NOM Strategist, Louis J. Marinelli, Declares Support For Same-Sex Marriage

Louis J. Marinelli Website:

Having spent the last five years putting all of my political will, interest and energy into fighting against the spread of same-sex marriage as if it were a contagious disease, I must admit that it is hard for me to put the following text into words let alone utter them with my own voice.

Read the whole story: Louis J. Marinelli Website

Comments

[JeremiahA]

01:03 PM on 04/15/2011

First, if there were hateful comments made by him or others on his Facebook page, he should have nipped them in the bud immediately. There is never any call for such uncivil discourse.

Mr. Marinelli seems to be a common young man who did the right thing (support marriage) for the right reasons and is now doing the wrong thing because of wrong reasoning. He should apply some critical thinking and realize that...
...he cannot be both for marriage and for same-sex marriage. He can be for one or the other but not both at the same time, sine the terms are mutually exclusive.
...acceptance of a person and acceptance of their choices or behavior are two different things. We should respect each other as huam beings because we have transcedental value, while being equally aware that the quality of respect for every choice we make, or behavior we choose to engage in, does not fundamentally apply equally, nor should it.
...someone wanting do something does not necessarily make that act "good" for the person or for society. I may want to drive 110 mph on the freeway but this is not good for me or for anyone else.

[AMCD]

09:39 PM on 04/14/2011

Ok. I don't know how old Mr. Marinelli is. I know that I made mistakes in my youth. We all do. Mr. Marinelli has taken a big step in acknowledging this. It might have been easier for him to not admit to the world, and people he considered his friends, that he felt the position of anti LGBT was wrong.

From some of the posts on this subject I see a considerable amount of anger and pain regarding his previous convictions. That is understandable. And it is easier for me to forgive him since I am not gay. But the anti gay agenda does affect me. I hate it. I hate to see people who claim my religion and spew nothing but hate for others. I've had two gay roommates, gay friends and relatives and most of them were more Christian-like than some self proclaimed Christians.

Yes, I understand your concern that Mr. Marinelli has done a lot of harm and needs to work hard to repair that harm.

Please, be better than those who hate you. Don't throw hate back into Mr. Marinelli's face. I'm sure his 'in box' is full of hate mail from those he considered his friends.

[Robert HarbinMcGee]

02:26 PM on 04/14/2011

Conflicted: I suppose this statement should make me feel all warm and fuzzy... LGBT groups are saying this is great. So, why do I feel so angry that ONE self appointed Propagandist and Hate-Monger, who has hurt and confused so many people, has the audacity to condemn or condone the same gender committed relationship I have shared with my partner for the past 25 years? Frankly, Mr. Marinelli, it does not matter to me what you support or think.

[AMCD]

09:21 PM on 04/14/2011

Robert,

Please do be like the people that hate gays. Be better than them. Mr. Marinelli has taken a big step to reverse his stance on gays and gay marriage. He should be applauded for it. If it gets others in his shoes to re-evaluate their position then we will all be better off.

BTW, I'm a Christian who supports gay marriage. Mr. Marinelle sets an example for us all. Live without hate in your hear.

[Robert HarbinMcGee]

02:51 AM on 04/15/2011

Thank you for your reply AMCD, and for your support of gay marriage.
I understand and respect the point you are making. That said, and with all respect, I can't help but think you are missing my point.
My heart is not filled with hatred. My heart is weary from being a target for the hatred of others because I am Gay.
I fail to see how Mr. Marinelli "sets an example for all". Certainly not for me! I do not buy the line that we (LGBT) have to be sweet and lick the hand that no longer beats us.

I think it is great that many people are realizing that THERE IS NO HATE-BASED GAY AGENDA, that we come from all walks of life, that we are not something to be feared and demonized, that we also deserve every right afforded to every American.
You may also recall that Mr. Marenelli makes a very clear distinction between "Holy Matrimony", & "Same-sex Civil Union", a distinction I find devicive and unnecessary. Marriage is Marriage - whether it is via a Church or a City Hall. Civil Union is Not the same as Marriage - it creates to distinct categories based upon opposite gender and same gender. Opposite gender couples who get "Married" by a Judge, instead of a Minister do not announce that they have just created a Civil Union, they say they are Married.
Best Wishes and Thank You for your support of Gay Marriage.

[Cactusman]

04:42 PM on 04/12/2011

Here's proof that evolution does occur.

Personally, I believe that Marinelli ought to be encouraged in his reversal of opposition to same-sex marriage rights, not condemned. For a major organizer in a group such as NOM to have defected to our camp is significant and we need to forgive and embrace him. His departure is a HUGE PR disaster for NOM, as it should be. This can only serve to help move LGBT rights ahead.

