Last Thursday, in a move that seems to smack of pandering to certain interest groups, President Joe Biden issued Presidential Citizens Medals to a number of individuals known for their controversial advocacy for topics such as same-sex marriage and abortion. Notably amongst these recipients was Mary Bonauto, an attorney and activist who had her hand in the infamous Obergefell v. Hodges case. This is the case that determined a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, much to the dismay of traditionalist Americans. Evan Wolfson, a prominent figure in the push for gay marriage, was another such awardee.
Meanwhile, also found on the controversial shortlist was Eleanor Smeal, an individual who has spearheaded national campaigns promoting the divisive topic of abortion. In addition, Smeal is distinctly known for her open criticism of the Catholic Church on issues related to abortion and sexuality. Such an award from the offices of the presidency raises eyebrows, to say the least, given that the Presidential Citizens Medal is typically presented in honor of exemplary service to the country or fellow citizens.
It appears that the driving factor behind these awards, according to the Biden administration, is ‘common decency’ and ‘commitment to serving others’. One simply cannot miss how this thinly crafted guise completely forgets to acknowledge the contentious nature of these individuals’ contributions. There are a great deal of Americans who would argue against the belief that the works of Bonauto, Wolfson, and Smeal have done much to unite the nation.
Smeal holds the title of president for the Feminist Majority Foundation (FMF), and is a former president of the National Organization for Women, notorious for her leadership during the country’s first major pro-abortion protest in 1986. Smeal’s influence persists; she has been present at every significant abortion rally ever since. Despite her Catholic upbringing, Smeal seems to habitually question the Church’s principles, notably those related to womanhood, birth control, and abortion. This perceived antagonism towards religion surely doesn’t help to paint a picture of unity.
Famously known for his critique of the decision to nominate Justice Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court in 2005, Smeal labeled the judge as ‘far-right’, alleging a pattern of hostility towards women’s rights. Her comment appears to completely disregard the values held by many believers in religious teachings and in moral absolutes. The Catholic Church, maintaining a firm stance against abortion, teaches the significance of human dignity and life from conception. The Church also refrains from endorsing gay marriage based on the long-standing belief in the natural order of marriage leading to a genuine union and the generation of new life.
At the helm of the gay marriage movement was Evan Wolfson, the founder of the organization Freedom To Marry. Wolfson spearheaded the campaign to legalise same-sex marriage at the federal level, despite it running contrary to the values held by many Americans. His tireless legal feuds in support of his agenda have been well-documented.
Further inflating the narrative, the Biden Administration in its grand announcement credited Wolfson with helping millions across all fifty states gain ‘the fundamental right to love, marry, and be themselves’. But for many Americans, this so-called right directly contradicts deep-rooted beliefs in family values and structured societies. The question left begging is, was this truly an honor deserving of presidential acknowledgment?
In a similar vein, Mary Bonauto was heralded as a driving force behind the acceptance of gay marriage in Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine. As per the deduction for her award, Bonauto was credited for making ‘millions of families whole’ and achieving ‘a more perfect Union’. However, this contention pretty much disregards any consideration for the opposition and traditionalists who uphold the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.
Bonauto currently leads as a senior director at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD Law), which lobbies for gender identity and sexuality issues. Their cause, however noble it might seem to their followers, is a topic that remains highly debated, with a considerable number of Americans opposing their agenda.
Among the other award recipients was Nancy Landon Kassebaum, celebrated by Biden for her support for a women’s right to abortion. This, coupled with several others who are veterans, civil right advocates, and public servants, adds more color to the convoluted tapestry of awardees. The choice of these recipients by the Biden administration is clearly indicative of its failing to respect the diversity of views and values that truly make America great.
Throughout his time in office, Biden, a self-proclaimed devout Catholic, has consistently championed both gay marriage and abortion, much to the consternation of many Americans. His actions have been pointedly critiqued by Church leaders, with 2019 marked by a rare incident wherein he was denied communion due to his controversial beliefs.
The Catholic vote took a blow to the Democrats during the 2024 presidential election. Many voters rejected both Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris due to their alignment with pro-abortion and pro-gay marriage views. The fear that a Harris presidency would be inimical to Christians further drove away the Catholic vote, a factor the current administration continues to overlook.