Arizona Supreme Court rules in favor of protecting marriage.

August 31, 2006- Phoenix – “I and the rest of Arizonans who believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman are thankful that the Arizona Supreme Court ruled on behalf of marriage and families,” said Cathi Herrod, spokesperson for the Protect Marriage Arizona Coalition.

“Over 307,000 Arizona citizens signed a petition to place the Protect Marriage Arizona initiative on the ballot. Now, thanks to the Arizona Supreme Court, voters will have the opportunity to vote to protect marriage.”

The Protect Marriage Arizona Coalition is composed of individuals and organizations working to protect the status of marriage in Arizona.

Leo Godzich Writes Editorial Urging "Yes" Vote on Proposition 107

September 25, 2006 - When Protect Marriage Arizona, a coalition of diverse groups, announced its intent to place a marriage amendment on the ballot more than a year ago, the rallying cry was: "Let the people decide!"

This call to the best aspect of representative government encouraged Arizonans to determine the statewide definition of marriage.

A "yes" vote for Prop. 107, the Protect Marriage Arizona amendment, will define marriage in Arizona as the union of one man and one woman.

Special interest groups, polygamists, judicial activists and others want to radically redefine marriage.

But Arizona - like the 20 states that have protected marriage - ought to protect the longstanding definition as one man and one woman.

Some say marriage is a right. It is not. It is a privilege that carries responsibilities.

Society confers legal benefits to marriage, because marriage benefits society. Healthy marriages have been the foundation of any successful society, Arizona included.

This amendment to Arizona's Constitution will affirm marriage's traditional definition, ensuring it for future generations by prohibiting its redefinition.

Contrary to the dishonesty offered by liberal special interests, Prop. 107 does not prevent the government from providing equal benefits for all public employees.

But benefit systems in Tucson, Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale now are based on one's sexual relations.

If cities were really concerned about equal benefits, they would offer "dependent benefits" extending health care to any designated person, regardless of their relation, such as an elderly mother or disabled brother.

Further, this amendment does not affect private employers or restrict private legal agreements. It clearly applies to the government, not the private sector.

Legally, it is not even possible for the amendment to restrict private employers' benefits decisions.

Arizona promotes marriage because the institution of marriage benefits Arizona.

Research indicates many benefits for children who are raised by a mother and father.

They are more likely to succeed academically, are physically and emotionally healthier, demonstrate fewer behavioral problems, are less likely to be victims of abuse and experience more than 10 other profound benefits.

The case for children's well-being in a mother-and-father married household remains true even after researchers control their studies for important family characteristics, including parents' education, income and socio- economic status.

The bottom line is: Children do better when they are raised by their own two married parents. There's no disputing that mountain of evidence. And that's reason enough to protect the definition of marriage.

This does not in any way denigrate the role of single parents, many of whom are unsung heroes, overcoming challenges to create warm, loving homes for their children.

Yet few of these heroes and heroines would deny the difficulties of parenting outside of marriage; they would agree with evidence pointing to an ideal of a child having a mother and father in the home.

Single parents also value the definition of marriage. No parent, single or married, dreams of the day their daughter will become a single mother, or their son turning into an absent father.

This, too, is why society values marriage as one man, one woman.

Women, likewise, have benefits from healthy marriages with men.

They are less likely to be victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or other violent crimes, are emotionally healthier and eight other pronounced benefits.

Men, also, benefit from marriage to women.

They live longer, are physically and emotionally healthier and wealthier, less likely to attempt or commit suicide and enjoy seven other important benefits.

Marriage is not a special interest. Whether an individual marries or not, a healthy marriage culture benefits every Arizonan: rich or poor, churched or unchurched, parent or childless.

Marriage is not a liberal or conservative idea, not a bargaining chip for political ideologies, but a universal human institution that societies utilize to promote the most successful outcomes for children.

Marriage between one man and one woman protects the interests of children and society in a stable social order.

Arizonans, like 20 states before them, should do what is in the best interest of children and society: Vote "Yes" on Proposition 107 to protect marriage and our future.

August 11, 2006- Phoenix – Today Judge Douglas Rayes ruled that Proposition 107, the Protect Marriage Arizona Amendment, does not violate the “Separate Amendment Clause” of Article XXI of the Arizona Constitution. The opinion says “the two clauses of the proposed amendment have but one purpose, the protection of marriage by preventing redefinition and extension of official status to marriage substitutes.”

Click here to read the full report.

July 6, 2006- Today, the Protect Marriage Arizona campaign filed 307,576 signatures to qualify for the 2006 ballot.
The Protect Marriage Arizona campaign is comprised of a coalition of pro-marriage organizations across Arizona.
The members of the coalition are United Families International, Concerned Women for America, The National Association of Marriage Enhancement, The Center for Arizona Policy, and all three Catholic Dioceses in Arizona.
According to Nathan Sproul, campaign consultant for the Protect Marriage Arizona campaign, “This campaign is a true example of energized and organized grassroots enthusiasm. Almost 200,000 of the signatures collected came from volunteers I don’t know of any campaign in Arizona’s history that has generated that many volunteer signatures for a statewide initiative.”
“My only regret is that Lynn Stanley, the Chair of Protect Marriage Arizona, could not be with us for this outpouring of support for marriage. She, more than anyone else in Arizona, is responsible for this momentous occasion. Her passing leaves large shoes to fill, but I know that Lynn would want nothing less than for voters of Arizona to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman.”

March 2006 - Northern Arizona University poll shows registered voter’s support of the Protect Marriage Arizona Amendment
Polling shows that people are strong in their opinions of whether marriage in Arizona should be defined as being between one man and one woman. Fifty-two percent of respondents said they support the initiative while 40 percent said they are opposed.
Click here to read the full report.

March 2006 - Bishops Endorse Protect Marriage Arizona
Bishops Gerald Kicanas of Tucson, Thomas Olmsted of Phoenix and Donald Pelotte of Gallup, N.M. released a joint pastoral statement last week endorsing the Protect Marriage Arizona Amendment. More >

August 25, 2005 - Senator John McCain Endorses the Protect Marriage Arizona Amendment - U.S. Sen. John McCain met with supporters of the Protect Marriage Arizona Amendment earlier today, Thursday August 25th, 2005 and gave both his endorsement of the initiative as well as signing the circulating petition to place this amendment on the ballot in November 2006.... More >

May 17, 2005 — Protect Marriage Arizona hosts events in Arizona to begin the petition drive for the amendment to preserve marriage as between one man and one woman.

For more information about Protect Marriage Arizona and the latest news, email us at info@protectmarriageaz.com