Family Life

03.20.12 | Sarah Harnisch

15-hundred conservative Christians flocked to Albany today for a political pep rally. It's the New York Family Research Foundation's Annual Legislative Day. Organizor Jason McGwire says "when the candidates see these are important issues, it causes them to highlight these issues in their campaign, and to have to remember who it is that is voting for them in the general election. We move the candidates in a direction that is more in line with Biblical values." One of the highlights of the event is the state's first-ever Evangelical straw poll. Christians polled will be picking who they'd like to see take on President Obama in the general election in the straw poll around 3 p.m. today.

Participants will be involved in grassroots lobbying efforts led by New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms. Constituents will be speaking with their representatives concerning:

• Support for equal access rights for houses of worship (S6087-A/A8800-A)
• Support for the "Unborn Victims of Violence Act" (S4347/A1673)
• Support for the "Education Investment Incentives Act" (S2732-A/A5081-A)
• Opposition to the "Bathroom Bill" (S6349/A5039)
• Opposition to the "Reproductive Health Act" (S2844/A6112)
• Opposition to casino gambling expansion (S6734/A9556).