Tag Archives: ADF: Austin R. Nimocks

Charisma News: “Public officials should be able to recognize public prayer activities just as America’s founders did,” said Senior Counsel Austin R. Nimocks. “The mayor need not give in to the demands of activist groups that twist the true meaning of the First Amendment. He and the town of Hattiesburg are free to continue to participate in this long-revered American tradition.”

Politico: The continuing battle over gay marriage shouldn’t be equated with the civil rights movement, Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal organization, argued Sunday. “We understand historically that keeping the races apart is wrong. What marriage is about is bringing together the two opposite halves of humanity for a deep social good,” Nimocks said on CNN’s “State of the Union”.

Wall Street Journal Video: Proposition 8 co-counselor Austin Nimocks discusses what the gay marriage case in the high court hinges on, and what he thinks are the consequences of the ban getting struck down.

PBS (video and transcript): We return to today’s same-sex marriage debate with one of our own, featuring two attorneys who were at the court today, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, who supports overturning the gay marriage ban, and Austin Nimocks, counsel for the Alliance Defending Freedom, which supports Proposition 8.

Austin R. Nimocks on the Hugh Hewitt Show | MP3 audio 5:36 mins

MSNBC (includes video): The co-counsel for the legal team defending California’s Proposition 8 before the Supreme Court Tuesday, Austin Nimocks, called for the court to “let the American people deal with [the issue of gay marriage] through their democratic institutions.” [more]

Christian Post: Speaking to Candy Crowley on CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday, Austin Nimocks, vice president of the Alliance Defending Freedom and co-counsel for Proposition 8 supporters, believes the court shouldn’t “impose a redefinition of marriage upon all Americans,” and added that same-sex marriage is not a fundamental right. “Fundamental rights are those that are deeply rooted in our nation’s history and traditions,” Nimocks said. “Same-sex marriage is not deeply rooted in our nation’s history and traditions.”

KCENTV.com (includes video): “Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process,” said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group. “We don’t need the Supreme Court to take that right away from Americans of good faith on both sides of this issue and impose its judicial solution,” Nimocks said. “We need to leave this debate to the democratic process, which is working.”

WTKR.com: The Human Rights Campaign Facebook page asked people to wear red and to make their Facebook profiles red to show support for marriage equality . . . “Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process,” said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group.
“We don’t need the Supreme Court to take that right away from Americans of good faith on both sides of this issue and impose its judicial solution,” Nimocks said. “We need to leave this debate to the democratic process, which is working.”

MSNBC: “Justices aware of shift in national attitudes on same-sex marriage”
Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom talks about Tuesday’s arguments on Proposition 8 and describes the mood inside the court hearing.

CNN (includes video): “Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process,” said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group. “We don’t need the Supreme Court to take that right away from Americans of good faith on both sides of this issue and impose its judicial solution,” Nimocks said. “We need to leave this debate to the democratic process, which is working.”

WPTV (includes video): “Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process,” said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group.
“We don’t need the Supreme Court to take that right away from Americans of good faith on both sides of this issue and impose its judicial solution,” Nimocks said. “We need to leave this debate to the democratic process, which is working.”

Baptist Press: Afterward, a co-counsel for Prop 8′s supporters said they have been asking the same question as Scalia.”At what point in time did marriage, this cornerstone of civilization and the bedrock of our society, all of a sudden become unconstitutional? And we don’t believe obviously it ever has,” Austin Nimocks, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, told Baptist Press. “We believe Americans have the constitutional right to uphold, support and defend marriage as it has always been. And so we certainly are hopeful that the Supreme Court agrees with us.”

Tampa Bay Times (includes video): “Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process,” Austin Nimocks of the Christian group Alliance Defending Freedom said Sunday on CNN.

KTLA 5 (includes video): “Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process,” said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group. “We don’t need the Supreme Court to take that right away from Americans of good faith on both sides of this issue and impose its judicial solution,” Nimocks said. “We need to leave this debate to the democratic process, which is working.”

WPTV.com (includes video): “Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process,” said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group.
“We don’t need the Supreme Court to take that right away from Americans of good faith on both sides of this issue and impose its judicial solution,” Nimocks said. “We need to leave this debate to the democratic process, which is working.”

Fox 31 Denver (includes video): Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process, ” said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group. “We don’t need the Supreme Court to take that right away from Americans of good faith on both sides of this issue and impose its judicial solution,” Nimocks said. “We need to leave this debate to the democratic process, which is working.”

