PR: Outraged Parents Clearly Drive Republican Win in Virginia
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Outraged Parents Clearly Drive Republican Win in Virginia
November 3, 2021 – Raleigh, NC – “It doesn’t take a seasoned political analyst to see that the results from last night’s Virginia race were driven by parents, not political agendas per se,” said Tami Fitzgerald, Executive Director, North Carolina Values Coalition (https://www.ncvalues.org).
Fitzgerald is referring to the state-wide elections last night in Virginia, a state Democrats had declared a ‘Blue State,’ where the Governor’s seat, Lt. Governor’s and Attorney General’s seats were all won by Republicans in a strong sweep with large winning margins. Two of the three seats were also won by minority candidates, a first in that State’s history.
Fitzgerald continued, “Last night’s win in our neighboring state is a testament, I believe, to the need for our elected officials to be responsive to parents and recognize that it is parents, and not government schools, that play the major role in educating their children. The issue,” Fitzgerald stated, “is whether parents are still entitled to educate their children according to their values, not Critical Race Theory or any other curriculum designed to indoctrinate children. Lt. Governor Robinson is right that some schools are feeding our children pornography, and this election shows that parents have reached the tipping point.”
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For Further Information Contact
Stephen Xavier, Director
Communications
919-493-2000
[email protected]
Founded in 2011, the N.C. Values Coalition is a non-partisan, statewide grassroots network of North Carolinians who support and advocate for pro-family positions. The North Carolina Values Coalition is a non-profit education and lobbying organization that qualifies for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is based in Raleigh, NC.
PR: NC Values Coalition Lambastes Wake County Commissioners, Raleigh City Council On SOGI “Anti-discrimination” Vote
Press Release
For Immediate Release
NC Values Coalition Lambastes Wake County Commissioners, Raleigh City Council On SOGI “Anti-discrimination” Vote
October 20, 2021 – Raleigh, NC – “Every person should be treated with dignity and respect. And our laws should protect the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of every citizen, no matter who they are,” said Tami Fitzgerald, Executive Director of the North Carolina Values Coalition (https://www.ncvalues.org). “Unfortunately, coercive sexual orientation and gender identity (“SOGI”) laws like the ordinances just adopted by Wake County and Raleigh undermine both fairness and freedom. These laws force people who willingly serve everyone to promote messages and celebrate events that conflict with their beliefs,” said Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald continued, “One only needs to look back just a few years or less to the stories of small business owners like Jack Phillips, Barronelle Stutzman, and Blaine Adamson who were penalized, dragged through endless court battles, and whose livelihoods were threatened or destroyed just for declining to create custom art that expresses messages that conflict with their beliefs. People of faith should not be treated like second-class citizens. Tolerance is a two-way street.”
Currently, Fitzgerald is referring to the passage of nondiscrimination laws that are amended to add Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (“SOGI”) as protected categories. These laws are on the rise after the expiration of House Bill 142 (“HB 142”) in December of 2020. HB 142 placed a temporary pause on local SOGI laws and was created in response to the Charlotte, NC Bathroom Bill that resulted in House Bill 2 several years ago. With the moratorium no longer in effect, LGBT groups are urging local governments to put SOGI laws in effect and to do so unnecessarily.
Fitzgerald continued, “Although these recent ordinances exempt religious organizations, they do not protect the Constitutionally guaranteed rights of free speech and freedom of religion for people of faith in their everyday lives, at work, at school, and in their businesses. Laws that single out and punish citizens on the basis of their peacefully expressed beliefs should be rejected. These divisive SOGI laws take away constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and provoke intolerance toward people who have beliefs different than those in political power.”
Research indicates that in public records requests in 12 states revealed an overwhelming majority (99.98%) of allegations of discrimination lacked merit. In Phoenix, Arizona, the city passed a SOGI law on the belief that discrimination based on sexual orientation was rampant in the area. During the first two years following its passage, only four complaints were filed—all of which were dismissed without merit.
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Founded in 2011, the N.C. Values Coalition is a non-partisan, statewide grassroots network of North Carolinians who support and advocate for pro-family positions. The North Carolina Values Coalition is a non-profit education and lobbying organization that qualifies for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is based in Raleigh, NC.
