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NEWS RELEASE ARCHIVES 2006 -- Part I
NEWS RELEASE Another Municipality Ready to Buy Into the Lie
as Carlisle Considers Adding ‘Sexual Orientation’ to Ordinance (Harrisburg)
In a faxed statement to Carlisle Borough Mayor Kirk Wilson
the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA)
expressed concern that the borough was considering
adding ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ to
their anti-discrimination ordinance.
Additionally, the AFA of PA expressed concern that they were
contemplating joining the National League of Cities’ Partnership
for Working Toward Inclusive Communities. “The National League of Cities’ president
Jim Hunt is tying economic development to passage of such diversity
ordinances . . . . that is absurd.
Basically, he is saying that economic development is tied to
the 3% homosexual population in the nation.
What about those who hold traditional values and would
hesitate to move their family to a city which gives special rights
to individuals because of the sexual activity in which they
engage?” questioned Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA. The National League of Cities showed its true colors when it had the president of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) president, Neil G. Giuliano, speak at the March 2006 Diversity Breakfast presided over by Hunt. “This ordinance would force landlords, even those with deeply held religious beliefs, to rent to homosexuals. It would discriminate against the Boy Scouts and religious organizations like the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities. And let’s not forget Allentown’s ordinance which forced a Carbon County prison to permit a male guard who thought he was a woman to come to work in a dress,” Gramley noted. The first step in becoming a member of the National League of Cities’ Partnership is to pass a resolution. Further investigation into the requirements reveal a very divisive agenda that will be at least partially funded by hard-earned taxpayer dollars. These include displaying a welcome sign that ‘reflects all the major languages spoken in the community’ and starting a ‘language bank’ of volunteer interpreters of all languages. “America
became a melting pot of immigrants from around the world because
they learned English and became part of the American culture. This effort by Carlisle and other communities creates a
divisive atmosphere not one of a melting pot especially now when the
U.S. Senate is working to make English the official language in
America,” remarked Gramley. The
fax to Carlisle Borough noted the following: 1.) In the February 4, 2004 issue of the Scranton
Times News PA Human Relations Chair Steve Glassman agreed with
Gramley’s interpretation
on how such ordinances could affect groups like the Boy Scouts.
This greatly concerns all those who believe the Scouts, as a
private organization, have a right to choose who their leaders and
members are. 2.) A quote in the November 15, 2005 Daily
Local
in Chester County confirms also that the addition of “sexual
orientation” and “gender identity” will force landlords to
rent to homosexuals. 3.) In Illinois
and California the Salvation Army has lost contracts with
cities because they do not have ‘sexual orientation’ and
‘gender identity’ language in their policies. 4.) More recently in Massachusetts Catholic Charities has been forced out of the adoption business because they will not place children into the homes of homosexual couples.
# # #
NEWS RELEASE Kentucky Students Exercise First Amendment
Rights and Pray -- Why
Not Here in Pennsylvania? (Harrisburg, PA ) – On Friday, May 19, 200
students in Russell Springs, Kentucky defied a judge’s court order
banning their high school from including prayer as part of the
graduation ceremony. The
American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide
traditional values group asks, ‘Why not here in Pennsylvania?” “Last Friday 200 graduating seniors in
Kentucky spontaneously stood and recited the Lord’s Prayer all to
thunderous applause from the audience.
These students recognized the importance of prayer during
this day which marked the end of one phase of their life and the
beginning of another. There are students here in Pennsylvania who also recognize
the importance of God in their lives,” noted Diane Gramley,
president of the AFA of PA. The
United States Supreme Court has not taken the position that all
graduation They
also recognized that
“[a] relentless and all-pervasive attempt to exclude Here
in the Third Circuit, graduation prayer is ruled by the ACLU v. Black Horse Pike Regional Board of Education decision
which struck down a ‘prayer only’ policy in which the school
gave the graduating class a choice to pray or not to pray during
their graduation ceremony. The
school could in no way give the appearance that prayer was supported
or endorsed by them thus they could not allow the students the
option to pray or not. “The
ACLU goes into overdrive each year about this time trying to make
sure no graduating class is permitted to pray.
Each year school officials and students are caught in a
quandary. This
year will be no different . . .
but the students in Kentucky stepped up to the plate and hit
a home run. Will there
be any students here in Pennsylvania who’ll be willing to do the
same?” wondered Gramley. “Our
Founding Fathers never intended for the First Amendment to be used
to prohibit prayer at graduation or anytime during the school
day.” # # #
NEWS RELEASE Marriage Amendment Should Be A Campaign Issue, Pro-Family Group Says (Harrisburg) -- The campaign advice given by President Bush’s wife Laura on Fox News Sunday was not sound advice, a statewide pro-family group said today. The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a supporter of both the Federal Marriage Protection Amendment and the Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment, noted that the need for a Constitutional amendment defining marriage as only between one man and one woman was one of the reasons the value voters turned out to vote for President Bush in 2004. http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/05/14/D8HJOVV82.html “It is tragic that Mrs. Bush doesn’t see
the importance of making the marriage amendment a campaign issue. Americans want marriage between one man and one woman
protected through a constitutional amendment.
Marriage is the foundation of any society and the voters
recognize the need to protect its foundation,” stated Diane
Gramley, president of the AFA of PA. Homosexuals have a right to live their lives as
they want, but they do no have a right to force our society to
redefine marriage and family.
Same-sex marriage is not a civil rights issue.
Even the Rev. Jesse Jackson is on record as stating that
same-sex marriage has nothing to do with civil rights.
Those involved in the homosexual lifestyle have never been
forced to sit at the back of the bus nor are there water fountains
labeled ‘Gay Only.’ The
thousands of ex-gays in this country show that people are not born
‘gay.’ “Protecting traditional marriage from
activist judges is not discriminatory.
