E-mail this page to a friend

Printer-Friendly Version

Contact: Cindy Roberts (662) 844-5036 ext. 227
For Immediate Release:  1/5/2005

Judicial activism continues to threaten marriage and usurp will of the people

(Tupelo, MS) - Montana Supreme Court Justice Jim Rice recently accused his colleagues of radically revising the state’s marriage laws.

A 4-3 decision last week ordered all public universities in Montana to provide their homosexual employees with insurance coverage for their “domestic partners.”

Don Wildmon, chairman of the American Family Association, agrees with Rice and says this ruling reinforces the nation’s continuing problem with judicial activism.

“If the Montana Supreme Court can require the state to provide insurance coverage for the partners of homosexuals, it can require any other changes it sees fit,” Wildmon said. “Thus, the end result is that the ban on homosexual marriage overwhelmingly passed by the people of Montana is meaningless and void. The court has usurped the will of the people.”

According to the New York Times, Justice James Nelson, one of the four approving justices, used the case to criticize Montana’s recent approval of a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. He called it an example of politicians and the people using an opportunity to bash and condemn gays and lesbians.

“This judge has allowed his personal feelings on the same-sex marriage issue to influence his court decision and override the will of the people,” Wildmon said.

AFA has launched a letter-writing campaign to the White House allowing citizens to notify the president regarding their opinion on “strict constructionist” judges and “progressive” judges.

To view survey about federal judges visit afa.net.

American Family Association is a pro-family advocacy organization with over two million online supporters.

— 30 —