Tag Archives: ADF: Austin R. Nimocks

Christian Post: “‘What’s at stake in this case is not only the definition of marriage in California but the potential that Americans will be forced to forfeit the core of our democracy by allowing a small group of wealthy activists to impose their will on a state – or an entire nation – through the courts,’ Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for Alliance Defense Fund, told The Christian Post.”

OneNewsNow: “‘The advocates of redefining marriage are trying to do it yet once again through the courts, to impose [same-sex marriage] upon people who don’t want it . . .,’ says the attorney. ‘And really the fundamental issue here is whether or not in America we respect and should uphold the right of a free people to make social policy choices through the democratic process.’”

CBN News: “On Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the broadcast of the California trial over the state’s gay marriage ban . . . ‘In a democracy the majority always rules,”‘ said Austin R. Nimocks of The Alliance Defense Fund. ‘I mean that’s the principle of democracy. If that doesn’t exist you really don’t have a democracy.’” Article includes video.

Washington Post: “‘We don’t see it as a civil rights issue,’ said Austin R. Nimocks, an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, which represents the sponsors of Proposition 8. ‘Marriage is about bringing the two different elements of society — men and women — together in one unit of form that produces and raises the next generation.’” Also published in the Brisbane Times and Sydney Morning Herald.

Christian Post: “‘What’s at stake in this case is not only the definition of marriage in California but the potential that Americans will be forced to forfeit the core of our democracy by allowing a small group of wealthy activists to impose their will on a state – or an entire nation – through the courts,’ Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for Alliance Defense Fund, told The Christian Post.”

Austin R. Nimocks appaeared on the Michael Medved Show to discuss the trial that will be held next week in Perry v. Schwarzenegger involving a challenge to California’s marriage law.

The MP3 runs just over 8 minutes.

Charisma: “A coalition of faith leaders want to put a referendum on the November ballot to allow District of Columbia residents to vote on the definition of marriage . . . ‘We are confident the court will clear the obstacles to the citizens initiative powers that have been imposed by the city council-and that we can begin gathering signatures on our initiative right away,’ said Austin Nimocks, an attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, which is representing Stand4Marriage DC.”

ADF attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on the Hugh Hewitt Show to discuss the California marriage litigation. The trial is scheduled to begin on Monday next week.

The MP3 runs 10:42 mins.

ADF: Media Information Information Page

Christian Post: “‘The people of D.C. have a right to vote on the definition of marriage,’ commented Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel at Alliance Defense Fund, which has filed a lawsuit on behalf of eight D.C. citizens. ‘The D.C. Charter guarantees the people the right to vote, and the council cannot amend the charter for any reason, much less to deny citizens the right to vote,’ he added in a statement.”

On Top Magazine: “The Christian-based Alliance Defense Fund (ADF) has joined Stand for Marriage DC in challenging a District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics ruling that blocked opponents from pursing a ballot initiative . . . ‘The people of DC have a right to vote on the definition of marriage,’ ADF Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks said in a statement. ‘The DC Charter guarantees the people the right to vote, and the council cannot amend the charter for any reason, much less to deny citizens the right to vote.’”

Christian Post: “As part of the effort, conservative group Stand for Marriage D.C. has launched an ad campaign through the city’s transportation system – a move that is being opposed by Full Equality Now DC, which has demanded the ads be removed on the grounds that they disrespect LGBT residents . . . The people of D.C. have a right to vote on the definition of marriage,” commented Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel at Alliance Defense Fund, which has filed a lawsuit on behalf of eight D.C. citizens. ‘The D.C. Charter guarantees the people the right to vote, and the council cannot amend the charter for any reason, much less to deny citizens the right to vote,’ he added in a statement.”

www.stand4marriagedc.com

Reuters: “The legalization of same-sex marriage faces a critical test in New Jersey this week that advocates on each side of the controversial issue argue will shape the fate of gay-marriage battles across the nation . . . In the District of Columbia, a city council vote on same-sex marriage is set for next week, with a win likely . . . ‘Ultimately we would support the right of New Jersey citizens to vote on the measure themselves,’ said Austin Nimocks, an attorney with the Alliance Defense Fund that opposes same-sex marriage.”

