim that it is inevitable the U.S. Supreme Court will redefine
marriage. To the contrary, we believe they will leave this issue
with the states.”
Brown is most likely referring to
dissents by two judges in two federal appeals courts. However, the
courts' majorities struck down the bans. A state judge in Tennessee
also recently upheld that state's ban.
“Here we see the house of cards
collapsing that supported the myth that redefining marriage is
inevitable,” Brown said.
“Judge Feldman has authored a
powerful opinion that points the US Supreme Court in the direction of
upholding state marriage laws and constitutional amendments,” Brown
added. “He finds what should be obvious to everyone, that states
have a legitimate concern in 'linking marriage to children with
intact families.' It is perfectly appropriate for voters to
determine if they wish to decide for themselves whether they wish to
redefine this age-old institution that has served society so well.
Overwhelmingly, voters have rejected redefining marriage, and we
expect the US Supreme Court to do so as well.”