Top 10 Accomplishments in 2008
1. Family Watch worked at the UN to defend the family against threats that are not well known to most people. For example, we promoted the development of and encouraged support for an important “counterstatement” at the United Nations that was signed by 60 UN member states and was presented to the UN General Assembly. This statement counteracted a European-led statement that called upon nations to protect behaviors related to homosexuality and transgenderism as “international human rights.” The counterstatement clearly showed that there is no international consensus on “sexual orientation” (homosexuality) and “gender identity” (transgenderism) and challenged the claim that certain existing UN treaties now binding on signatory nations already require countries to promote and protect homosexual and transgender behaviors.
2. Family Watch uncovered a subtle plan by a group of activists at a UN conference on HIV/AIDS to deceive UN delegates into endorsing a document that promoted abortion, same-sex marriage and homosexuality. We must be vigilant to ensure this document is not recognized in a future binding UN document.
3. We helped stop the formation of a new UN super office focusing on “women’s issues” that would have had a multimillion dollar budget and likely would have been used only to promote abortion worldwide and other elements of the radical feminist agenda. We know the creation of this office will be proposed again.
4. Family Watch organized and officially launched the “Family Rights Caucus” at the UN and held a panel discussion on the benefits of protecting the family and man/woman marriage in public policy.
5. Family Watch made a significant presentation at the UN on the importance and success of HIV/AIDS abstinence education.
6. We presented our award-winning documentary, “The Best Interest of the Child,” at the UN with many official UN delegates and people from across the world in attendance. This documentary promotes family-based care for orphans in their own country and policies that facilitate international adoption.
7. Family Watch organized a panel that debated and successfully defeated a policy that would have ensured protection for “gender identity” and “gender expression” in one of the largest U.S. districts of community colleges. If passed, among other problems it would have created, the proposed policy would have allowed not only “transsexuals” but literally any man to pose as a woman in college campus bathrooms and dressing rooms. Family Watch brought in experts, gave testimony, and presented research in a panel discussion to defeat the measure.
8. We actively worked to pass state constitutional marriage amendments in Arizona, Florida and California, contributing significant time, money and materials (including effective advocacy pieces) to help persuade voters to support the marriage amendments. For example, Family Watch member Pam Patterson was interviewed by the Sacramento Bee in California, and her family was featured in a front-page story because of their support for Proposition 8, the state marriage amendment. Quotes from the interview were picked up by numerous media sources including Time Magazine. Newsweek called the article the “low point” for the pro-same-sex marriage campaign.
9. Family Watch filed amicus briefs to provide data and opposing arguments in key cases that were brought to challenge laws protecting man/woman marriage in the United States.
10. We completed our new book, Stand for the Family, which will be used as a gathering, organizing and educational tool to empower pro-family advocates with important research, facts, and talking points to defend marriage and the family. It will be published in early 2009. This may prove to be our most important accomplishment ever!