Our elected officials on both the federal and state level
need to pass the amendments that are before them and give the people
a chance to vote on how they want to define marriage,” continued
Gramley. The value voters spoke in 2004 and, in many
cases, are still waiting for confirmation that their concerns are
being addressed by the people they placed in office.
Marriage was an important issue in 2004 and will continue
being an important issue until one man, one woman marriage is fully
protected from activist judges and others who want to redefine it to
include same-sex marriage or any other configuration. “The federal Marriage Protection Amendment is not discriminatory. Our proposed Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment is not discriminatory. People want to protect traditional marriage and any individual running for public office would be well-advised to make marriage amendments a campaign issue,” Gramley concluded. # # #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Diane
Gramley 1.814.437.5355
or 1.814.271.9078
Premier of Equality Forum-Produced “Saint of 911”
Perpetuates Lies About Father Mychal Judge
(
“Last fall in an interview I had with
According
to Attorney Dennis Lynch, after the death of Father Mike
and Fay’s creation of a media hoopla about the so-called
‘gay priest’ the story took on a life of its own.
All truth was thrown out the window even though people
who had known him for decades knew he was not homosexual, the
media refused to print their stories about Father Mike.
The media became part of the lie.
According to
“On
# # #
NEWS
RELEASE Last
Week Cedar Crest High School Warned Students of Danger, This Week
They Give Nod of Approval to More Dangerous Lifestyle (Harrisburg) – One week after the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN) claims 4,000 schools participated in the Day of Silence, Cedar Crest High School is participating today. Last week the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) expressed concern that 46 schools in Pennsylvania participated in the Day of Silence – this according to the Day of Silence website. “Last
Wednesday Cedar Crest had the right idea – in preparation for prom
they created a mock crash to demonstrate the danger of drinking and
driving, but this week they are giving their students a very
dangerous message. That
message is that ‘gay is okay,’” Diane Gramley, president of
the AFA of PA said today. The
purpose of the Day of Silence is to reveal the supposed silence that
students who identify as homosexual are subjected to each day. But the real purpose is another attempt to normalize a
very deadly lifestyle – which includes increased substance abuse,
eating disorders, shortening the lives of male participants by up to
20 years, increased HIV/AIDS and other STDs.
The AFA of PA does not advocate violence against any student
– including those who identify as homosexual.
All students should be safe during the school day, but to
give special attention to one very small segment of the population
is wrong. Additionally,
groups that encourage students to experiment with same-sex
relationships are guiltier of doing violence against them than their
fellow classmates “Increasingly
it is becoming evident that the purpose of the Day
of Silence is not just to send a silent message, but to change
the structure of schools. For
a supposed ‘student-led’ day, GLSEN is increasingly trying to
create homosexual activists in the public schools of the nation
through their Day of Silence,” commented Gramley. This
year GLSEN
asked participants to q deliver
signed postcards to their school library asking them to ensure that
books and materials dealing with lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender (LGBT) people and students with LGBT parents and
families. q Deliver
signed postcards to their principal asking that the school provide
diversity training on LGBT issues Gramley did have one encouraging note, “According to
GLSEN’s website there were 46 schools that participated in
Pennsylvania last Wednesday. That
total was after we eliminated the duplicates.
GLSEN is saying that over 90 schools participated in 2004 and
more than 100 participated in 2005.
So over a 50% cut in participants is always good news for the
well-being of students. Additionally,
we know of schools that were on the list of participants that
apparently never participated beyond having their name on a list.” #
# #
NEWS RELEASE Judge Who
Condemns Disabled to Starvation/Dehydration Death Does Not Know What
‘Bioethics’ Means, a Traditional Value Group Says (Philadelphia) -- Judge George Greer’s appearance at the University of
Pennsylvania’s (U Penn) bioethics conference "The Legacy of
the Terri Schiavo Case: Why is it so hard to die in America?"
is a disgrace to the medical profession, a statewide traditional
values group said today. The
American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) has
contacted U Penn President Amy Gutmann to express outrage that the
University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Bioethics has invited
Judge Greer to act as the Lead Speaker during Monday’s symposium.
Just as outrageous is Sunday’s Lead Speaker, Michael
Schiavo, who refused to allow his disabled wife’s family to care
for her but sought to have her legally murdered by Judge Greer’s
court decision. “It
is a disgrace that the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for
Bioethics would invite such speakers to address their Center for
Bioethics Symposium – unfortunately it is all too easy to die in
the United States when those who want to rid the world of the
disabled and those who cannot speak for themselves are in charge,”
noted Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA in the
correspondence with President Gutmann. According to U Penn’s website,
the Center for Bioethics is
a world leader in bioethics – “in
bioethics research and its deployment in the ethical, efficient, and
compassionate practice of the life sciences and medicine.”
“The
fact that the U Penn Center for Bioethics has invited Judge George
Greer and Michael Schiavo to speak is proof that they do not know
what the terms ethical and compassionate mean,” Gramley continued.
Terri Schiavo’s death by government-ordered dehydration is a warning signal to America that those who are not deemed worthy of care and medical attention by some can be killed with the blessing of a judge. This is one of the best examples of a judicial branch that has gone awry; of a government that no longer cares for the well-being of its most vulnerable citizens. Euthanasia is a natural outgrowth of legalized abortion and the culture of death. If life is no longer viewed as sacred, there is no need to protect those who cannot protect themselves. “Bioethics
apparently means nothing to the U Penn Center for Bioethics – they
do not know the meaning of the word.
Perhaps one should check where their physician graduated from
before submitting to treatment by someone who views the decisions
and actions by Judge George Greer and Michael Schiavo as ethical.
