the wourld cant wait

Task Force denounces Justice Sunday II backers for attacking the bedrock of American democracy
08/15/2005 (04:24 PM)

************************************************************** NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE Press Release

MEDIA CONTACT: Roberta Sklar 646.358.1465 rsklar [at] thetaskforce.org

Inga Sarda-Sorensen Deputy Director of Communications 646.358.1463 isorensen [at] thetaskforce.org **************************************************************

Task Force denounces Justice Sunday II backers for attacking the bedrock of American democracy: an independent judiciary

'Their view on the role of the courts is stunningly regressive. But no one should be surprised: these are the same people who compared the justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Court to Adolf Hitler after the decision ordering marriage equality.' -Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15 - Christian conservative leaders held their Justice Sunday II telecast last night where they denounced "judicial tyranny" and said they hoped to use the event as a "launching pad" to mobilize Christians against what they view as activist judges. The event, which featured a speech by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, comes just three weeks before the Senate begins considering the nomination of John Roberts to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

"Once again, the forces of political and religious extremism gathered under the guise of standing up for 'justice' to call for tearing down the increasingly porous wall between church and state. And once again, a right-wing leader of Congress, this time House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, was there to attack the bedrock of our democracy, an independent judiciary. Their view on the role of the courts is stunningly regressive. But no one should be surprised: these are the same people who compared the justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Court to Adolf Hitler after the decision ordering marriage equality; who said judges who allowed Michael Schiavo to carry out his wife's wishes participated in a 'grisly killing'; and who have criticized the integration of women in the military.

"They are on a mission to extend government control over the most private of decisions - everything from who people fall in love with to reproductive choices to the right to refuse artificial life-extending measures. That they are doing it in the name of religion is nothing new. But the fact that they are the people most enthusiastic about the nomination of John Roberts to the Supreme Court should send a chill down every thinking person's spine. It is clear the administration assured the sponsors of Justice Sunday II that Roberts can be counted on to support their dreadful vision for this country.

"Yesterday's event did serve one purpose - it reinforced the need for the Senate to insist that the administration release documents produced by Roberts during his years of high-level government service. We all need to know what vision of America he stands for."

***************************************************************

Become a Task Force member: http://www.thetaskforce.org/donate/index.cfm

Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Foundation (the Task Force) was the first national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and advocacy organization and remains the movement's leading voice for freedom, justice and equality. We work to build the grassroots political strength of our community by training state and local activists and leaders, working to strengthen the infrastructure of state and local allies, and organizing broad-based campaigns to build public support for complete equality for LGBT people. Our Policy Institute, the community's premier think tank, provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle for complete equality. As part of a broader social justice movement, we work to create a world that respects and makes visible the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los Angeles, Cambridge, Mass., and Miami. The Task Force is a 501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C. Contributions to the Task Force are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Copyright 2005 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Creating Change (TM) is a trademark of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. All other trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective owners. The Task Force Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID #52-1624852. --------------------------------------------------

Tell your friends about this message from the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force.

http://ga4.org/join-forward.html?domain=taskforce&r=1113lFs1xmtM

If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for National Gay and Lesbian Task Force at:

http://ga4.org/taskforce/join.html?r=1113lFs1xmtME

SO-CALLED JUSTICE SUNDAY SPEAKERS USE GAYS AS POLITICAL PUNCHING BAG
08/15/2005 (11:25 AM)

________________________________

NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign 1640 Rhode Island Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20036 http://www.hrc.org _________________________________

For Immediate Release || Monday, Aug. 15, 2005 Contact: Jay Smith Brown, (202) 216-1580

SO-CALLED JUSTICE SUNDAY SPEAKERS USE GAYS AS POLITICAL PUNCHING BAG

"Disguising prejudice as justice is un-American," said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign emphasized the independent role of the judiciary following yesterday's "Justice Sunday" event that featured speeches attacking fair-minded judges. Gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people were at the center of these extremist attacks on the courts, said HRC.

"Disguising prejudice as justice is un-American," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "The extremism on display last night dangerously ignored the Court's more than 200-year-old responsibility of independence. In rallying against this liberty, the speakers last night rallied against one of our democracy's greatest qualities."

Solmonese continued, "All fair-minded Americans should take note that those who want to use the Supreme Court to silence fairness seem to also be supporting the nomination of Judge John Roberts. The Senate must use the upcoming hearings to ask Judge Roberts the questions that need to be answered. We must ensure that our Supreme Court justices understand the role of the Court in ensuring equal protection for all in the face of loud political uproar."

Held Sunday, Aug. 14, in Nashville, Tenn., the event featured a dozen speakers from the far right, all but two of whom spoke out against equal rights for GLBT Americans. The following quotes highlight the event's anti-gay rhetoric:

* Former Sen. Zell Miller said that the court was "ready to discard like an outdated hula hoop the sacred institution of marriage." * James Dobson, president of Focus on the Family, said that Judge Roberts "looks good" but needs to be protected from fair-minded Senators including Sens. Kennedy, Biden and Durbin. Dobson also said the "very definition of marriage itself, the family itself is at stake." * Cathy Cleaver Ruse, senior fellow for the Family Research Council, claimed the courts invented the right of homosexuality * William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, also claimed that the courts are making up rights, including the right to privacy and "the idea that two guys can get married."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.

-30-