Baptist Press: “‘What it shows is that it’s not inevitable,’ Nimmocks told Baptist Press. ‘We’ve seen citizens in 31 out of 31 states vote to uphold marriage as one man and one woman. We’ve seen the New York legislature vote to uphold marriage as one man and one woman, and we’ve seen it from the West Coast to the East Coast, from the North to the South. It’s very encouraging to know that there’s so much that unifies us in this country all across this nation, and marriage is one of those big things.’”

ADF attorney Austin R. Nimocks writes at Townhall: “A fundamental assumption of the ongoing debate on the definition of marriage is that it is. After all, in our ongoing public dialogue over marriage, nearly everyone assumes its benevolent nature. With advocates fighting over control of the hallowed ground of marriage, in order to change or preserve its scope and definition, one would think that the ultimate prize is a good thing. But, in a recent article, Professors Laurie Essig and Lynne Owens of Middlebury College pose the question of whether marriage is bad for society . . . ”

CitizenLink: “Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for ADF, said marriage isn’t all that is at issue. ‘This threat to Don, his family, and his career makes clear that those in favor of redefining marriage want to penalize and silence those who don’t agree with them,’ he said. ‘Free speech, freedom of conscience and religious liberty are also in danger.’”

OneNewsNow: “‘Here in New York we have executives trying to make law to try to subvert the definition of marriage in New York,’ Nimocks explains. ‘[Marriage] is [between] one man and one woman. The legislature has not changed that, and unfortunately, the New York high court has allowed state executives to try to redefine that and extend benefits to same-sex couples.’”

LifeSiteNews: “‘The people of D.C. have a right to vote on the definition of marriage,’ said Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks of the Alliance Defense Fund, a group that helps defend religious liberty through legal action, whose attorneys are representing Jackson along with attorneys from Stand4MarriageDC.”

WorldNetDaily: “‘The people of D.C. have a right to vote on the definition of marriage,’ said Austin Nimocks, a senior legal counsel
for the Alliance Defense Fund. ‘The D.C. Charter guarantees the people the right to vote, and the council cannot amend the charter for any reason, much less to deny citizens the right to vote.’”

Baptist Press: “‘The people of D.C. have a right to vote on the definition of marriage,’ ADF senior legal counsel Austin R. Nimocks said in a statement. ‘The D.C. Charter guarantees the people the right to vote, and the council cannot amend the charter for any reason, much less to deny citizens the right to vote. ADF will defend the right of the residents of our nation’s capitol to participate in a legitimate democratic process in the district.’”

City Desk, Washington City Paper: “As expected, pushers of a marriage initiative have filed suit in Superior Court seeking to overturn the elections board’s rejection of the measure . . . ‘The people of D.C. have a right to vote on the definition of marriage,’ said Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, the conservative legal group representing Jackson.”

Washington Post: “‘The people of D.C. have a right to vote on the definition of marriage,’ said Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, the conservative legal group representing Jackson. ‘The D.C. Charter guarantees the people the right to vote, and the council cannot amend the charter for any reason, much less to deny citizens the right to vote.’”

“The people of D.C. have a right to vote on the definition of marriage,” said ADF Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks.

Nashua Telegraph: “Cornerstone Policy Research is holding a summit on conservative issues at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics. National speakers include . . . Austin Nimmocks of the Alliance Defense Fund.”

Cornerstone Policy Research

ADF attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on Right Here, Right Now on Portsmouth Community Radio with host ADF allied attorney John Anthony Simmons to discuss “sex changes” and other gender issues.

The MP3 runs just over 32 minutes.

ADF Attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on NewsTalk WLOB with Ray Richardson and Ted Talbot to discuss the case of a Maine Social Worker whose livelihood has been threatened for defending marriage. Related ADF Media Information page here.

