Liberty Counsel

Maryland Legislators Stand Against LGBT Activists to Protect Children

Annapolis, Maryland - Late last week, Liberty Counsel’s defense of minors and their counselors won another victory when the Maryland House Health and Government Operations Committee cancelled a hearing on a change therapy ban. Earlier this year, a legislative committee in Virginia struck down a similar bill, and the Ninth Circuit ruled that California’s ban on change therapy will not go into effect until the High Court acts on Liberty Counsel’s petition to overturn such bans.

Virginia Judge Ignores “We the People” and Overturns Marriage Law

Norfolk, VA—Late yesterday, another activist judge appointed by President Obama ruled against Virginia’s marriage laws that affirm marriage as the union of one man and one woman, including the Virginia marriage amendment passed by the voters in 2006. Judge Arenda Wright Allen stated in her opinion: “Our nation's uneven but dogged journey toward truer and more meaningful freedoms for our citizens has brought us continually to a deeper understanding of the first three words in our Constitution: we the people. We the People have become a broader, more diverse family than once imagined. . . . We have arrived upon another moment in history when We the People become more inclusive, and our freedom more perfect.”

Kentucky Judge Strikes Down Part of State’s Marriage Law

Louisville, KY—Yesterday activist federal district Judge John G. Heyburn II ruled that Kentucky must recognize the “marriages” of four couples who were “married” in other states and Canada, and, in so doing, struck down part of Kentucky’s marriage law, including its constitutional marriage amendment passed by 74 percent of the voters in 2004. The marriage amendment stated: “Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Kentucky. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.”

Liberty Counsel Asks Supreme Court to Invalidate HHS Mandate

Washington, DC—Today, Liberty Counsel is filing an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in Sebelius v. Hobby Lobby Stores. “Ignoring the free exercise rights, the Obama administration has enacted regulations that compel employers to choose between their sincerely held religious beliefs or face enormous fines,” said Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.

Faith-Based and Policy Organizations Ask Congress to Stop IRS Censorship

Washington, DC - Faith-based and policy organizations are urging Congress to block the proposed IRS regulations on 501(c)4 organizations that will silence these organizations on policy and political issues and candidates.

U.S. Supreme Court Overrides Utah District Judge and Puts Same-Sex Marriages on Hold

Washington, DC—The United States Supreme Court halted same-sex marriages in Utah while a federal court of appeals considers the state’s appeal. On December 20, 2013, a district court judge ruled that the state’s one man, one woman definition of marriage was unconstitutional.

Obama Administration Defends HHS Mandate, Opposes Little Sisters of the Poor

“The Little Sisters of the Poor should be spending its time and resources helping the poor, not having to fight the Obama Administration over a clear-cut violation of its right to free exercise of religion,” says Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel.

Same-Sex Marriage Wildfire, End of Freedom or Beginning of Revolution?

Santa Fe, NM—Yesterday, the New Mexico Supreme Court voted unanimously to redefine marriage to include two men or two women. New Mexico joins 16 other states and the District of Columbia in allowing same-sex marriage, after Hawaii and Illinois passed similar laws last month.

Liberty Counsel Cries Foul, A&E Should Apologize

West Monroe, LA—Liberty Counsel stands behind Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson. “To fire someone because of his religious beliefs is outrageous and anti-American,” says Mat Staver, Founder and Chairman of Liberty Counsel. “A&E has pandered to the wrong group. The television network should apologize for censoring Phil Robertson. I am sure other cable networks would love to carry Duck Dynasty,” Staver says.

Federal Judge Opens the Door to Polygamy

Salt Lake City, UT—This summer when the Supreme Court struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act, Liberty Counsel warned that the decision would lead to polygamy and religious intolerance. Homosexual activists, such as the LGBT news magazine, the Advocate, called Liberty Counsel’s warning “erroneous” and “hyperbolic.” Just six short months later, that warning has become prophetic.

High Court Takes Up HHS Employer Abortion Mandate

Washington, D.C.—Today, the United States Supreme Court agreed to take up two cases involving challenges to the Obamacare Health and Human Services (HHS) mandate requiring employers to fund abortion-inducing drugs, sterilization, and contraception. The two cases include a claim brought by Hobby Lobby, where the federal court of appeals blocked the HHS mandate, and a claim brought by Conestoga Wood, in which a different federal court of appeals upheld the mandate.