For Further Information Contact
Stephen Xavier, Director
Communications
919-493-2000
[email protected]
NC VALUES: North Carolina Values Coalition’s Tami Fitzgerald Supports Lt. Governor Mark Robinson
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 14, 2021
Stephen Xavier
North Carolina Values Coalition
[email protected]
919-493-2000
NC VALUES: North Carolina Values Coalition’s Tami Fitzgerald Supports Lt. Governor Mark Robinson
"Lt. Governor Robison is more than a breath of fresh air for North Carolina. He is an atypical politician who speaks the truth, often at great risk to himself, as he fights for the our state’s citizens and our children. Thank God someone has the courage to take up that fight and we support him one hundred percent.”
— Tami Fitzgerald, President, NC Values Coalition
RALEIGH, NC: “It’s a sad day for us all when parents put 50 children outside the Lt. Governor’s office to protest an issue I’m confident these children barely understand” said Tami Fitzgerald, President, North Carolina Values Coalition. “Lt. Governor Robison is more than a breath of fresh air for North Carolina” Fitzgerald continued, “he is an atypical politician who speaks the truth, often at great risk to himself, as he fights for the our state’s citizens and our children. Thank God someone has the courage to take up that fight and we support him one hundred percent.”
Fitzgerald is referring to the recent protests organized outside the Lt. Governor’s office in Raleigh yesterday. The protests were ignited by a video of Robinson where he refers to several books in school libraries that showed explicit photos of homosexual sex acts performed by young people. Robinson’s use of the word “filth” was making reference to the books, not members of the LGBTQ community, as the media and the LGBTQ community claim. In a subsequent video produced by Robison he made certain to clarify the word “filth” was directed at the books, not members of the gay or lesbian community, yet the protests persist.
Fitzgerald continued, “I know Mark Robison both personally and professionally and I know he is a fierce defender of our rights, everyone’s rights, and a compassionate man. The attacks on him are baseless and wholly unfair. Has anyone noticed that not one single protester’s sign showed the actual graphic sexual images Robinson is attacking? The simple fact that the images are not on full display by the protesters should tell you something.”
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REQUEST AN INTERVIEW OR COMMENT:
If you would like to discuss these clarifications further or schedule an interview with a representative from NC Values Coalition, we would love to hear from you! Please call or text us at 919-493-2000, or email us at [email protected].
NC VALUES:
Founded in 2011, the N.C. Values Coalition is a non-partisan, statewide grassroots network of North Carolinians who support and advocate for pro-family positions. The North Carolina Values Coalition is a non-profit education and lobbying organization that qualifies for tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. It is based in Raleigh, NC.
The Celebration of Carolina Values 2020
Dobbs vs. Jackson Women's Health Amicus Brief
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT:
This important Supreme Court case brings one of the most significant challenges to Roe v. Wade in years. In short, the issue in question with the case is whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.
Our brief argues: "Abortion terminates the life of an independent human being in the early stages of development. The Court should reject the viability line, step down from its inappropriate role as ex officio medical board, and discard the fallacy that women need access to abortion to participate in public life on an equal basis with men." "It is time for this Court to recognize, respect, and protect the life of every vulnerable, defenseless child developing in the womb of his or her mother."
NC VALUES: Governor Cooper vetoed babies.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 25th, 2021
Julie Scott Emmons
North Carolina Values Coalition
[email protected]
919-813-6490
NC VALUES: Governor Cooper vetoed babies.
(North Carolina Values Coalition's response to Governor Roy Cooper's last minute veto of HB453, the Human Life Nondiscrimination Act)
“It is unfortunate that Governor Cooper missed this opportunity to protect our precious preborn babies who have Down syndrome. Every single person--regardless of how many chromosomes they have—has inherent dignity, worth, and unlimited potential. North Carolina should be a state where differences are celebrated and all babies are welcome. We encourage members of the North Carolina General Assembly to embrace Life and ensure that this legislation becomes law.”
— Julie Scott Emmons, Vice President, NC Values Coalition
"Saving unborn babies who have been diagnosed with Down Syndrome from being targeted for selective abortion based solely on their disability prevents discrimination. Ending that kind of discrimination based on a disability is most certainly not an “unprecedented government intrusion” as Cooper said, because our Civil Rights laws were intentioned to end just that kind of discrimination. The Governor should mind his own ‘unprecedented government intrusions’ in the past year."