One News Now: Attorney Jim Campbell with Alliance Defending Freedom: “The importance of these cases and what’s at stake is whether the people throughout this country can continue to affirm marriage as we’ve always known it as a union of a man and a woman – or whether a court, through legal decisions, will redefine marriage for all of society.” [more ]

CBS video includes Austin R. Nimocks.

FACE the NATION (includes video): Austin Nimocks, part of the legal team defending California’s Proposition 8, said during a gay marriage panel earlier in the program that the debate is “too young” to be stifled by a nationwide decision. “That’s exactly what we don’t need when we see Americans of all walks of life, all different faiths and backgrounds, and creeds, engaging in the marriage debate,” Nimocks said. “President Obama said there are people of good will on both sides of the debate, and the last thing we need is to shut down the debate, have the Supreme Court redefine marriage for everybody, instead of letting us work through this question through our democratic institutions. That’s why we have them. “The Supreme Court is not a legislature,” Nimocks continued. “We have ballot boxes for a reason and we’re asking the Supreme Court not to interject itself in this question.”

Fox & Hounds Daily: (Editor’s Note: California’s Proposition 8 banning gay marriage has its day in court tomorrow when the United States Supreme Court takes up the case. CNN’s State of the Union with Candy Crowley, hosted a debate on the issue between California Attorney General Kamala Harris and vice president for Marriage Litigation at Alliance Defending Freedom, Austin Nimocks. A transcript of the debate follows.) Link to CNN video here.

CBS: “The big question going before the Supreme Court is whether or not the Supreme Court should impose a 50-state solution upon this entire country regarding the debate surrounding marriage,” Austin Nimocks with the Alliance Defending Freedom told CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “It’s about fundamentally altering society,” Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, told CBS’ “Face the
Nation.”

CNN via WYFF4.com : “Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process, ” said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group. “We don’t need the Supreme Court to take that right away from Americans of good faith on both sides of this issue and impose its judicial solution,” Nimocks told CNN’s State of the Union. “We need to leave this debate to the democratic process, which is working.” | KSAT.com carries a related CNN video report that includes Austin R. NImocks.

Politico: The continuing battle over gay marriage shouldn’t be equated with the civil rights movement, Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative Christian legal organization, argued Sunday. “We understand historically that keeping the races apart is wrong. What marriage is about is bringing together the two opposite halves of humanity for a deep social good,” Nimocks said on CNN’s “State of the Union”.

Geoffrey Fowler at WSJ via Yahoo News: “What we don’t need at this juncture of a very young and significant debate on marriage is the Supreme Court presenting the nation with a 50-state solution that redefines marriage and removes the question from the hands of the people,” said Austin R. Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, who is one of the lawyers defending California’s Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage.

CNN (includes video): “Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process, ” said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group. “We don’t need the Supreme Court to take that right away from Americans of good faith on both sides of this issue and impose its judicial solution,” Nimocks told CNN’s State of the Union. “We need to leave this debate to the democratic process, which is working.”

WGNTV.com Chicago: “Our most fundamental right in this country is the right to vote and the right to participate in the political process, ” said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a Christian advocacy group. “We don’t need the Supreme Court to take that right away from Americans of good faith on both sides of this issue and impose its judicial solution,” Nimocks told CNN’s State of the Union. “We need to leave this debate to the democratic process, which is working.”

NBC Nightly News reports on the litigation. Alliance Defending Freedom Attorney Austin R. Nimocks appears in the video.

Heritage Foundation (includes video): hose pressing the Supreme Court to overturn the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California’s Proposition 8 essentially argue that marriage as we’ve always known it is not constitutional. But redefining marriage would make marriage about the desires of adults rather than the well-being of children. That was the takeaway from a media briefing Tuesday at the National Press Club featuring Heritage’s Ryan T. Anderson, Claremont Institute legal scholar John C. Eastman, and Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Austin R. Nimocks (who is also co-counsel in the Prop 8 case).

Christian Post: CBS’ “Face the Nation” came the closest to providing a balanced view. The discussion had three people in favor of same-sex marriage, NFL football player Brendon Ayanbadejo, Freedom to Marry’s Evan Wolfson and conservative columnist David Frum, and two people opposed to same-sex marriage, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins and Alliance Defending Freedom’s Austin Nimocks. Host Bob Schieffer, though, did a better job than his colleagues at providing both sides about equal time. Also unlike the hosts on the other networks, Schieffer provided Nimocks and Perkins adequate time to present their arguments without interruption.