The MP3 runs just under 7 minutes.

OneNewsNow: “‘In Maine . . . we have this wonderful educator who has received prestigious awards and been nominated for Maine educator of the year,’ Nimocks explains, ‘and yet because he believes that marriage is one man and one woman, he is now being threatened to have his license taken away…simply for holding that foundational and fundamental belief.’”

Catholic News Agency: “ADF Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks criticized the complaint, saying: ‘No one should have their livelihood placed in jeopardy because they believe marriage is the union of a man and a woman. This threat to Don, his family, and his career makes clear that those in favor of redefining marriage also want to penalize and silence those who don’t agree with them. So, the definition of marriage is not the only thing at issue here. Free speech, freedom of conscience, and religious liberty are also in danger.’”

Morning Sentinel: “A licensing complaint against Nokomis High School guidance counselor Don Mendell about his appearance in a TV commercial opposing gay marriage has sparked a political fight as voters go to the polls . . . Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the [Alliance Defense Fund], said a response to the complaint would not be filed this week.”

The MP4 news clip runs just over 2 minutes. Austin discusses this case: Maine counselor’s career threatened for support of marriage.

“The ADF’s Austin R. Nimocks says the controversy over Mendell should serve as a warning to Mainers that ‘gay marriage’ legalization does have negative consequences on free speech and religious freedom.”

OneNewsNow: “‘Well, the fundamental issue here in the District of Columbia is the right of the citizens to vote,’ notes Nimocks. ‘The citizens have a right to make laws, just like the Council does, and yet they are being denied their right to vote on the most important fundamental issue of our time and day — and that is the issue of marriage.’”

Kennebec Journal: “A guidance counselor from Nokomis Regional High School in Newport faces a complaint from another school counselor because of his stand against same-sex marriage, as espoused in a recent television advertisement . . . ‘No American should have his or her livelihood threatened for believing marriage is a union of one man and one woman,’ said Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund.”

Washington Blade: “Alliance Defense Fund attorneys Cleta Mitchell and Austin Nimocks reiterated arguments made in June — that the board misinterpreted the election law and that existing city law requires the board to approve a marriage initiative for the ballot in 2010. ‘Clearly, the people still have the right to legislate on this through an initiative,’ Mitchell said. ‘The Human Rights Act doesn’t nullify the marriage law. The two have coincided for more than 30 years.’”

A high school counselor who supports marriage between one man and one woman has been reported to a Maine licensing board because of his views.

Metro Weekly: “Cleta Mitchell, an attorney representing Stand4MarriageDC, with which Jackson and the National Organization for Marriage are affiliated, and Austin R. Nimocks, a local attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund, an Arizona-based, ‘Christ-Centered’ legal group, and Jackson got the ball rolling Monday morning at One Judiciary Square.”

ADF attorneys Austin R. Nimocks and Tim Tracey appeared on the the Don Kroah Show to discuss the “DC Marriage Initiative of 2009″ and “The Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Union Act of 2009.”

The MP3 runs just under 11 minutes.

The ballot initiative seeks to give voters the right to decide whether marriage in D.C. should continue to be defined as the union of one man and one woman, whereas the marriage act seeks to amend the law to permit same-sex “marriage.”

ADF attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on the Jody Hice Show to discuss recent developments in the battle for marriage around the nation.

The MP3 runs just over 17 minutes.

ADF attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on Super Talk Mississippi to discuss this story: GLSEN founder overseeing safety of nation’s schools?

The MP3 runs just over 23 minutes.

OneNewsNow: “The cases involve one state department and one local official that decided to recognize homosexual ‘marriages’ that are legal in other states. Austin Nimocks is one of the ADF attorneys handling the cases. Marriage in the state of New York has always been the union between one man and one woman,’ he points out. ‘And [in these cases] you have a couple of state- and county-level executives who have it taken upon themselves to try to redefine this institution for the entire state.’”

