Dear Friends:
In case you missed it, last week was a busy week in the news that featured several stories related to our core issues at Kansas Family Voice of New Mexico.
Religious Freedom – U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments in Case of Christian Baker
Last Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case of Colorado cake artist, Jack Phillips, who declined to create a custom wedding cake to celebrate a same-sex wedding. Although the couple easily obtained their rainbow-themed cake from another nearby cake artist, they filed a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, which ordered Jack to design wedding cakes that celebrate same-sex marriages if he continued to create wedding cakes. Jack is asking the Court to rule that the government oversteps its authority when it compels artists to use their expressive talents to celebrate events or express ideas that conflict with their religious beliefs. A decision is expected in the summer.
Family – Former Legislator Accused of Soliciting Sex in Exchange for Vote
Last Friday, longtime New Mexico lobbyist, Vanessa Alarid, was featured in a New York Times article detailing accounts of sexual harassment experienced by female lobbyists. In the article, Ms. Alarid says that former State Representative Tomas Garcia offered his vote on a bill she was supporting in exchange for sex. Ms. Alarid spurned the advance and Representative Garcia later voted against the measure in spite of supporting the bill in committee.
Life – U.S. Department of Justice to Investigate Fetal Tissue Procurement Violations
Last Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced their intent to investigate several criminal referrals regarding potential fetal tissue procurement violations at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Southwestern Women’s Options (SWO) abortion clinic. In June 2016, the House Select Investigative Panel on Infant Lives released a journal of notes from a lab technician employed by UNM detailing the harvesting of aborted babies and body parts from SWO, including baby brains to be used at a youth summer camp.
Friends – now, more than ever, we must “stand firm and take action” (Daniel 11:32) to preserve our freedoms and promote God’s design for family and life! At Kansas Family Voice of New Mexico, we are honored to be on the frontlines of this effort and we believe God has raised us up for such a time as this. However, we cannot do this alone.
We need you! We need your prayers. We need your engagement. And we need your financial support!
If you are on board, would you please consider doing three things for us today?
- Please pray for our year-end fundraising efforts.
- Please help us engage by forwarding this email/link to 5 friends.
- Please make a donation today and your gift will be DOUBLED!
Together, let’s be people who “do something” and move the ball forward for a New Mexico where God is honored, religious freedom flourishes, families thrive, and life is cherished!
Standing for the Family of Believers,
Vince Torres
President and Executive Director