President Obama Stacks the Court in Frightening Power Grab

Washington, DC—Today, Senator Harry Reid invoked the “nuclear option” on judicial nominations, not including nominations to the Supreme Court. Under the new rules change, a judicial nominee does not need to meet the 60-vote cloture threshold and can be confirmed by a simple majority vote.

Obama Omitting “God” in Gettysburg Address not Surprising

Washington, DC—Not only did President Obama snub the ceremony for the 150th anniversary of the Gettysburg Address today, he ignored and omitted the words “under God” in his rendition of President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, filmed by documentary filmmaker Ken Burns.

Public Schools “Celebrating” LGBT History Month

Washington, DC - What are your kids studying in school today? Public schools from California to Florida are celebrating LGBT History Month, where they highlight a homosexual or lesbian each day. Today, America’s school children are learning about Edward-turned-Gwen Araujo, who was intimate with men who allegedly beat him when they discovered that he was not a woman.

Pastors Rally Together to Fight San Antonio’s Discrimination of Christians

San Antonio, TX—Pastors from across San Antonio are joining together to oppose the city’s proposed amendments which add “sexual orientation” and “gender identity or expression” to the local ordinance. The definition of “sexual orientation” includes someone who is reportedly “asexual.” And “gender identity or expression” is merely a subjective mental thought disassociated from objective reality.

Governor Brown Signs Another Law That Will Harm Innocent Children

Sacramento, CA–Gov. Jerry Brown signed California’s new law allowing youth who self-identify as the opposite sex to use the restrooms and locker rooms of their choice. This absurdity is another example of the assault against young children by the radical Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) agenda.

Court of Appeals Orders a Stay on ObamaCare Appeal for Liberty University

Richmond, VA—The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals in Richmond, Virginia, issued an order to stay the mandate until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a petition for cert to be filed with the High Court by Liberty Counsel, on behalf of Liberty University and two private individuals. Liberty Counsel’s challenge to ObamaCare is the most comprehensive case pending, challenging (1) the employer mandate; (2) the abortion mandate for religious employers; (3) the abortion mandate for individuals; and (4) the entire law because tax bills must originate in the House. The case is Liberty University v. Lew (formerly called Liberty University v. Geithner).

Liberty Counsel Defends Religious Liberty in Supreme Court Amicus Brief

Washington, DC—Today, Liberty Counsel filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court on behalf of the Town of Greece, in upstate New York, which was sued for opening its town meetings in prayer. In our brief, Liberty Counsel asks the Supreme Court to overturn the “Lemon” test and adopt a new test, which provides that if a religious observance comports with history and ubiquity, and does not objectively coerce participation in a religious exercise or activity, then it would be deemed a permissible acknowledgment of religion, not a violation of the Establishment Clause.

Liberty University ObamaCare Case Not Moot As Department of Justice Claims

Washington, DC—In an apparent attempt to prevent pending litigation against ObamaCare reaching the Supreme Court before the 2014 elections, President Obama issued a statement on July 3, 2013, stating that the reporting requirements for employers who employ 50 or more people were suspended until 2015. On July 5, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a letter with the federal court of appeals in Richmond, Virginia, arguing that Liberty Counsel’s case of Liberty University v. Geithner was moot and should be dismissed. On the same day, Liberty Counsel filed a rebuttal to the DOJ, pointing out that it is not moot.

Marriage Decisions of Supreme Court and Ninth Circuit Undermine Rule of Law

Washington, DC—On June 26 the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 opinion that invoked “equal protection” when reviewing the Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), but not once did the Court engage in an equal protection analysis. The Court then dismissed the Prop 8 case on standing grounds. Friday afternoon California time, in a surprise move, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals lifted its stay of Prop 8, and the California Attorney General rushed to perform a “marriage” ceremony for the two plaintiffs in the Prop 8 case. The blatant lawlessness of these decisions and acts undermines the rule of law and the confidence of the people in the Judicial Branch.