CitizenLink: “New York’s highest court heard arguments today in a pair of cases that could change the marriage landscape, The New York Times reported . . . ‘It is not the right of state and county executives to redefine marriage for all New Yorkers,’ said Austin Nimocks, senior legal counsel for ADF.”

OneNewsNow: “The Montana Supreme Court has granted parental rights to a non-parent . . . Austin Nimocks, senior legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund, tells OneNewsNow that Montana’s highest court decided to uphold the demands of a legal stranger. ‘What the Montana Supreme Court did was give a third party — the parent’s former roommate and girlfriend — parental rights…,’ says the attorney. ‘And it runs contrary to clear precedent dating back several years in Montana and the United States Supreme Court. [It's] a very, very disturbing decision.’”

Christianity Today: “Last week, a Texas judge effectively overturned the state’s marriage law, ruling that a gay couple that had married in Massachusetts could file for divorce in Texas. Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, said that Indiana and Rhode Island have previously refused similar requests, and that a same-sex divorce case is on the docket in Oklahoma.”

“Granting acquaintances and roommates parental rights over the objections of fit parents is a very dangerous precedent.”

OneNewsNow: “Texas will appeal a ruling that the state’s Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional . . . Austin Nimocks, senior legal counsel with Alliance Defense Fund, tells OneNewsNow Callahan’s decision is a slap in the face of Texas voters. ‘The constitution is ultimately the document of the people, and the people have the final say,’ the ADF attorney argues.”

Christian Post: “A married gay couple’s divorce case has made Texas another battleground for marriage . . . ‘The government cannot consider issuing a “divorce” for a “marriage” it doesn’t recognize. Seventy-five percent of Texans in 2005 made it perfectly clear that marriage in their state is solely between one man and one woman,’ said Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel with the Alliance Defense Fund. ‘This ruling runs contrary to the voice of Texans and the historic purposes behind the state’s marriage laws.’”

“The Texas Attorney General will appeal the ruling and Alliance Defense Fund attorneys are planning to file a friend-of-the-court brief opposing the Texas court’s ruling . . . ”

ADF attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on the Georgene Rice Show to discuss efforts to repeal the Federal Defense of Marriage Act.

The MP3 runs just over 9 minutes.

ADF Media: ADF: Bill to repeal DOMA demonstrates ongoing disregard for the American people

Visit: DomaWatch

ADF attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared at FRC Action’s Conservative Training Day to provide an excellent review of pending threats to Marriage and Our Religious Liberties.

The Windows media file runs just over 28 minutes.

Mike DeBonis writes at the Washington City Paper‘s City Desk blog: “The lawyers for the referendum proponents—Steven H. Aden, Austin R. Nimocks, and Brian W. Raum—are all affiliated with the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian conservative legal advocacy group founded in 1994 by a group of politically active evangelicals (including Focus of the Family’s James Dobson). Aden is based in D.C., while Raum (who testified at a BOEE hearing) and Nimocks are from Scottsdale, Ariz.”

Baptist Press:
The New Hampshire governor is right to recognize the threat to religious liberty posed by same-sex marriage, but he underestimates the threat by a long shot,” Austin R. Nimocks, an attorney with the legal organization Alliance Defense Fund, told Baptist Press. “The protections he proposes do not cover business owners and individuals with religious objections to same-sex marriage, and these are exactly the kind of cases that the Alliance Defense Fund is having to defend.”

Legalizing “gay marriage” also negatively impacts children, Nimocks said.

“All non-partisan research and plain common sense tells us that children need a mom and dad, so the issue is bigger than a ‘personal relationship,’” he said. “In the end, the question is this: Which parent doesn’t matter: a mom or a dad?”

Baptist Press: Austin R. Nimocks, an attorney with the legal group Alliance Defense Fund — which opposes “gay marriage” — said earlier this year, “All non-partisan research and plain common sense tells us that children need a mom and dad, so the issue is bigger than a ‘personal relationship.’ In the end, the question is this: Which parent doesn’t matter: a mom or a dad?”