You may not live to get a second opinion,” concluded
Gramley. #
# #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Diane
Gramley 1.814.437.5355
or 1.814.271.9078
GLSEN
-- Riley Snorton 646-388-6580
Day of Silence Activities is Additional Proof that Risk Audit
Survey is Necessary in Pennsylvania, Says Traditional Values Group
(
“The AFA of PA will be letting parents and taxpayers in these
school districts know what their tax dollars paid for yesterday.
We will also encourage them to become part of the Risk
Audit Project. How
many parents knew that their child’s school was participating in
a day where students, and in some cases teachers, remained silent
to show support for the homosexual lifestyle?
Parents need to know what is going on in their child’s
school,” stated Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
This day is just another effort by GLSEN to perpetuate the lie
that students who identify as homosexual are discriminated against
more than other students.
The AFA of PA does not advocate violence against any
student – including those who identify as homosexual.
All students should be safe during the school day, but to
give special attention to one very small segment of the population
is wrong. Additionally,
groups that encourage students to experiment with same-sex
relationships are guiltier of doing violence against them than
their fellow classmates.
“The AFA of PA is encouraging parents and others concerned with
homosexual activism in their taxpayer-funded schools to use the Risk
Audit Survey to further expose the homosexual agenda.
This tool will help expose the agenda of those who want to
change society’s views on homosexuality and how they are using
the children in our nation’s schools to further their own
agenda,” Gramley remarked.
Individuals involved in the homosexual lifestyle have more
instances of substance abuse, eating disorders, HIV/AIDS and other
STDs, and are more likely to be victims of domestic violence at
the hands of their same-sex partner.
Males involved in the lifestyle may shorten their lives by
up to 20 years.
“Adults who tell kids that ‘gay is okay’ are actually the
ones doing violence to them because they are not being truthful
about the inherent dangers of involvement in same-sex
relationships,” Gramley concluded.
# # #
NEWS
RELEASE ACLU
Promoting Religion in the Upper St. Clair Decision on International
Baccalaureate (Pittsburgh)
– Monday’s 7-2 decision by the Upper St. Clair School Board to
reinstate the International Baccalaureate Program (IB) through the
2007-2008 school year will be detrimental to the students and
financially draining to the school district. The American Family
Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide organization
which monitors education trends, made that observation today. The
ACLU representing parents sued the school district last month in
order to force the reinstatement of the IB Program.
According to the Pittsburgh
Post Gazette, “At the heart of the lawsuit were comments made
by Dr. Iracki, head of the board's curriculum committee, that the
program went against "Judeo-Christian" values.” “Apparently
the ACLU is concerned about the ‘Judeo-Christian’ comments by
this board member because of the so-called separation of church and
state. The ACLU is
ignoring the fact that the IBO website acknowledges that the Diploma
Program and Middle Years Program grew from a western humanist
tradition. Additionally,
the U.S. Supreme Court recognized Humanism as a religion in 1961 in
Torasco v. Watkins. So,
is the ACLU promoting the religion of humanism,” questioned Diane
Gramley, president of the AFA of PA. “The
board’s reversal of their February decision to end the IB program
is a mistake which will be paid for by the students and taxpayers
alike. Even though the
concept of such a program may seem like a good idea, one does not
have to look very far to find a myriad of problems with the IB
program,” further noted Gramley. Over
600 students participate in the program which costs the school
district between $85,000 and $200,000.
Governor Rendell has promised to funnel $85,000 additional
tax dollars into the school district to fund the IB Program.
Thus forcing all Pennsylvania taxpayers to help subsidize a
program which undermines America and what she represents. Some
facts that have not been included in the news coverage include: q
The IB
program was started in the mid-60’s by diplomats who wanted their
children to have a common undergraduate program.
In 1996 the United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization or UNESCO formed a “partnership” with IBO
to form what it called a universal “curriculum framework for peace
education.” A
January 2004 Washington Times
article reported that IB is now a pilot program of UNESCO developed
for the purpose of creating what UNESCO calls an “international
education system.” The purpose of IB, said UNESCO, is to “… be
a school of values, attitudes, [and] above all of practical action
… q
The IB
program is not based on academics.
According to the January 18, 2004 Washington
Times, because of the non-academic nature of IB, many colleges
and universities will not accept IB courses as fulfilling
undergraduate requirements for admission. q The IB website states that the IB curriculum is based on six themes. These six themes are as follows
q
According to
“A Continuum of International Education” found on the IB
Organization website, “In developing an awareness of the diverse
values of different cultures, it is, however, fundamental that
students in each IBO programme are exposed to those human values
which are recognized as universal; these are embodied in the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted and proclaimed by the
General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948.” **
The UN Declaration of Human Rights ends with the words:
“These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to
the purposes and principles of the United Nations.” That
is, the UN Declaration of Human Rights takes the same form as the
constitutions of all Communist countries which say that governmental
policies have higher standing than individual human rights. The U.S.
Declaration of Independence, in contrast, states that human rights
have a higher priority than government decisions. q
Ian Hill,
the Director General of the IB Organization is on the Advisory
Committee of the Earth Charter.
According to its website, “The Earth
Charter Advisory Committee was formed to advise and guide the
Earth Charter Initiative regarding the development and
implementation of the Earth Charter education program. According to the December 20, 2004 Orange
County Register, a concerned parent sent an e-mail to the
Deputy Director General asking about the potential use of the Earth
Charter. Here’s the
response she received, “We did an analysis of existing topics ...
with the content of the Earth Charter and found that we already
covered much of it if schools took up our suggestions for content:
human rights, ecology, rights of the child - in fact sustainable
development in both human and environmental dimensions." The
Earth Charter ignores the idea of property rights,
promotes the United Nations as the instrument of world peace,
denounces the ‘dominant patterns of production and consumption,’
and promotes universal health care and the ‘equitable distribution
of wealth.’ *
The Earth Charter is a broadly defined religious and
political document that promotes the following positions: 1.