WFAA.com: CBS’ “Face the Nation” — Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich.; Evan Wolfson, president of Freedom to Marry; Tony Perkins, president of Family Research Council; Austin Nimocks, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Brendan Ayanbadejo, an advocate of same-sex marriage.

CNN: “DOMA’s important because Congress said it’s important,” said Austin Nimocks, senior counsel at the legal ministry Alliance Defending Freedom. “We sent our elected representatives to Washington, D.C., and they chose to say that marriage is one man and one woman for purposes of federal law.”

Christian Post: Austin Nimocks, an attorney for Alliance Defending Freedom who will serve as co-counsel defending Proposition 8 during oral arguments at the Supreme Court, agreed. “Those arguing for same-sex marriage in the Supreme Court are arguing that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right in the U.S. Constitution, which means that it is deeply rooted in our country’s history and traditions,” Nimocks said. “Our argument is very simple – that’s not true. “You can’t find in the history of our country and our Constitution a deeply rooted tradition and history of same-sex marriage. Marriage is what it has always been, since the beginning of time. The Supreme Court has acknowledged marriage 14 times in its prior jurisprudence. It has rejected a claim for same-sex marriage already, back in the 70s. And so, in no circumstances can our opponents make the constitutional case that same-sex marriage is a fundamental right in the U.S. Constitution.”

Scholars have filed more than 50 amicus briefs with the Supreme Court urging it to uphold California’s Proposition 8 and the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). While the media seems intent on ignoring these briefs and hyping the briefs on the other side, the sheer number and quality of the briefs in defense of laws recognizing marriage as the union of a man and a woman is impressive.

World Net Daily: President Obama, who simply said his administration would stop defending the federal Defense of Marriage Act because he doesn’t like it, has admitted in a court brief that the law that says for federal purposes only marriage between one man and one woman will be recognized is constitutional. That’s from the Alliance Defending Freedom, a premiere civil and religious rights legal team that analyzed the Obama team’s filings in a challenge now pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. [more]

Christian Post: “The Supreme Court has made clear that defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman is constitutional as a matter of public policy,” said Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel Austin R. Nimocks. “Thus, Congress and President Clinton acted constitutionally when DOMA was enacted. The wisest course is for the Supreme Court to resist demands to prematurely end the national debate over the future of marriage. The court should respect the freedom of both Congress and citizens to affirm a bedrock social institution that diverse cultures and faiths have honored throughout the history of Western Civilization.”

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief Friday with the U.S. Supreme Court inUnited States v. Windsor arguing, among other things, that the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, but only under “heightened constitutional scrutiny,” as described in this legal analysis.

Christian Post: After reports suggested the federal government is considering becoming party to the Prop. 8 case, Austin R. Nimocks, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, who is a co-counsel in the case, told The Christian Post in a phone interview that his group will hold off on commenting on such a brief until, or if, it is actually filed. However, he shared his hopes that the Supreme Court justices will not change the traditional definition of marriage. “The wisest course of action is for the Supreme Court to allow the debate over marriage to continue in this country and not judicially impose same-sex marriage on Americans,” Nimocks said.

Christian Post: Austin R. Nimocks, senior counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, who is a co-counsel in the case in favor of upholding Prop. 8, told The Christian Post in a phone interview on Thursday that ADF will hold off on commenting on such a brief until, or if, it is actually filed. However, he shared his hopes that the Supreme Court justices will not change the traditional definition of marriage. “The wisest course of action is for the Supreme Court to allow the debate over marriage to continue in this country and not judicially impose same-sex marriage on Americans,” Nimocks told CP.

Austin R. Nimocks at Washington Examiner (2/16): By making a constitutional claim for a new federal definition of marriage, Windsor is asking the Constitution that binds all of us to impose her view of marriage upon everyone. If the U.S. Constitution is interpreted to require same-sex marriage, it doesn’t require it in one place and not another. The U.S. Constitution will require it everywhere. So much for Section 2 of DOMA.

One News Now: Alliance Defending Freedom’s (ADF) Austin R. Nimocks, senior counsel, weighs in on why support for natural marriage is so widespread. Marriage between a man and a woman is a universal good that diverse faiths and cultures throughout the history of Western civilization have seen fit to honor,” he notes. Marriage is not merely about personal preferences, but a bigger relationship that has a societal impact. “As these briefs show, the right course of action for the Supreme Court is not to short-circuit the debate that America is having about marriage, but instead to let that debate continue so we as Americans may find our common ground.”

