Contact: Valerie Mosher, Concerned Women for America, 202-488-7000 ext. 125

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 /Christian Newswire/ -- In a close 4-3 decision on Tuesday, the Maryland Court of Appeals, ruling in Conaway v. Deane, smacked down arguments by the ALCU, nine homosexual couples and a lower state circuit court which had earlier ruled that Maryland's law reaffirming the true definition of marriage as the union between one man and one woman amounted to unconstitutional "sex discrimination." 

Matt Barber, Policy Director for Cultural Issues with Concerned Women for America (CWA), said, "In this case, the court has simply reaffirmed what reasonable people have known all along, that the best interest of children should always trump the selfish demands of special interest groups.  The court has protected the gold standard by wisely holding that the state has a rational basis for protecting marriage as between one man and one woman.  Although it's not always possible, it has been proven that the best environment for children is with a mom and a dad.      

"The strategy of liberal extremists hasn't changed," said Barber.  "The ACLU and their homosexual activist cohorts have once again abused the judiciary in an effort to circumvent both the legislature and the clear will of the people.  Thankfully, at least for now and in this instance, they've been unsuccessful.  But they won't quit until the institution of marriage is redefined into oblivion." 

Pointing to a recent ruling by a county judge in Iowa, which overturned that state's marriage protection law, Barber continued, "As we recently saw in Iowa, it only takes one renegade judicial activist to unilaterally and arbitrarily impose his will upon the people.  This case in Maryland reminds us that the only way to ensure that the institution of marriage is protected is to pass both state, and ultimately federal, marriage amendments." 

Evalena Gray, State Director for CWA of Maryland, was cautiously optimistic.  "We're thankful for the favorable ruling by the Maryland Court of Appeals," said Gray.  "Still, we must continue to be vigilant.  We know the ACLU and their activist clients will be back.  They always come back.  And when they do, we should be ready." 

Concerned Women for America is the nation's largest public policy women's organization.