Baptist Press: “The New Hampshire governor is right to recognize the threat to religious liberty posed by same-sex marriage, but he underestimates the threat by a long shot,” Austin R. Nimocks, an attorney with the legal organization Alliance Defense Fund, told Baptist Press. “The protections he proposes do not cover business owners and individuals with religious objections to same-sex marriage, and these are exactly the kind of cases that the Alliance Defense Fund is having to defend.”

One News Now: Nimocks explains homosexual activists use the courts because it is about the only resource avaiable to them in most states, if they hope to gain victory. As he points out, popular votes tend not to support the radical homosexual agenda when it comes to marriage. “In 30 out of 30 states that have voted on marriage, [voters] have upheld marriage,” the attorney adds, “and so the advocates for redefining marriage want to use the courts to try to beat down the people and make sure the voice of the people is snuffed out.”

ADF attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on Reality Check Live with Mike Monokian to discuss the California marriage ruling.

The MP3 runs just over 12 minutes.

ADF Attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on Which Way LA opposite a representative of the Democratic party and a representative of the UCLA Williams Institute to discuss the California marriage battle.

The MP3 runs just over 24 minutes.

Dan Gilgoff writing at the U.S. News & World Report God & Country blog: “Conservative Christian groups are applauding the ruling. ‘The California Supreme Court arrived at the only correct conclusion available: The people of California have a fundamental right to amend their own Constitution,’ said Alliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks.”

Lillian Kwon reports in the Christian Post: “Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which helped defend Proposition 8 in court hearings, praised the court for respecting the results of fair elections and arriving ‘at the only correct conclusion: the people of California have a fundamental right to amend their own constitution.’”

Howard Mintz reports in the Mercury News: “The California Supreme Court today upheld Proposition 8, the voter-approved law restoring a ban on same-sex marriages in the state, but at the same time left intact the more than 18,000 marriages for gay and lesbian couples who wed last year before the ballot measure went into effect . . . ‘In America, we respect the results of fair elections,’ said Austin Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the conservative Alliance Defense Fund. ‘The California Supreme Court arrived at the only correct conclusion available.’”

Christian Science Monitor: The California Supreme Court ruled Tuesday to uphold a statewide ballot initiative that limits marriage to heterosexual couples, while at the same time preserving 18,000 same-sex marriages that took place before the measure was passed last year . . . “The California Supreme Court arrived at the only correct conclusion available: The people of California have a fundamental right to amend their own constitution,” said Austin Nimocks, a lawyer for the Alliance Defense Fund, a group that opposes same-sex marriages, in a statement. “This is the second time California has voted to protect marriage. Once again, when marriage goes before the voters, they affirm that marriage means one man and one woman. All 30 states that have voted on whether to affirm marriage as one man and one woman in their state constitutions have done so.”

ABC Local (includes video): The next big battle over same-sex marriage in California may not be fought in the Bay Area or even the Golden State. Legal teams on both sides of the issue were preparing Wednesday morning to take the case to federal court, possibly even the U.S. Supreme Court . . . “In America, we respect the results of fair elections. The California Supreme Court arrived at the only correct conclusion available: The people of California have a fundamental right to amend their own constitution.” — Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel, Alliance Defense Fund.

Dakota Voice reprinted from Christian Post:
Lauding the decision, Andrew Pugno, general counsel of ProtectMarriage.com, responded, “We are very gratified that the California Supreme Court has upheld Proposition 8. This is the culmination of years of hard work to preserve marriage in California.” Austin R. Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, which helped defend Proposition 8 in court hearings, praised the court for respecting the results of fair elections and arriving “at the only correct conclusion: the people of California have a fundamental right to amend their own constitution.”

“By allowing the previously-issued same-sex ‘marriage’ licenses to remain valid, the court is perpetuating the problem that it itself created. And it’s doing this despite the clear vote of the people . . . . ” Nimocks said.