This does not mean some skepticism isn't appropriate until he proves his worth over time, but how does the LGBT community being mean and sarcastic about his conversion of heart help anyone who cares about justice? Let's cautiously embrace his arrival in our camp and continue working for change with him aboard on our side. :-)

Thanks to Louis Marinelli for doing the brave and courageous thing. It cannot have been easy for you, and I for one admire your change!

[ObservantDem]

11:47 PM on 04/10/2011

My reaction to this is the same one I had to the announcement that Ken Mehlman was gay and in favor of marriage equality: Thanks for the support but if you want to be accepted after all the damage you've caused you need to be out, leading the parade in go-go boots,short-shorts,topless while waving a gay pride flag.

[practiceempathy]

12:08 PM on 04/11/2011

And he needs to give to each and every gay person some of the money he made from demonizing us and pitting against us the country all those years. Fair deal, yes?

[deweydecimal]

03:07 PM on 04/11/2011

I second that. F&F

[Larkin31]

09:42 PM on 04/10/2011

We are entitled to change our views. But I find it bizarre, and wondered if this was a hoax, when he wrote that his turning point was when he first thought of gays as "real people." Is this guy for "real" himself?

[Eric N Davis]

12:14 AM on 04/11/2011

You are certainly justified in questioning his motivations. They say that actions speak louder than words. We'll just have to wait and see what further actions Mr. Marinelli takes in following up this recent declaration. If he puts just as much effort and energy into the marriage equality campaign, as he did in he previous endeavors, then I think it will go a long way in repairing much of the damage he helped cause.

I'm willing to give him a chance to show his true colors. Hopefully they will be he colors of the rainbow.

[anthonybrown]

08:51 AM on 04/17/2011

The next thing you know, he'll say something crazier, like realizing that human beings less than nine months old are "real people."

[RainbowTeacher]

07:30 PM on 04/10/2011

After reading NYC123 preaching, I found some truth in his words when he quoted: treat others as you would like to be treated! That is it exactly. All we want is to be treated like everyone else and be allowed to marry the person we love and want to live a committed life with. Why is that so hard to fathom? If we all lived by the Golden Rule instead of "my God hates you", we would all be much happier.

[NYC123]

06:40 PM on 04/10/2011

Think for a moment about the world in which we find ourselves in. What an abundance of wickedness! As the apostle Paul foretold, men and women are “lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God.” Indeed, ‘wicked men and impostors advance from bad to worse, misleading and being misled.’—2 Timothy 3:1, 4, 13.
Adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, and abortion—these and other words have become household expressions. Such things are freely and approvingly spoken about on radio and television and in religious and educational circles. Pornography is big business and readily available to all. Some of the most popular movies, stage plays, and television soap operas involve stories connected with immorality of some kind. How grateful we are to be no part of this! And how hard we need to fight to be sure that such insidious propaganda does not affect our hearts!
Followers of the God of the Bible heed Paul’s warning: “Let fornication and uncleanness of every sort or greediness not even be mentioned among you, just as it befits holy people . . . Keep on making sure of what is acceptable to the Lord So keep strict watch that how you walk is not as unwise but as wise persons.” Rather, Paul said, we should think about things that are true, righteous, chaste, lovable, and virtuous.—Ephesians 5:3-16; Philippians 4:8.

[EmmaDarian]

06:45 PM on 04/10/2011

Well, since this isn't the NYC123 Preaching Forum, but rather a discussion about the published piece, how about we stick to the topic?

So, again:

Do you think our marriage laws should be determined by the bible or not?

It's a very simple question that you should be able to answer with a yes or no.

[zetacplus]

09:45 PM on 04/10/2011

I agree. I'm skeptical of this guy becomes of the harm he's done. To not believe in gay marriage is one thing but to actively fight for legislation that discriminates against others is just disturbing. Our constitution is clear about our freedoms and being treated equally under the law. Anyone who attacks that will not get my support. I'm glad this guy came around but what he did and others continue to do is despicable. Others want to attack me because I'm not willing to forgive him right away. I don't think they understand the harm he's done. Religious values have no place in our laws.

[mercury613]

05:58 PM on 04/11/2011

Expect little in the way of an answer, and much in the way of rationalizing and tap dancing around the issue.

[RainbowTeacher]

07:22 PM on 04/10/2011

Says NYC123 in his polyblend sweat pants, eating a shrimp cocktail, while coveting his neighbor's house, wife and tractor.

[legaleagle4]

04:50 PM on 04/10/2011

He really seems to be sincere, and if he is, that's good enough for me. Changing positions on a major issue like this - and being able to own up to it - requires unimaginable strength (again, if he's sincere).

