Tony Perkins, president of the
Christian conservative Family Research Council (FRC), 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”)
Perkins, a strong opponent of gay
rights, called Feldman's ruling “a victory for children,” which
could be interpreted as an attack on gay parenting.
“This ruling is a victory for
children, each of whom need and desire a mom and dad, something our
public policy should encourage. This decision is a victory for the
rule of law, and for religious liberty and free speech which are
undermined anywhere marriage is redefined,” Perkins
said in a statement.
“We commend Judge Feldman for
refraining from judicial activism and recognizing that Louisiana
voters are free to uphold natural marriage in their state's public
policy. He rightly declared that the Courts have no authority to
unilaterally change the definition of our most fundamental social
institution.”
“We thank Louisiana Attorney General
Buddy Caldwell and his special counsel, Kyle Duncan and Mike Johnson,
for their work to defend natural marriage and the rule of law,” he
added.