President Joe Biden awarded the same-sex marriage and abortion activist the Presidential Citizens Medal on Thursday.
Mary Bonauto, a lawyer and same-sex marriage activist who argued before the Supreme Court in Obergefell v. Hodges, which created a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, and Evan Wolfson, a leading activist against same-sex marriage. Included in 20 recipients of this prestigious award. It was announced at the White House on Thursday. Eleanor Smeal, who led a national pro-abortion campaign and routinely criticized the Catholic Church’s positions on abortion and sexuality, also received the award.
“The Presidential Citizen’s Medal is awarded to citizens of the United States who have demonstrated exemplary service to their country and fellow citizens,” the White House said in a statement. announcement said. “President Biden believes these Americans are bound by common sense and a dedication to serving others. This country is better because of their dedication and sacrifice.”
This medal is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive.
Smeal is president of the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF) and past president of the National Organization for Women, during which time she led the country’s first national anti-abortion movement in 1986. According to To FMF. She has helped fuel every major abortion protest movement since. (Related article: ‘Hijacked to facilitate child murder’: Liberal pastors ‘blessing’ blue state abortion clinics)
Despite being born into the Catholic faith, Smeal frequently criticized church teachings, implied that the church was misogynistic, and advocated for a change in the church’s stance on abortion and contraception.
“Because of my gender, I will forever be second class in the church,” Smir said after he was arrested during a protest at the Vatican embassy in 1987. According to to the Washington Post. “Because of my gender, I could have been sentenced to death at an early age,” she said, referring to the church’s contraceptive ban.
Smeal also criticized President George W. Bush for nominating Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court in 2005, calling the judge “far right” and saying the judge “has demonstrated hostility to women’s rights.” he claimed. According to To FMF. Smeal complained that there were too many Catholics on the court Alito was attending, and said that “representatives of other religions, not to mention non-believers, would be underrepresented.” According to To Catholic News Agency.
“Left-leaning corporate media likes to call President Biden a ‘devout’ Catholic, but Biden continues to undermine and attack the teachings that Catholics hold dear at every opportunity,” CatholicVote’s Vice President and Co-Founder Joshua Mercer told the Daily Caller News Foundation. “We believe all children are created in the image of God and cannot be aborted. Biden believes fetuses are disposable. Pro-abortion activist arrested at Vatican embassy Biden’s decision to celebrate is just the latest in a long line of reprehensible acts that violate our faith.”
U.S. President Joe Biden awards the Presidential National Medal of Honor to Evan Wolfson during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC, on January 2, 2025. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
The Catholic Church has long supported opposition to abortion and taught Christians to value human dignity and life from conception. The church also disapproves of same-sex marriage, upholding the belief that men and women are inherently different and that marriage is “naturally ordered toward true union and the generation of new life.” are. According to Attended the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Wolfson founded the gay marriage activist organization Freedom to Marry, led a national campaign to legalize the practice at the federal level, and fought numerous legal battles in its favor. According to To the freedom to marry.
Trump is not only a fascist (as his former chief of staff, secretary of defense, and generals have warned), he is Putin’s dream come true. Nothing would be more damaging to the United States (not to mention its allies) than President Trump once again following Putin’s orders in the White House.
— Evan Wolfson (@evanwolfson) October 24, 2024
“Evan Wolfson led the marriage equality movement, helping millions of people in all 50 states achieve the fundamental right to love, marry, and be themselves,” the Biden administration said in a statement. I did,” he said. “For 32 years, Evan Wolfson has worked with singular focus and unrelenting optimism to change not only the law but society, beginning with a visionary thesis in law school and developing a political vision for change.” It pioneered a strategy that continues to share its lessons with countless movements around the world.”
Prior to helping secure a national right to same-sex marriage, Bonauto was responsible for legalizing same-sex marriage in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine, the statement said. are. Bonauto is senior director At GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), we champion the cause of gender identity and sexuality. According to to the organization’s mission statement.
“Her efforts have united millions of families and forged a more perfect union,” Biden’s announcement said.
Bonauto also wrote an amicus brief in the Supreme Court case, criticizing Catholic Social Services’ stance on placing children with same-sex couples. court documents show.
Another recipient of the award is Nancy Landon Kassebaum, a passionate supporter of a woman’s right to choose, according to a press release.
Other honorees included military veterans, civil rights activists and public servants.
Despite claiming to be a devout Catholic, Biden has routinely defended abortion and same-sex marriage throughout his presidency. Church leaders have frequently criticized the president’s stance, including once refusing him Holy Communion in 2019. (Related: ‘A great sign of hope’: As Americans flock to Christianity, religious leaders are eyeing a ‘Fourth Great Awakening’)
In November, the president awarded former Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her “courage” and fearlessness in leading America to the “land of the free.” Richards oversaw at least 3.8 million abortions during his 12 years as president of the Family Planning Association.
Catholic votes will weigh against Democrats in the 2024 presidential election, with many rejecting Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ positions on abortion and same-sex marriage, making Harris’ presidency hostile to Christians I was worried that this might happen.
The White House did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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