[EmmaDarian]

04:23 PM on 04/10/2011

"Men with multiple wives – it’s biblically acceptable"

Well, that's true. But a woman initiating a divorce isn't. At least according to Jesus. Not even if she is being physically abused.

So anyone who wants our marriage laws to come from the Bible should also want divorce to be illegal except as allowed in the Bible. That means even an abused woman couldn't divorce. Why aren't you out there collecting signatures to make divorce illegal? Or don't you want the Bible to determine our marriage laws?

[NYC123]

05:21 PM on 04/10/2011

If you want you can find fault with every premise I listed. Key overriding teaching right there with: love of God Almighty with all one might, Love of Neighbor like thy self, treat others like your would like to be treated,....... is love your wife like yourself. Sister, try not to get distracted with what can take you attention away from seeking, finding, and holding on to, the opportunity of everlasting life that is found in the shed blood of our Savior! Satan would love to just distract each of us in our spiritual journey toward our Father in Heaven!

[mercury613]

05:26 PM on 04/10/2011

You have no evidence whatsoever that homosexuals are dysfunctional, or that same-sex marriage will negatively impact society in any way. None. All you have is "My god doesn't approve of it."

It's not gay people's fault that the facts and evidence are not on your side. If you're angry and want someone to blame, look in the mirror.

[ez duz it]

06:33 PM on 04/11/2011

Hi, mercury613--

Wonderfully said! Would re-fan you if I could. Faved is the best I can do...

--ez

[Dan Garfinkel]

02:21 PM on 04/10/2011

And to further support your distinction between Civil and Holy matrimony: I'm heterosexual, but can't force any church to marry me and my wife - we're atheists, and it doesn't violate any of my rights that a priest won't perform the service.

[Dan Garfinkel]

02:17 PM on 04/10/2011

Cudos, Mr. Marinelli. This was obviously a very difficult change for you; your piece was eloquent and moving. Welcome home.

[SkannerConstant]

01:51 PM on 04/10/2011

What else can I say? Louis, you've made my day!

[cjk002]

01:43 PM on 04/10/2011

Although social conservatives saw it as a great victory, I think that the country reached a tipping point in favor of marriage equality with the passage of Prop 8. It seems like every week someone from the right is switching sides on this issue, and the polls and the courts are moving rapidly in favor of gay marriage, with some of them even showing a majority of Americans now in favor of it.

Here's an interesting graph that shows the steady decline of opposition and the steady increase in support for gay marriage:

http://www.538host.com/ssm8810.png

DADT repeal was a huge nail in the coffin of anti-gay discrimination, and even some of the most conservative pundits are saying that it is inevitable.

I almost feel sorry for the tro//s who come to stories like these and post their drivel trying to defend discrimination, and I wonder if they'll ever look back in shame on the things they said here, like the r@cists of past decades do about their actions in the 60's and 70's.

[mercury613]

02:11 PM on 04/10/2011

I totally agree. Prop 8 put marriage equality in the national spotlight, and it lit a fire under the LGBT community and our supporters to fight harder -- and smarter. Marinelli's (hopefully genuine) change of heart is an example of what can happen when "the other" has a real, human face.

Unfortunately, many will never look back with shame on their actions. A recent poll shows that 46% of Mississippi Republicans think that interracial marriage should be illegal, while an additional 14% are "unsure":

http://www.aolnews.com/2011/04/08/46-percent-of-mississippi-republicans-want-interracial-marriage/

Some people just don't change.

[zetacplus]

09:56 PM on 04/10/2011

I agree that Prop 8 has a lot to do with it also, but I'm still ashamed that we live in a country where others will fight to add discrimination into our laws, and succeed at it. Gay couples are still being harmed everyday with DOMA and that's a complete injustice. I'm glad this guy turned around because his position before was sick and reprehensible. DOMA affects me and my partner and he fought for that. Some don't understand what it's like.

[xenas mom]

10:33 AM on 04/11/2011

Trolls have no shame, nor do they practice reflection.

[JessWonderin]

11:24 AM on 04/10/2011

Quick read shows "God" felt homosexuality was an "abomination" like wearing mixed fabrics or eating shellfish... On the other hand "adultry" made the "Big Ten" and Christibans have no problem with serial adultry disgused as "divorce" ..... "forgiveness"????

[Someone Said]

11:58 AM on 04/10/2011

And what in the heck do these people know about what "God" said, they just make up their rules as they go along and claim it was the word of "God." If you don't want to be gay but don't be just leave others alone and stop plastering the world with your opinions.

[CharlesW299]

12:17 AM on 04/11/2011

Yes, you would thing they would deal with the big 10 before they started on the shellfish cocktails.