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(Boston, Massachusetts) Gov.
Mitt Romney displayed the enthusiasm of a preacher Sunday at a Baptist church as
he addressed an anti-gay marriage rally of conservative religious leaders who
argue that their rights to religious expression are being threatened.
The rally, which was broadcast to churches nationally, is part of a larger
effort to energize conservative voters before the Nov. 7 congressional
elections.
"Here in Massachusetts, activist judges struck a blow to the foundation of
civilization - the family," the Republican governor and likely presidential
candidate said to an applauding crowd of about 1,000 people, some of whom
responded "Amen."
Romney, pounding his fist during his speech inside Tremont Temple Baptist
Church, criticized the state's highest court for its 2004 ruling legalizing
same-sex marriage.
"What (the judges) ignored is that marriage is not primarily about adults,
marriage is about the nurturing and development of children ... every child
deserves a mother and a father," he said.
The Washington-based Family Research Council chose Boston for the site of its
annual "Liberty Sunday" because Massachusetts is the only state that
has legalized gay marriage.
"When we look at what has happened with same-sex marriage, as it began in
this state and threatens to spread across the country, we've seen in its wake
the loss of religious freedoms and the ability to speak out based upon one's
moral convictions," Tony Perkins, the organization's president, said
Sunday.
Eight states will vote in November on amendments banning gay marriage, following
20 states that previously approved bans.
Massachusetts lawmakers are expected to consider a proposed constitutional
amendment banning same-sex marriage on Nov. 9.
David Parker, a speaker at the Boston event, was arrested last year after he
refused to leave the grounds of his 6-year-old son's school in Lexington after
officials said they would not remove the boy from discussions about
homosexuality.
"When religious liberty is compromised, all liberty is compromised,"
Parker said at a news conference before the rally.
But the issue is less about liberty and more about political posturing,
according to the Rev. Barry Lynn, the executive director of Americans United for
Separation of Church and State.
Lynn said he's not worried that the Sunday night program will change the minds
of voters. In a way, he said, they're preaching to the choir.
"But it's the choir that has become the majority in these elections ...
(The Family Research Council) has escalated their rhetoric and are trying to use
this as a fire under their supporters," making sure they cast their ballots
in November.
Among the ballot initiatives in November to prohibit gay marriage, passage is
considered certain in Idaho, South Carolina, South Dakota and Tennessee, but
gay-rights strategists believe their side is at least competitive in Arizona,
Colorado, Virginia and Wisconsin, where Romney spent Sunday morning with GOP
gubernatorial nominee U.S. Rep. Mark Green.
In the Boston speech, Romney, who is a Mormon, cautioned against discrimination:
"I believe God loves all of his children."
A statement from Mass Equality, a group that advocates same-sex marriage,
denounced the governor's appearance at the rally, saying "Mitt Romney has
come home for one day to Massachusetts for one reason only - to continue
courting the extreme right wing of the Republican Party."
©365Gay.com 2006
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