The "About" page at the Florida Family Policy Council (FPPC) tells us that it "is one of 38 other state based policy council around the country which are associated with Focus on the Family," and that its mission is "to strengthen Florida’s families through public policy education, issue research, and grassroots advocacy." It claims that is basis for public argument is "using good research, sound arguments and articulate presentations to make the case for pro-life, pro-family values in the public square."
FPPC opposes same-sex marriage. According to the Associated Press and AP reporter Brendan Farrington, in a Sunday story (HT Twitchy) carried at the Miami Herald which seems not to have appeared at the wire service's national site, that means the FPPC is "anti-gay":
It might surprise Farrington to know that there are people like Doug Mainwaring, and he's far from alone:
I’m gay, and I oppose gay marriage
In our sometimes misguided efforts to expand our freedom, selfish adults have systematically dismantled that which is most precious to children as they grow and develop. That’s why I am now speaking out against same-sex marriage.
By the way, I am gay.
A few days ago I testified against pending same-sex marriage legislation in Minnesota’s Senate Judiciary and House Civil Law Committees.
The atmosphere at these events (I’ve also testified elsewhere) seems tinged with unreality—almost a carnival-like surrealism. Natural law, tradition, religion, intellectual curiosity, and free inquiry no longer play a role in deliberations. Same-sex marriage legislation is defended solely on grounds of moral relativism and emotions.
Pure sophistry is pitted against reason. Reason is losing.
So is any semblance of objective reporting on the issue.
Continuing:
... Same-sex marriage will not expand rights and freedoms in our nation. It will not redefine marriage. It will undefine it.
This isn’t the first time our society has undefined marriage. No-fault divorce, instituted all across our country, sounded like a good idea at the time. Its unintended consequence was that it changed forever the definition of marriage from a permanent relationship between spouses to a temporary one. Sadly, children became collateral damage in the selfish pursuits of adults.
Same-sex marriage will do the same, depriving children of their right to either a mom or a dad.
The Twitchy post writer observed: "Evidently, somewhere along the way, opposition to gay marriage became the same thing as homophobia — at least according to the Associated Press." As Mainwaring noted, that's hogwash.
Further, a strong case can be made that "It isn't those who oppose gay marriage who are the bigots - it is the liberals who demonise them."
But don't expect AP or the rest of the establishment press to back down.
Cross-posted at BizzyBlog.com.