Citizen Link: Alliance Defending Freedom filed its brief Tuesday, arguing that the court should affirm the validity and rational basis of California’s marriage amendment. “Marriage between a man and a woman is a universal good that diverse cultures and faiths have honored throughout the history of Western Civilization,” said ADF Senior Counsel Austin R. Nimocks.

Wisconsin Gazette: “The lifelong, faithful union of a man and a woman is the foundation of every healthy, stable society. The people of Wisconsin recognize this, and that is why they approved a constitutional amendment that specifically protects marriage from all imitators,” said ADF attorney Austin R. Nimocks. “We are appealing the appellate court’s decision because this domestic partnership scheme is precisely the type of marriage imitation that the voters intended to prevent.”

Green Bay Press Gazette: Austin R. Nimocks, an attorney with the Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal ministry representing Wisconsin Family Action members, said in an email he would appeal Friday’s decision to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. “The people of Wisconsin recognize that marriage provides a strong foundation for a thriving society,” Nimrocks wrote. “That’s why they approved a constitutional amendment that specifically protects marriage from all imitators. Politicians and activist groups should not be allowed to get around that.”

One News Now: “No American should be forced to give up a constitutionally protected freedom, much less sacrifice their job in order to maintain that freedom,” Nimocks contends. “Religious freedom is important to every American, and that includes those who issue marriage licenses. It’s important that we as a society embrace the idea that they can do their job without having to violate their conscience.”

Salon: “No American should be forced to give up a constitutionally protected freedom, nor should any American be forced to give up his or her job to maintain that freedom,” said ADF Senior Counsel Austin R. Nimocks. “Religious freedom is paramount to every American, including those issuing marriage licenses. They can perform their job without violating their conscience.”

Austin R. Nimocks on the Zeb Bell Show to discuss the recent Hawaii marriage ruling. | MP3 audio 10:56 mins

MPR: Supporters of the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota are crying foul over Secretary of State Mark Ritchie’s proposal to rename the measure on the ballot.

Austin R. Nimocks at Townhall: From the moment the push to redefine marriage began, the most militant of the would-be redefiners deployed a “scorched earth policy” toward marriage to achieve their goals. In other words, they proved willing not just to alter, but also to destroy marriage and the family in order to establish conditions where they could reconstruct marriage – and all of society – according to their own designs.

Austin R. Nimocks at Townhall: For the last two decades, proponents of same-sex “marriage” have tirelessly worked to convince average, everyday citizens that same-sex relationships and same-sex “parenting” are no different than traditional relationships and parenting, and in some cases, have even advocated that they are better. In other words, they sell the idea that excluding half of humanity (moms or dads) from the lives of children means nothing and, in some instances, is good for them.

Austin R. Nimocks on a “Closer Look” with Sheila Liaugminas: | MP3 audio 22:46 mins

NPR (includes audio): When people debate gay marriage, some argue that it could lead to legalized polygamy. Host Michel Martin asks how, and if it would even matter. She speaks with Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defense Fund and Jonathan Rauch of the Brookings Institution.

Austin R. Nimocks at Townhall: You think you’ve seen and heard every argument regarding same-sex “marriage,” and then the Baltimore Sun writes an editorial that divorce has now somehow strengthened the case for same-sex “marriage.”

Austin R. Nimocks at American Thinker: Question for Mr. Biden: can you look a child in the eye and tell him (or her) that you’re “absolutely comfortable” with depriving him of a mother or a father because you decided that he doesn’t need one?

Engage Family Blog of the WVFPC: On this week’s edition of Engaging the Issues, Austin Nimocks, Senior Legal Counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, discusses whether nondiscrimination laws can peacefully coexist with religious freedom. (Audio link)

Speak Up Movement Church (includes video): A lot of national attention has been drawn to the Proposition 5 vote on Tuesday, particularly due to the recent TV ads. This has raised many questions concerning freedom of speech and religious freedom among pastors and churches in Anchorage, that we at the Alliance Defense Fund would like to address.

Austin A. Nimocks at Townhall: But an appropriate legal analysis of the proposed law, which would add “sexual orientation” and “transgender identity” to Anchorage’s list of protected legal classes, demonstrates the problems it genuinely poses to religious liberty, despite the erroneous claims of some to the contrary.

