Contact: Dawn Williams, 415-651-4171, dawn.williams@ccgaction.org

WASHINGTON, April 4, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- During the oral arguments in the DOMA case before the US Supreme Court, Solicitor General Verilli stunned observers by acknowledging that the Congress can define marriage for the purpose of interpreting federal laws and regulations without encroaching on the states' rights to define and regulate the institution. He emphasized that the Court should strike the definition of marriage down because it violates the equal protection provision by treating same-sex couples differently. He was referring to a state that had not redefined marriage, but had laws recognizing what other jurisdictions defined as marriage.

"Redefining marriage is a two-sided coin with unrecognized consequences," says William B. May author of the booklet Getting the Marriage Conversation Right: a Guide for Effective Dialogue, and President of Catholics for the Common Good (CCG).

"On one side, finding laws defining marriage between a man and a woman unconstitutional may permit same-sex couples to marry or receive federal benefits, but since marriage between a man and a woman forms the only civil institution geared to unite kids with their moms and dads, it consequently makes promoting the unique value of that institution also unconstitutional."

He noted that the timing is ironic because sociologists are recommending social marketing programs geared to change attitudes and behavior promoting men and women to marry before having the children. "Sociologists see the need to address the consequences of the breakdown of marriage and the growing incidence of fatherlessness, while the Court may be poised to strip all authority to do that," he said.

See an article about this topic as described by Mr. May and his booklet, Getting the Marriage Conversation Right: a Guide for Effective Dialogue at Integrated Catholic Life.

May is available to comment on:

• What the DOMA case is about
   
• How the Supreme Court's ruling could affect the institution of marriage
   
• Why homosexuality is not the real issue
   
• Suggestions on how we can promote marriage

For more information or to schedule William May for an interview, contact Dawn Williams, 415-651-4171 or dawn.williams@ccgaction.org.