— Tami Fitzgerald, President, NC Values Coalition
RALEIGH, NC: Every child should have the chance to live a full, happy life, including persons with Down syndrome. All babies--born and unborn--should be protected from the tragic practice of eugenic abortion.
It is estimated that 70% of all babies with a prenatal diagnosis are aborted, many of whom are the victims of prenatal screening tests that have high false positive rates. Federal laws, such as the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act specifically protect individuals from discrimination based on race or disability. HB453 simply enshrines this protection for people who have yet to be born.
BACKGROUND:
- 6 states have laws prohibiting abortions motivated by the race of the child (AZ, IN, KY, MS, MO, and TN).
- 14 states, including North Carolina, have laws prohibiting sex-selective abortions (AZ, AR, IL, IN, KS, KY, MS, MO, NC, ND, OK, PA, SD, and TN).
- 9 states have prohibited abortions motivated by a child’s disability (AR, IN, KY, LA, MS, MO, ND, OH, and TN).
- The population of people with Down syndrome in the U.S. is estimated to be over 400,000.
- The 1964 Civil Rights Act and the laws of North Carolina protect against discrimination on the basis of race and disability.
- The Americans with Disabilities Act and numerous state laws prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of a “real or perceived physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities”. The ADA also states that it is illegal to “violently harm” a person because of a variety of protected traits, including Down syndrome.
- The Human Life Non-Discrimination Act enshrines this protection for people who have yet to be born.
REQUEST AN INTERVIEW OR COMMENT:
If you would like to discuss these clarifications further or schedule an interview with a representative from NC Values Coalition, we would love to hear from you! Please call or text us at 919-813-6490, or email us at [email protected].
NC VALUES:
Founded in 2011, the NC Values Coalition is a non-partisan, non-profit education and lobbying organization with a statewide grassroots network of North Carolinians who support and advocate for pro-family positions.
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Fulton v. Philadelphia Amicus Brief
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT:
The Constitution broadly guarantees liberty of religion and conscience to citizens and organizations who participate in public life according to their moral, ethical, and religious convictions. It is not quarantined inside the walls of a church sanctuary. But anti- discrimination laws and policies are increasingly deployed as a weapon attacking traditional religious doctrines about the nature of marriage and sexuality. This discriminatory approach cuts against the very values anti-discrimination laws are enacted to promote—tolerance, diversity, inclusion, equality. Organizations like Catholic Social Services (“CSS”) are excluded from full participation in the public square while the government compels uniformity of thought on controversial social issues. The resulting inequality is alarming.
This Court needs to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to religious liberty by reexamining its ruling in Emp’t Div. v. Smith, 494 U.S. 872 (1990). Religious neutrality is lacking where anti- discrimination laws protect categories defined by conduct that many faith traditions consider immoral. Smith falls short of protecting conscientious objectors and even religious organizations unless the political branches craft exemptions. Moreover, Smith departed from this Court’s longstanding Free Exercise jurisprudence and its time-honored role in protecting religious minorities from majoritarian oppression—the very purpose of the Bill of Rights.
👣The Human Life Non-Discrimination Act
The Human Life Non-Discrimination Act (HB453) prohibits abortions based on race and/or the prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome. “All babies−born and unborn− have intrinsic dignity and worth and should be protected from the practice of eugenic abortion in North Carolina,” according to Primary Bill Sponsor, Representative Pat McElraft.
On June 10th, 2021, the NC Senate joined the House in passing the Human Life Non-Discrimination Act (HB453). It now heads to Governor Cooper's desk before it can become law.
We have been so grateful for the role all of you have played in getting the bill this far. Would you consider joining us in praying that governor Cooper will sign this bill into law, and that if he doesn’t, our legislators will be encouraged to stand strong and override his veto?
If you're grateful to the Republicans and Democrats who voted for the Human Life Non-Discrimination Act (HB453), would you take a minute to send them a quick thank you with our click-to-contact tool?
