The Supreme Court is on the verge of deciding some of the most momentous cases in recent times.  One of those cases involves whether the Constitutions require states to recognize as marriage relationships that have never been called such throughout history.  This attempted redefinition of society’s foundational institution has been advanced using much of the same language as the Civil Rights movements of the 20th century. 

 Are these things the same?  Is self-identification as being a homosexual the same as having a particular racial or ethnic heritage?  And if the Court rules against marriage, what is the appropriate response? 

 FRC has assembled an all-star panel of civil rights leaders to discuss these important topics and answer your questions about the relationship between race and human sexuality. 

 Deacon Keith Fournier 

Deacon Keith Fournier is the Founder and Chairman of the Common Good Foundation, Common Good Alliance and Real Common Good Pac. He is a member of the Catholic Clergy, a married Deacon of the Diocese of Richmond, Virginia, where he serves St. Stephen, Martyr Parish in Chesapeake, VA.

Deacon Fournier dedicated his ordained service, as he had dedicated his prior lay ministry, to helping fulfill the Priestly Prayer of Jesus, May They Be One. (John 17:21) He is especially known for his work at bringing Catholic, Evangelical, Protestant and Orthodox Christians into alliances aimed at spreading the Gospel and influencing the culture with the values informed by the classical Christian faith and helping to heal the wounds of division in the Body of Christ.

Fournier is a constitutional lawyer who has practiced law for thirty five years; much of that time focusing on Constitutional law and human rights concerns. He has appeared in numerous Appellate cases and made several appearances as co-counsel before the United Sates Supreme Court on Pro-life, Pro-Family and Religious Freedom constitutional cases. He currently serves as Special Counsel to Liberty Counsel and Chief Counsel to the Common Good Legal Defense Fund.

Fournier has had a wide and varied career in public policy, law, media, associational leadership, small business leadership and service to the academy. He is a widely recognized voice in both the Catholic and broader Christian community on contemporary issues at the intersection of faith and culture. He is the author of eight books and is currently writing his ninth entitled “Confessions of an Evangelical, Charismatic Catholic.” He is the Editor in Chief of Catholic Online and a senior contributing write for the Stream. 

Dr. Alveda King Dr. King currently serves as a Pastoral Associate and Director of African-American Outreach for Priests for Life and Gospel of Life Ministries. She is also a voice for the Silent No More Awareness Campaign, sharing her testimony of two abortions, God’s forgiveness, and healing. The daughter of the late civil rights activist Rev. A.D. King and his wife Naomi Barber King, Alveda grew up in the civil rights movement led by her uncle, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Her family home in Birmingham, Alabama, was bombed, as was her father’s church office in Louisville, Kentucky. Alveda was jailed during the open housing movement. She sees the prolife movement as a continuation of the civil rights struggle. Full bio

Hon. Ken Blackwell is the Senior Fellow for Family Empowerment at the Family Research Council. Full bio