Secular Media Making SF Mayor a 'Cult Hero,' Attorney Says

by Allie Martin and Jody Brown
February 18, 2004

(AgapePress) - A constitutional attorney with a Christian law firm says there is a clear double standard in the secular media's coverage of a decision by the mayor of San Francisco to grant "marriage" licenses to homosexual couples and last summer's refusal by Roy Moore to remove a Ten Commandments monument from a state building.

Last summer, Roy Moore -- who was then chief justice of the Alabama Supreme Court -- was blasted by secular media for refusing to follow a federal court order that called for the removal of the granite monument. In contrast, says Steve Crampton, chief counsel with the American Family Association Center for Law & Policy, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom is being portrayed as a cult hero -- even though he clearly has violated the law.

Steve Crampton

"There is clear state law by virtue of Proposition 22 that said same-sex marriage is basically contrary to California law -- marriage shall consist only in one man, one woman -- as well as the law that we have cited that prohibits the procurement of false documents," Crampton says in reference to letters his group sent to California officials. "In this case, the mayor knowingly is procuring bogus marriage certificates for same-sex couples."

The attorney points out that Newsom is receiving much different coverage from the media than Moore did last summer.

"Unlike Justice Moore, Mayor Newsom seems to be becoming something of a cult hero, and it remains to be seen whether anyone will take him to account and actually discipline him for his actions," he says. "I think we have a plain indication here of the double standard that applies to Christians as distinct from liberals such as Mayor Newsom."

Arnold Speaks -- a Little
Crampton says Mayor Newsom's actions are setting the stage for legalization of homosexual marriage nationwide. The attorney also says the mayor's actions show he is not fit to hold public office. Newsom had been in office only 12 days when he directed the San Francisco county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

On Friday, the Center for Law & Policy called on California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the state's attorney general, and the San Francisco city attorney to arrest Mayor Newsom for his open violation of state law. The Los Angeles Times reports that Schwarzenegger, whose silence on the issue had been conspicuous, issued a statement on Tuesday condemning the marriages and calling on the courts to act swiftly.

"I support all of California's existing laws that provide domestic partnership benefits and protections," the statement said. "However, Californians spoke on the issue of same-sex marriage when they overwhelmingly approved California's law that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. I support that law and encourage San Francisco officials to obey that law. The courts should act swiftly to resolve this matter."

Evidently the governor's idea of "acting swiftly" differs immensely from the two judges who, on Tuesday, heard arguments from pro-family groups that sought emergency injunctions to stop the issuance of the marriage licenses to homosexual couples.

San Francisco Superior Court Judge James L. Warren, hearing a request from the Alliance Defense Fund, refused to order an immediate stop to the unions. Instead, he gave city officials two options: either "cease and desist" issuing the disputed licenses -- or return to court on March 29 and explain why they haven't.

A few hours earlier, the other case -- brought by Liberty Counsel on behalf of the Campaign for California Families -- was heard by Superior Court Judge Ronald Quidachay. That judge declined to block the unlawful issuing of marriage licenses to same-sex couples, saying he needed more notice, and rescheduled a hearing for Friday.

Gary Bauer

Looking for the 'Tall Grass'
Pro-family activist Gary Bauer wonders how anyone at the White House "or anywhere" can still be confused about what is happening in the City by the Bay. For those who may be confused, he explains:

"A small minority, using the courts and aided and abetted by a handful of elected radicals, is well on its way to deconstructing the institution of marriage in America," Bauer says, heaping somewhat sarcastic praise on those doing the deconstructing. "Give them credit -- they are bold, confident, and relentless on behalf of their disastrous agenda."

And Bauer believes the homosexuals couples flocking to San Francisco to get "married" -- as well as their supporters -- are banking that in the meantime, conservatives politicians will "run for the tall grass" rather than speak up for the centuries-old traditional, biblical concept of marriage. "So far," he says, "they are right."

San Francisco city officials estimate that, at the current pace, by Friday more than 3,000 homosexual couples will have been issued a "marriage" license and taken vows to be "spouses for life." Mayor Newsom has taken his own vow -- that he will continue to permit homosexual marriages to take place until he is ordered to stop. Tuesday's court rulings raise the prospect that literally thousands more same-sex couples could hold marriage licenses by the time the legal battle returns to court.