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Mississippi Department of Health v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT:
In Planned Parenthood v. Casey, a key passage asserted that “[t]he ability of women to participate equally in the economic and social life of the Nation has been facilitated by their ability to control their reproductive lives.” 505 U.S. 833, 856 (1992). The dissenting justices were right when they concluded it is “dubious to suggest” that women have made progress only “in reliance upon Roe” rather than their own “determination to obtain higher education and compete with men in the job market,” in conjunction with “society’s increasing recognition of their ability to fill positions that were previously thought to be reserved for men.” Id. at 956-957 (Rehnquist, C.J., dissenting). The time has come to expose the “social equality fallacy” that demeans the ability and contributions of women by presupposing they can only achieve equality through the “right” to abortion. Great progress has been made toward the goal of gender equality in the decades since Roe and Casey—independent of access to abortion or contraception.
As one commentator observed nearly three decades ago, “it is an offensive and sexist notion that women must deny what makes them unique as women (their ability to conceive and bear children), in order to be treated ‘equally’ with (or by) men.” Paul Benjamin Linton, Planned Parenthood v. Casey: The Flight From Reason in the Supreme Court, 13 St. Louis U. Pub. L. Rev. 15, 46 (1993). Equality is truly possible only “when women can affirm what makes them unique as women and still be treated fairly by the law and society.” Id.; see also David Smolin, The Jurisprudence of Privacy in a Splintered Supreme Court, 75 Marquette L. Rev. 975, 1001-13 (Summer 1992).
Justice Blackmun, the primary author of this Court’s opinion in Roe v. Wade, has perpetuated the myth that abortion is necessary to gender equality. His commentary runs like a dark thread through case law, including Roe, Webster, and Casey, degrading the unique role of women in reproduction. Sadly, his derogatory view of women has been echoed by others over decades of abortion litigation. In Roe, he maligned motherhood by complaining that “[m]aternity, or additional offspring, may force upon the woman a distressful life and future.” Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113, 153 (1973). In Webster, this Court upheld a Missouri law that prohibited use of public services and funds for abortion and left intact a preamble affirming the protectable rights of unborn children to life, health, and well-being. Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, 492 U.S. 490, 506 (1989). But Blackmun’s dissent characterizes the plurality as “oblivious or insensitive” to the abortion right he presumed “ha[d] become vital to the full participation of women in the economic and political walks of American life.” Id. at 557 (Blackmun, J., dissenting). In Casey, Justice Blackmun reiterated the theme, arguing that restrictive abortion laws “implicate constitutional guarantees of gender equality” because they “deprive [a woman] of basic control over her life.” Casey, 505 U.S. at 928 (Blackmun, J., concurring in part, concurring in the judgment in part, and dissenting in part). He accuses the plurality of “clear[ing] the way again for the State to conscript a woman’s body and to force upon her a ‘distressful life and future.’” Id., citing Roe, 410 U.S. at 153. This paints a bleak, inaccurate picture of the role of women who conceive and bear children.
Urgent: Tell your Elon Officials to Oppose Anti-Religious Liberty SOGI Ordinances
We understand that Elon NC officials are considering expanding the town's nondiscrimination policy to include, among other things, “sexual orientation” and “gender identity” (SOGI). Following the expiration of HB142 and the state legislature’s failure to make its provision permanent, local governments across the state are considering local sexual orientation and gender identity ordinances that undermine religious liberty. Officials in cities such as Durham, Chapel Hill, and Greensboro have decided to enact such changes, despite the fact that these types of local ordinances violate the State Constitution as well as First Amendment protections in the Federal Constitution for freedom of religion, speech, association and conscience.
Every North Carolinian should be treated with dignity and respect and our laws should protect the constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of every citizen, no matter who they are. We should be free to associate with others and form organizations, businesses, and other groups around shared values and beliefs. However, SOGI laws coerce uniformity of thought and speech on beliefs about marriage, sex, and what it means to be male and female. Unfortunately, coercive SOGI laws undermine both fairness and freedom. Elon's proposed nondiscrimination policy would—instead of protecting the vulnerable—actually create conflicts, disputes and victims in unintended ways. Additionally, it fails to exempt churches, religious organizations, Christian schools, and people of faith.
Would you take a minute and use our click-to-contact tool to tell Elon officials to OPPOSE any anti-religious liberty SOGI policies and ordinances?