Earth worship (pantheism) “The
entire purpose of the IB Program is to promote the United Nations,
the UN Declaration of Human Rights and The Earth Charter, in so
doing the rights of Americans are undermined.
The U.S. Constitution and our own PA Constitution recognizes
that individuals have certain inherent or inalienable rights, but the UN
Declaration of Human Rights states that rights and privileges cannot
be contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations. Do we really want our children taught that our rights come
from the United Nations?” commented Gramley. #
# #
April 24, 2006 -- Pro-Family Groups Unveil Homosexuality School Risk Audit Diane Gramley, president of AFA of PA, said, "This Risk Audit will be an excellent tool for parents to use to discover if their school is promoting the homosexual lifestyle and to what extent it is being promoted. Those who promote this deadly lifestyle in our nation's public schools have advanced their agenda unimpeded for too many years and too many children are paying the price. I encourage all parents with children in public and private schools to use this Risk Audit to discover just what their children are being exposed to behind the schoolhouse door."
NEWS RELEASE Traditional Values Group Asks Governor Rendell to Rein in PA Human Relations Commission (Harrisburg) – Today the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a traditional values group, called upon Governor Rendell to rein in the far-reaching efforts of the PA Human Relations Commission (PA HRC) to overstep its stated goals and purpose. Specifically, recent activities by Chairman Stephen Glassman reveal a startling agenda to redefine Pennsylvania using his position with the PA HRC. “Mr. Glassman is using his chairmanship of the Pennsylvania HRC as a bully pulpit to further his agenda to normalize homosexuality. Among other things, his efforts are encouraging municipalities to go beyond what the law deems necessary – to extend special rights to individuals simply because of the sexual activity in which they engage. We are asking Governor Rendell, who give Glassman the chairmanship of the PA HRC, to intervene on the part of taxpaying Pennsylvanians, the majority of whom do not view homosexuality as normal,” Diane Gramley president of the AFA of PA said today. Stephen Glassman's recent involvement has included: --February 28th meeting at Lebanon Valley College with 10 homosexual groups working to derail the Marriage Protection Amendment -- March 14th and 16th -- with the assistance of Stephen Glassman, two Delaware County boroughs add 'sexual orientation' and 'gender identity' to their Human Relations ordinances. The communication to Governor Rendell said in part, “Taxpayer dollars are being used to pay the salary of Mr. Glassman in his efforts to change the political landscape of Pennsylvania and his work to rewrite the mission statement of the PA HRC. Governor, we are asking that you set the PA HRC back on the path of its stated purpose and not permit it to overstep its bounds.” The HRC's website states, "When the Commission was established in 1955, Section 2, Findings and Declaration of Policy, was included in the PFEOA and has remained as the focal point of PHRC's mandate: The practice or policy of discrimination against individuals or groups by reason of their race, color, familial status, religious creed, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, disability, use of guide or support animals because of the blindness, deafness or physical handicap of the user or because the use is a handler or trainer of support or guide animals, is a matter of concern of the Commonwealth. Neither "sexual orientation" nor "gender identity' appear in the PA Human Relations Act, yet Mr. Glassman is working as though those terms do appear. The PA HRC’s main purpose currently seems to be to further Chairman Glassman's political agenda. “Municipalities are being encouraged to add ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ to their HRC ordinances without realizing the full ramifications of such a move. How many municipalities know that such an ordinance would require churches and other religious organizations to hire homosexuals even though it was against their religious belief. Are municipalities prepared to allow a man who thinks he is a woman to come to work in a dress and use the women’s restroom? That is exactly what they have approved by adding ‘gender identity’ to their HRC ordinances,” commented Gramley. Where is the proof that discrimination against homosexuals in employment, housing and public accommodations is taking place? Or is the ‘victim card’ being pulled? If the PA Human Relations Commission is permitted to overstep its own stated mission and PA state law to further the agenda of one individual, where does it stop? What agency will be next?
# # #
NEWS RELEASE Pro-family Group Applauds House State Government Committee Vote on Marriage (Harrisburg) — Today a statewide pro-family group applauded the vote in the House State Government Committee to move H.B. 2381 – the Marriage Protection Amendment – out of committee and to the floor for a vote before the full House. The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) recognizes the weaknesses of the existing Defense of Marriage Act and encourage the passage of the Marriage Protection Amendment to take the issue out of the hands of judges. “Today’s Committee vote to allow Pennsylvanians to define marriage is a great step forward in protecting marriage and families. Apparently those who are afraid of a constitutional amendment to protect marriage don’t want the issue before the people because they know Pennsylvanians, when given an opportunity, will vote to define marriage as between one man and one woman,” remarked Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA. PA’s proposed Marriage Protection Amendment would not
take away anyone’s rights. Currently homosexuals can marry –
just not each other. The same as a brother cannot marry a sister or
a father a daughter. Gays and lesbians have a right to live as they
choose, but don’t have a right to redefine marriage and family for