ADF Attorney Austin R. Nimocks at 650 KENI with Rick Rydell. | MP3 audio 9:13 mins | ProtectAnchorage.com

Watch live streaming video from abtlive at livestream.com

King 5 News Report

The Olympian: Superior Court Judge Tom McPhee’s final phrasing removed a misleading description used by the Attorney General’s Office – the phrase “redefining marriage.’’ . . . A lawyer for the Preserve Marriage Washington campaign, Austin Nimocks, argued that it was more accurate to use the phrase.

ADF Attorney Austin R. Nimocks at Townhall: Throughout the push for the judicial overthrow of California’s marriage amendment, arguments were made about how it was time to quit peeking into people’s bedrooms, or allegedly singling out those who practice homosexual behavior. Sexuality was a private matter, some argued, and that shouldn’t affect public decisions, or so the argument went. However, that was then, and this is now. The Administration Office of the Courts in California is now making sure gays and lesbians are adequately represented on the judicial bench . . .

Austin R. Nimocks at Townhall : Although supporters of the measure have indicated it will not infringe on the religious freedom of those who do not condone such “marriages,” multiple amendments to protect the conscience/religious freedom rights of all Washingtonians were considered and rejected. As a result, many of the claims regarding the pending Washington legislation simply cannot be squared with reality.

ADF Attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on several shows to discuss the ruling. | KKSF Newstalk 910 AM San Francisco with Rosie Allen – MP3 audio 9:13 |  Talk 107.3 FM Baton Rouge with Matt Kennedy  - MP3 audio 5:03 mins | WMUZ 103.5 FM, The Light the Bob Dutko Show - MP3 audio 8:53 mins.

God Discussion (includes video): Austin R. Nimocks, a lawyer who argues against same-sex marriage for the Alliance Defense Fund, noted that while some polls showed increasing support for gay marriage, voters had never approved it at the polls.”

Inside Bay Area: Austin Nimocks, a senior lawyer for the Alliance Defense Fund, one of the groups defending the law, would not reveal the strategic considerations, but promised: “We will do something. I can guarantee that.”

The Bend Bulletin: Austin Nimocks, a lawyer who argues against same-sex marriage for the Alliance Defense Fund, noted that while some polls showed increasing support for gay marriage, voters had never approved it at the polls. In 31 statewide votes, voters have consistently defined marriage as between a man and a woman, he said. “I don’t see a shift in momentum,” Nimocks said. “You can use all the polls you want. You can say anything you want to about civil unions or domestic partnerships, but when it comes to marriage, the record is clear.”

Bob Unruh at WorldNetDaily: “The American people deserve a court system that upholds the integrity of the judicial process,” said Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, which has worked on the case. [more]

ADF Attorney Attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on AFR Focal Point with Bryan Fischer to discuss the marriage battles in Washington state and New Hampshire. | MP3 audio 12:25 minutes

Austin R. Nimocks of the Alliance Defense Fund, Christopher Plante of the National Organization for Marriage, and Jennifer Roback Morse of the Ruth Institute testify before a Washington State Senate Panel on the purpose of marriage. (January 23, 2012)

Austin R. Nimocks of the Alliance Defense Fund, Christopher Plante of the National Organization for Marriage, and Jennifer Roback Morse of the Ruth Institute testify before the Washington House Judiciary on the purpose of marriage. (January 23, 2012)

HeraldNet.com: The issue will likely head to the voters, said Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defense Fund, a legal arm of Focus on the Family group that has fought gay marriage legislation across the country. “Americans are married to the institution of marriage. Red states, blue states, north, south, east and west,” Nimocks said. “They understand the definition of marriage. They don’t need to have the Legislature tell them what it is.”

WSLS 10: We have a right under federal and state law to make decisions consistent with our religious beliefs,” said Krystal Thompson, CEO of Commonwealth Catholic Charities, which placed 375 children in foster homes and handled 85 adoptions last year. “Virginians should not have to ask permission to perform faith-based acts of charity,” said Austin Nimocks, a lawyer with the national Alliance Defense Fund.

One News Now: Alliance Defense Fund senior legal counsel Austin R. Nimocks says the Ninth Circuit’s decision could have long-lasting effects on the American judicial process. “The American people deserve a court system that upholds the integrity of the judicial process,” says Nimocks. “The orders we are requesting are necessary for that reason. Violating standards, rules, and court orders threatens to undermine the public’s confidence in the federal court system.”