Full Breakdown
New Campaign Seeks to Overturn Same-Sex Marriage Ruling
1/31/2026, 3:14:47 AM
Overview of the Greater Than Campaign
A coalition of conservative organizations has launched the "Greater Than" campaign, aiming to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage. The campaign, spearheaded by the advocacy group Them Before Us, includes notable supporters such as Focus on the Family, the American Family Association, and the Colson Center. The coalition asserts that legalizing same-sex marriage has negatively impacted children's rights, claiming that children need both a mother and a father for optimal development.
Campaign Goals and Strategies
The Greater Than campaign outlines three primary objectives: to develop a judicial strategy aimed at challenging Obergefell, to shift public opinion regarding the relationship between traditional marriage and child welfare, and to mobilize churches as advocates for children's rights. Katy Faust, the campaign's founder, emphasizes that the movement seeks to highlight children's needs over adult desires, stating, "Children are greater than equal."
Key Figures and Supporters
Prominent figures involved in the campaign include Al Mohler, a Southern Baptist influencer, and Oklahoma State Senator Dusty Deevers, who has introduced a resolution calling for the overturning of Obergefell. Justice Amy Coney Barrett has also commented on the reliance interests created by the same-sex marriage ruling, suggesting that overturning it could disrupt established family structures.
Criticism and Opposition
Critics of the campaign argue that its claims lack scientific support. Research indicates that children raised by same-sex couples fare as well as those raised by heterosexual couples. Opponents, including Brian Henderson of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, challenge the narrative that same-sex marriage harms children, urging campaign leaders to engage with families led by same-sex parents to understand their experiences. Additionally, some commentators have labeled the campaign as a repackaging of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, asserting that it does not genuinely prioritize children's welfare.
Official Statements and Responses
The campaign's messaging emphasizes that "children need, deserve, and have a right to their mother and father," framing the issue as one of child protection rather than discrimination against same-sex couples. Supporters argue that the redefinition of marriage has led to a societal neglect of children's rights, with Focus on the Family's president, Jim Daly, stating, "When the needs of children are neglected, it’s not just the children who suffer."
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
While the campaign claims that same-sex marriage has detrimental effects on children, there is a lack of empirical evidence to substantiate these assertions. Studies have consistently shown that children of same-sex couples thrive in comparable environments to those of heterosexual couples. This discrepancy raises questions about the motivations behind the campaign and the validity of its claims.
What's Next
The Greater Than campaign aims to mobilize support for legal challenges to Obergefell, hoping to persuade the Supreme Court to reconsider the ruling. As the campaign gains traction, it will likely continue to influence discussions surrounding marriage and family rights in the United States.