our entire society. Nineteen other states where the voters have been given the opportunity to define marriage have overwhelmingly upheld marriage as between one man and one woman. “There is no more important issue that legislators can deal with than preserving traditional marriage – the building block of society. Pennsylvanians want their marriages and families protected and do not want them redefined. Homosexuals have a right to live their lives as they please, but they do not have a right to redefine marriage and family. Pennsylvanians want an opportunity to vote on marriage and today’s vote brings us one step closer to that reality,” declared Gramley. # # #
NEWS
RELEASE (Harrisburg) – The February 28th presence of Stephen Glassman, chairman of the PA Human Relations Commission, at a meeting with ten homosexual groups at Lebanon Valley College is a slap in the face to the majority of Pennsylvanians, a statewide pro-family group said today. In an e-mail message to Governor Rendell the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) stated, “Mr. Glassman does not speak for the majority of Pennsylvanians which know that the best thing for society and for children is marriage between one man and one woman. I would hope that he will not use his position as Chairman of the Human Relations Commission to work against the amendment process. Pennsylvanians want the opportunity to protect traditional marriage through a constitutional amendment and not leave it up to a judge to redefine marriage. Pennsylvanians also do not want to pay the salary of someone who will use his position to work against what is best for the children and families of Pennsylvania -- protecting marriage as between one man and one woman.” “It is very concerning that a high-ranking state employee is working against protecting one man, one woman marriage. If anyone doubted that Mr. Glassman had an agenda, there is now no doubt in anyone’s mind,” said Diane Gramley, President of the AFA of PA. According to the PHRC’s website: “The mission of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission is to administer and enforce the PHRAct (PA Human Relations Act) and the PFEOA (PA Fair Educational Opportunities Act) of the Commonwealth of the (sic) Pennsylvania for the identification and elimination of discrimination and the providing of equal opportunity for all persons. “Past efforts to add ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity’ to the PA Human Relations Act and the PA Fair Educational Opportunities Act have been squelched. Legislators know the adverse affects passage of such changes would have. In other places where such changes have been made, the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities have been forced to hire homosexuals. Perhaps Mr. Glassman needs to reread the Acts the PA Human Relations Commission is to administer and enforce,” continued Gramley. The Marriage Protection Amendment will not take away the rights of anyone, as is claimed by some. Homosexuals already have the right to marriage – just not each other. Restrictions to marriage already exist such as a brother cannot marry a sister or a father cannot marry a daughter. Historically marriage has always been between the opposite sexes. “Stephen Glassman’s work against the Marriage Protection Amendment does not fall under the mission of the PA Human Relations Commission. Working to protect the foundation of society is not discriminatory, but a move to preserve society. As we’ve seen in case after case a Defense of Marriage Act is not enough. A Maryland judge declared theirs unconstitutional just days before H.B. 2381 was introduced in Harrisburg.. Glassman is not working for Pennsylvanians when he works against the Marriage Protection Amendment,” Gramley concluded. # # #
NEWS RELEASE William Penn Would Not Approve of Sex Workers
Art Show and “Gay” Symposium at Swarthmore College, Pro-Family
Group Says (Philadelphia) –
On March 1st Swarthmore College will host the Sex
Workers’ Art show. This
will be the first of two in Pennsylvania; the second being at
Bucknell University on March 8th.
The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA)
has contacted President Alfred Bloom of Swarthmore and President
Brian Mitchell of Bucknell and expressed concern that their
institutions of higher education would view this as appropriate fare
for their students. “The sex
workers art show includes a ‘wide range of perspectives on sex
work’ including a celebration of prostitution.
The last time I checked prostitution was illegal in every
state in the union except Nevada – and the last time I checked
this was not Nevada,” commented Diane Gramley, president of the
AFA of PA. Questions asked of both presidents included:
Will the ‘art show’ also include information about
epidemic substance abuse among sex workers or the physical, sexual
and verbal abuse that they must endure?
Will the participants be told of HPV (Human Papilloma Virus),
the most common STD among sexually active young people and
recognized as the major cause of cervical cancer? Furthermore, Swarthmore University’s ‘art
show’ is a ‘pre-symposium event.’
Precluding the Sager
Symposium 2006 scheduled for March 23-26. This symposium will include such workshops as “Anal
Pleasure 101,” as well as discussions on “Queering Love and
Unqueering Sex,” and “Queer Sex Now!” The AFA of PA specifically asked President
Bloom: Will the dangers
of homosexual sex be discussed?
Will the participants be told of the increased substance
abuse, eating and psychological disorders and same-sex domestic
violence that occur in homosexual relationships?
Will they be told that college age men who have sex with men
have a high probability of shortening their lives by up to 20 years?
Additionally, will
they be told that three out of four AIDS cases are men who have sex
with men? According to Swarthmore’s
website, it was founded in 1864 by the
Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
“William Penn recognized the danger of ‘the unnatural sin of sodomy’ and set forth the sodomy laws in Pennsylvania which included whipping, forfeiture of property and six months hard labor for the first offense. These punishments adopted by Pennsylvania were the most lenient of the Thirteen Colonies. Yet it set forth a clear message that participation in this activity was not what was best for society. If William Penn could see the direction Swarthmore is taking, he would be rolling over in his grave,” concluded Gramley.