Kevin Landrigan writing in the Nashua Telegraph: “Austin Nimocks with the socially conservative Alliance Defense Fund said Lynch’s changes fail to protect conscientious objectors based on religion and predicted the law would lead to lawsuits.”

“The committee voted down an amendment proposed by Republican committee members to further protect businesses and individuals who oppose gay marriage because of their religious beliefs . . . Austin Nimocks of the Alliance Defense Fund said litigation will result if the bill passes.”

Cathy Lynn Grossman has this post at USA Today comparing and contrasting comments by RNC Chairman Michael Steele with comments by ADF attorney Austin R. Nimocks.

Michael Steele saying marriage redefinition will harm small businesses: “Now all of a sudden I’ve got someone who wasn’t a spouse before, that I had no responsibility for, who is now getting claimed as a spouse that I now have financial responsibility for. So how do I pay for that? Who pays for that? You just cost me money.”

Austin R. Nimocks: “The [NH] governor is right to recognize the threat to religious liberty, but he underestimates the threat by a long shot. Where are the protections for business owners with religious objections to recognizing same-sex marriages? ”

Regarding Austin’s comments, Grossman observes: “The concern is here is not so much that business owners might need to provide benefits but that they would be forced to recognize client’s or potential client’s ‘counterfeit ‘marriages’… or face severe consequences.”

“The governor is right to recognize the threat to religious liberty, but he underestimates the threat by a long shot. Where are the protections for business owners with religious objections to recognizing same-sex ‘marriages’?

Insurance Journal: It is not antithetical in this country to be a business owner and a religious person,” said Austin Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian-oriented legal defense group. Nimocks said the exemptions in the bill for religious organizations were “grossly inadequate,” and that passage of the bill would guarantee litigation.

Associated Press: “‘It is not antithetical in this country to be a business owner and a religious person,’ said Austin Nimocks, senior legal counsel for the Alliance Defense Fund, a Christian-oriented legal defense group. Nimocks said the exemptions in the bill for religious organizations were ‘grossly inadequate,’ and that passage of the bill would guarantee litigation.”

Doug Denison reports in the Dover Post: “Austin R. Nimocks, a lawyer with the Alliance Defense Fund, said the bill would conflict with the constitutionally protected right of religions freedom, and that such legislation opens the door for permitting gay marriage.”

lliance Defense Fund Senior Legal Counsel Austin R. Nimocks will be available for media interviews Wednesday following his testimony before the Delaware Legislature arguing against the passage of H.B. 5. If enacted, the law would equate a range of sexual behaviors with legitimate protected classes such as age, race, and handicap, is a serious threat to fundamental liberty.

An Alliance Defense Fund attorney along with other team members will be volunteering in their personal capacity to participate Thursday in a “prayer flight” over the greater Phoenix area and the Arizona state capitol to commemorate the National Day of Prayer.

Austin R. Nimocks: “However, whatever the source of your religion, you’re entitled to hold those beliefs and order your life accordingly. And whether you support or oppose same-sex “marriage” is beside the point. Either way, you should unequivocally support the right of all Americans to disagree if they choose to disagree.”

The Daily Free Press: “The Alliance Defense Fund, a group that works to defend religious liberty, argues that not only will the legalization of same-sex marriage threaten marriage but, it will deny the children of same-sex couples their right to a mother and a father. ‘Politicians should never impose a system that intentionally deprives a child of a mother and father,’ ADF Senior Legal Counsel Austin Nimocks said in an April 7 press release. ‘The state should do everything necessary to ensure that children aren’t denied their most important birthright: a mom and a dad.’”

ADF Attorney Austin R. Nimocks appeared on WNTK radio to discuss the NH transgender bill, SB 415, which failed yesterday. The bill essentially said that sex was a state of mind not a biological fact.

The mp3 runs just over three minutes.

Related: Concord Monitor: Committee votes 5-0 against rights for transsexuals