# # #
NEWS RELEASE Bob Casey, Jr., Turns His Back on Pennsylvania Values Voters, Traditional Values Group Says (Harrisburg) -- Bob Casey, Jr., Pennsylvania candidate for U.S. Senate, carried out his plans to speak at the pro-homosexual Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Black Tie Gala on February 18 in Philadelphia. His speaking engagement proves that he does not hold the values of the majority of Pennsylvanians and thus has turned his back on the values voter, stated the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide traditional values group. “Bob Casey, Jr. is running as a pro-family candidate, but his actions in the past few days have proven just the opposite. The AFA of PA and citizens from across the Commonwealth contacted him expressing concern and dismay that he planned on speaking at the HRC event. His actions have stated very clearly that he is not concerned with traditional values and thus has intentionally distanced himself from the majority of Pennsylvania voters,” remarked Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA. Last fall the AFA of PA expressed concern when Casey was endorsed by the AFL-CIO, which has proven to be very anti-family. On March 3, 2005 the Executive Committee unanimously passed a resolution condemning all efforts to protect one man one woman marriage through means of constitutional amendments. In an interview with the Philadelphia Gay News, Bob Casey has expressed the same sentiment. According to the article, he approves of civil unions and domestic partnerships, but not same-sex marriage. But he also opposes all constitutional efforts to protect one man one woman marriage. So one must question how opposed to same-sex marriage he really is. William Devlin, Democratic committee member of Philadelphia, attended part of the HRC gala and confronted Bob Casey, Jr. before his speech. Bob Casey’s response was that he was in the right place, doing the right thing. After hearing Casey's speech, Devlin expressed concern that a purported ‘pro-life’ Democrat was sending such an anti-family message and seeking the backing of those who want to redefine the family. The AFA of PA noted that there is no indication on his campaign website of where Bob Casey, Jr. stands on abortion or other pro-life issues. In addition to the AFA of PA and William Devlin
being concerned with the involvement of Bob Casey, Jr. with the HRC,
Fidelis, a ‘Catholic-based advocacy organization established to
help elect pro-life, pro-family and pro-religious liberty candidates
to public office, support the confirmation of judges, and promote
and defend laws faithful to the Constitution in Congress and the
Courts’ reports, “In a
letter sent to Casey this morning (February 17) , Fidelis
President Joseph Cella stated: “We respectfully call on you to
return the campaign contributions from these groups and individuals
that are openly hostile to the teachings of the Catholic Church, and
reject any future contributions that are made to your
campaign. We also ask that you respectfully decline speaking
invitations from such organizations, publicly distance yourself from
their endorsements and oppose the radical policy goals of these
organizations and individuals.” “The AFA of PA is
very concerned that Bob Casey, Jr. is seeking and obtaining support
from some of the very organizations that blocked his Dad from
speaking at the Democratic National Convention in 1992 because he
was pro-life. It seems
apparent that Bob Casey, Jr. does not hold the values that his Dad
did,” Gramley continued. The AFA of PA is also concerned that Bob Casey, Jr. has fallen into the trap of equating ‘gay rights’ with civil rights. As a reminder, there are no ‘Gay Only” water fountains and homosexuals are not required to sit in the back of the bus. In fact according to the analysis reported in February 2005 by Witeck-Combs Communications, ‘a marketing firm specializing in the gay and lesbian consumer and Packaged Facts’ showed that the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual (LGBT) buying power would reach $610 billion in 2005. According to a January 3, 2006 article fourteen percent of homosexuals plan on traveling overseas for the holidays. “The survey, by Harris Interactive in conjunction with Witeck-Combs Communications shows fourteen percent of gay and lesbian adults are planning to holiday overseas. For heterosexuals only about seven percent are planning on going abroad.” “The facts repeatedly show that homosexuals are not economically depressed nor do they lack political power. They are not subjected to the adverse discrimination that they claim and extending special rights to a group simply because of the sexual activity in which they engage is wrong. Politicians who are truly pro-family should see the dangerous ramifications of validating the homosexual lifestyle," concluded Gramley.
# # #
NEWS
RELEASE (Harrisburg)
– State Treasurer Bob Casey, Jr. is scheduled to be the keynote
speaker at the Human
Rights Campaign (HRC) Philadelphia Region Steering Committee’s
annual gala on February 18th. In
addition to being the current State Treasurer, Mr. Casey is in the
middle of a campaign to unseat U.S. Senator Rick Santorum.
The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA),
a statewide pro-family group, has contacted the Treasurer’s office
expressing concern over his association with the HRC. According to
their website, “The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest
civil rights organization working to achieve gay, lesbian, bisexual
and transgender equality.” Their
efforts also include legalizing same-sex marriage. “On
January 24 a Marriage Protection Amendment was introduced in the
State House and on February 6 the same language was introduced in
the State Senate. Bob
Casey, Jr. told the Philadelphia
Gay News last week that he supported civil unions and domestic
partner benefits, but opposed same-sex marriage.
He also stated that he opposes efforts on both the federal
and state level to define marriage as between one man and one woman.
So . . . will some of the money raised at the HRC Gala on
February 18th be used to fight the Marriage Protection
Amendment effort here in Pennsylvania?”
Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA questioned.
Casey
is listed as an HRC Featured
Power SLATE Candidate and it is “Paid
for by the Human Rights Campaign PAC. Authorized by Bob Casey for
Pennsylvania.” Bob
Casey, Jr. is not only the keynote speaker at the $175 a plate gala,
but is actively seeking the support of homosexual activists.
The
majority of Pennsylvanians believe that marriage is between one man
and one woman and oppose special rights for homosexuals simply
because of their sexual activity.
As the AFA of PA pointed
out last fall when Bob Casey, Jr. was endorsed by the AFL-CIO
that pro-life issues are not the only ones that are important to
Pennsylvanians. But
Casey’s recent actions to support same-sex marriage highlight why
the AFL-CIO endorsed him because last March their Executive
Committee unanimously passed
a resolution condemning all efforts to protect one man one woman
marriage by way of constitutional amendments.
“Bob
Casey, Jr. has shown he does not speak for the majority of
Pennsylvanians, his involvement with the Human Rights Campaign
proves he is ill-informed about what is important to Pennsylvania
and the people who he expects to vote for him,” remarked Gramley. # # #
NEWS RELEASE TWO OUT OF FOUR GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES PUBLICLY SUPPORT MARRIAGE PROTECTION AMENDMENT – NOW ITS DOWN TO ONE (Harrisburg) – A review by the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) earlier in the week revealed that only two of the candidates for governor of Pennsylvania have publicly stated support for the recently introduced Marriage Protection Amendment. With the withdrawal of Bill Scranton from the race that leaves the number at one. “Whether the candidates running for governor want to acknowledge it or not, marriage between one man and one woman is an important issue to Pennsylvanians. How these candidates support or don’t support the Marriage Protection Amendment may well determine how people will vote in the primaries,” Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA said today. Governor Rendell has publicly stated that he does not see the necessity of a Marriage Protection Amendment. In July the Governor’s spokesman, Chuck Ardo, indicated that Governor Rendell believes the courts should decide the definition of marriage. Candidate Bill Scranton issued a statement which “reiterated strong support for an amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution to protect traditional marriage.” Likewise, on January 24 gubernatorial candidate Jim Panyard issued a statement which “endorsed the proposal to be unveiled at the State Capitol today for a state constitutional amendment to assure marriage in Pennsylvania will remain between one man and one woman.” As of today candidate Lynn Swann does not
include any mention of marriage on his “Values”
webpage. He
states, “I
believe I have those core conservative values; spend less, tax less,
protect the most innocent among us, govern in a compassionate way,
and provide opportunity for all Pennsylvanians."
“Marriage Protection is an important issue to Pennsylvanians and we call on the gubernatorial candidates who have not indicated where they stand on marriage to do so. In that way the voters will get a clearer picture of what the candidates view as important,’ stated Gramley. H.B. 2381 was introduced on January 24 with almost 90 co-sponsors. On February 6 S.B. 1084 was introduced in the Senate. Nineteen other states have already passed amendments defining marriage as between one man and one woman. These amendments are necessary because of the challenges to states’ Defense of Marriage Acts (DOMAs). On January 20 a Baltimore judge declared Maryland’s DOMA unconstitutional. A challenge to New York’s DOMA is before that state’s highest court right now. The question is can we trust the judges in Pennsylvania to make the right decision on marriage – answer ‘no.’
# # #
NEWS RELEASE NBC JUST DOESN’T GET IT, ‘CRUCI-FIXINS’ IS A MOCKERY, PRO-FAMILY GROUP SAYS (Harrisburg) NBC seemed not to have learned any lessons from its recent cancellation of the “Book of Daniel,” the portrayal of a so-called typical ‘Christian’ family which was involved in drug and alcohol addictions and promiscuity. The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide pro-family group, has contacted all the NBC stations in Pennsylvania urging them not to air the April 13 episode of ‘Will and Grace.’ “There is no doubt that this is a mockery of our Lord’s crucifixion. The timing itself is offensive – the night before Good Friday, the day observed by Christians around the world as the day Jesus was crucified,” commented Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA. According to an AP
story Britney Spears will be the program’s guest star, “The
pop star will appear as a Christian conservative sidekick to Sean
Hayes' character, Jack, who hosts his own talk show, on the April 13
episode, the network said. Jack's fictional network, Out TV, is
bought by a Christian TV network, leading to Spears contributing a
cooking segment called "Cruci-fixin's. “NBC received 678,394 e-mails in reaction to the offensive story in the ‘Book of Daniel.’ In addition they were down to two paid sponsors – Kia and Hyundai – during their last program. Apparently they still don’t get it and view offending Christians as a sport,” Gramley continued. NBC affiliates are not obligated to air programs sent to them from NBC. Stations around the nation – not just the Bible Belt – agreed that the Book of Daniel was offensive and refused to air the program. “Our hope is that the NBC stations in Pennsylvania will understand the very offensive nature of the April 13 episode of Will and Grace and refuse to air it,” said Gramley.
# # #
NEWS
RELEASE Senate
Did the Right Thing in Voting to Confirm Judge Alito, Pro-family
Group Says; Urges President Bush to Name Another Strict
Constitutionalist to Replace Him on the Third Circuit (Harrisburg) --
Today’s Senate vote of 58 to 42 confirming Judge Samuel
Alito as the 110th Justice of the United States Supreme
Court ends one of the most contentious confirmation hearings in
recent history. The
American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide
pro-family group, noted that Democrats'
repeated attempts to block and degrade Judge Alito has failed, but
expressed concern. “Americans
should be concerned about losing our most qualified candidates if we
don't reform the process.
How many conservative nominees, as these seem to be the only
ones who are the targets, want to subject themselves and their
families to the personal attacks and character assassination that
Judge Alito had to withstand during his 18 hours of testimony?
Still fresh in our memory is the picture of Mrs. Alito
leaving the hearing room in tears,” remarked Diane Gramley,
president of the AFA of PA. ACLU
attorneys such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg were rubber stamped by the
Republican Party. Why?
Because she was President Bill Clinton’s choice for Supreme
Court Justice. It is
the President’s job to name judicial nominees and the Senate’s
constitutional role to offer advice and consent, not tear the
nominee apart limb by limb. Fifteen years ago Judge Alito was unanimously confirmed to
the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
What has he done wrong in those years to warrant such
attacks? “The confirmation of Judge Samuel Alito is a step in the right direction
to reign in a Supreme Court that has increasingly swayed from the
original intent of the Constitution.
Justice Alito has testified that he will hear each case in a
fair and unbiased way and we believe he will keep his word.
His record and those who know him better than any member of
the Senate Judiciary Committee have confirmed that he is a fair man,”
Gramley commented. There should be no political standard for nominees. Judges are not
politicians. It is
evident that the Democrat members of the Senate Judiciary Committee
has a litmus test for any judicial nominee – uphold Roe v. Wade.
Justice Alito is committed to the Rule of Law and Judicial
Restraint. “We need another Samuel Alito on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and
urge President Bush to quickly name a strict constitutionalist to
replace Justice Alito,” Gramley concluded. # # #
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January
24, 2006
CONTACT: Diane Gramley
1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355
THE EFFORT TO PROTECT MARRIAGE IN PENNSYLVANIA BEGINS
(Harrisburg) -- The
American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA), a statewide
pro-family group, said today that the time is right to begin work
towards marriage protection in Pennsylvania.
It is time for Pennsylvania to join 19 other states in
passing a Marriage Protection Amendment to the Constitution.
The AFA of PA commends Representatives Scott Boyd (R-Lancaster),
Katie True (R-Lancaster), Tom Yewcic (D-Cambria), Daryl Metcalfe
(R-Butler) and Teresa Forcier (R-Crawford) for being the lead
sponsors of H.B.2381 "A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment
to the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, providing
for marriage."
“The average Pennsylvanian, as the average American, understands
the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
They also are increasingly understanding the need to protect
that definition through a constitutional amendment.
On Friday a judge in Maryland declared its Defense of
Marriage Act unconstitutional. Today is the day for Pennsylvanians
to act and we commend the sponsors of the Marriage Protect Amendment
for beginning the process here in Pennsylvania,” commented Diane
Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
In November 2003 an activist Supreme Judicial Court in Massachusetts
overstep its authority and demanded the Legislative body redefine
marriage to include same-sex couples.
The attacks continue as across the nation states’ Defense
of Marriage Acts are being challenged.
Nine homosexual couples challenged Maryland’s Defense of
Marriage Act and it was declared it unconstitutional.
What will happen if Pennsylvania’s Defense of Marriage Act
is challenged, as almost happened in 2004 when a homosexual couple
in Bucks County considered such a challenge?
Gramley continued, “We cannot wait for a Pennsylvania judge to be
given the opportunity to redefine marriage.
One man, one woman marriage has been historically recognized
as the foundation of society. Children
need a mother and a father not two mommies or two daddies.
Deliberately creating motherless or fatherless families is
not remotely in the interests of children or the community and
benefits only a particular political agenda. The almost 200
Pennsylvanians who made the trip to support the amendment during
today's 10:00 a.m. news conference recognize the need for them to be
given the opportunity to vote on this very important issue. “
The Pennsylvania Marriage Protection Amendment is to protect
Pennsylvania’s families and children.
Homosexual marriage is not a civil rights issue as
increasingly leaders in the black community, including the Rev.
Jessie Jackson, are speaking publicly concerning what they view as
the hijacking of the civil rights movement by homosexual activists.
Homosexuals do not face discrimination such as
African-Americans did -- they do not have to sit at the ‘back of
the bus’ and there are no ‘homosexual only’ water fountains.
# # #
NEWS RELEASE Democrats Still Don’t Get It On ( “The Democrat members of the Senate Judiciary Committee showed their true colors in the line of questioning during the hearings. They concentrated on abortion, treating Judge Alito’s stand on the issue as a litmus test. Abortion if not the only issue the Supreme Court deals with,” stated Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA. Numerous editorials in liberal newspapers
including The
It appears that Senate Democrats are being strong armed by far left wing special interest groups to obstruct or stop Judge Alito’s nomination at all costs or risk losing donations for the 2006 elections. Perhaps they should be concentrating on what is best for the country, not what is best for their campaign coffers. Many recent reports and columns talked about the embarrassing way Senate Democrats on the Judiciary Committee conducted themselves. “Judge Alito displayed amazing temperament and knowledge of the law before the Senate Judiciary Committee. He answered over 700 questions in three days of testimony. He has the support of Democrats who clerked for him and know his records better than Democrat members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Hopefully the Democrats in the Senate will see beyond the partisanship and agree with the majority of Americans that Judge Samuel Alito is qualified to become Justice Samuel Alito,” concluded Gramley. # # #
NEWS
RELEASE Traditional
Values Group Commends Senator Arlen Specter for Fairness During Alito
Hearings (Harrisburg)
-- Senator Arlen Specter’s even-handedness and fairness during
Judge Samuel Alito’s confirmation hearings last week were a welcome
relief, a traditional values group said today.
The American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) had
actively opposed Senator Arlen Specter’s approval as Chairman of the
Senate Judiciary Committee in November 2004, and his performance last
week came as a pleasant surprise. In a faxed statement to the Senator, the AFA of PA commended
him for his fairness to Judge Samuel Alito and for his acknowledgement
that he will vote for the judge’s confirmation.
“Judge
Alito had to withstand 18 hours of questioning in which some Democrats
on the Judiciary Committee leveled personal attacks. Time and again,
they accused Judge Alito of being a racist, a bigot, and a crook.
Senator Specter worked to give the hearings a semblance of
dignity, sometimes against overwhelming odds,” commented Diane
Gramley, president of the AFA of PA.
Part
of the deal with the Democrat members of the Senate Judiciary Committee to delay the hearings until January was to have the final vote
on January 20th. Now
it seems the Democrats may be backing away from the agreement and asking
for a delay on the vote until January 23rd.
Senator Specter has said that he still plans on holding the
Judiciary Committee vote on Tuesday, January 17th, as
previously planned. If
the ‘gentlemen’s agreement’ between Senator Arlen Specter and
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is not kept, it will further reflect on the
Democrats desperation in trying to derail the confirmation of a ‘well-qualified’
judge as the American Bar Association rated Judge Alito. A
random poll taken Jan. 10-12 by Public Opinion Strategies showed 70
percent of women and 71 percent of men said Judge Alito should not be
disqualified from Supreme Court service, even if it turns out he is
pro-life on abortion. Thirty-four percent of those surveyed claimed to
be pro-choice on abortion. And even among these Americans, a 53 percent
majority said Alito's position on abortion should not disqualify him. “Threats
of further stalling or filibusters will not set well with the majority
of Americans. Poll after
poll show that Americans want restrictions on abortion, want displays of
the Ten Commandments in public places and don’t see a problem with
including ‘under God’ in the Pledge of Allegiance and those are the
very things that the groups opposing Judge Alito don't want.
To stall any longer or continue the distortions and attacks on
Judge Alito is further evidence that the Democrat party is totally out
of touch with the average American,” Gramley continued. The
week-long hearings revealed a judge who will not legislate from the
bench and will take the Constitution for what it says.
He will not read in between the lines to see something that is
not there. Judge Alito
answered 94% of the questions asked of him, compared to Chief Justice
John Roberts 89% and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s 79%.
It cannot be said that he was not forthcoming in his answers, as
some Senators have accused. # # # You decide whether Judge Alito did a good job at answering the questions during the Senate Confirmation Hearings. Click on the links below for the daily transcripts. Was he forthcoming with the information or was he overly evasive? Closing day of hearings -- Judge Alito did not testify.
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