Last updated on September 18th, 2025 at 11:09 am
The assassination of Charlie Kirk was a political hit undertaken by someone who hated his views on important issues.
Sadly, this tragic event was predictable. If fact, we at the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) predicted many years ago that we would inevitably end up at this point.
Kirk’s outspoken opposition to transgender ideology had become among his most controversial positions on cultural issues. He also was a fierce defender of traditional marriage.
Charlie was shot immediately after he was asked at the rally to explain his position on transgender ideology. We’ll see as the investigation continues how this aspect of the hate the killer had toward Charlie’s views on issues contributed to his assassination.
Regardless of whatever twisted motivations the killer possessed, NOM was among the first to predict that this is where the left would end up – killing their opponents if they could not cancel them or pressure them into silence.
I have personally experienced their hate and threats, as have other members of NOM’s team.
Much of this hateful behavior began during the Proposition 8 campaign for marriage. Many of us working on that campaign had death threats. I was assaulted by a gay activist while putting up a “Yes on 8” yard sign. A volunteer at a church rally was similarly assaulted. The names and home addresses of donors were doxed and mashed up on a map, letting people know where to go to confront them. White powder thought to be anthrax was sent to prominent churches and faith groups. Supporters with “Yes on 8” bumper stickers had their cars damaged and windows smashed. Our campaign manager had to hire armed security guards to protect his staff from LGBT radicals who had stormed his office.
Tragically, these attacks were not condemned by the media or political leaders. In fact, they were excused as “understandable” because many elites considered opposing gay ‘marriage’ to be “mean.”
Since that time the attacks from the left have only escalated. Peaceful pro-lifers have been arrested and prosecuted for praying outside abortion facilities, their homes raided by armed agents at dawn. Moms who objected at school board meetings to their children be force-fed LGBT issues in class have been labeled “domestic terrorists.” Dad’s who objected to their daughters being confronted by biological males in restrooms have been forcefully cuffed and arrested when they objected. Christian creative professionals – bakers, clothing designers, florists, etc. – have been sued, fined and in some cases put out of business.
The examples of hate that I have faced are too numerous to mention. One of my small children was even approached – while in a stroller – and asked if she was being raised as “a good little bigot.”
Perhaps the most chilling example of hate from the left that I experienced was discovering that I was personally on the list of people that an assailant wanted to assassinate when he opened fire on people at the Family Research Council office in Washington.
This has got to end.
We cannot accept being silenced. We cannot allow the LGBT Lobby to pressure and target those who oppose their dangerous agenda. We cannot allow the lie of gay ‘marriage’ to remain in our laws and be deemed a constitutional “right.” We cannot allow transgender ideology to continue to fester. It must be rooted out. We cannot allow people of faith to continue to be punished for living out their beliefs.
The attacks on people of faith for holding firm to traditional values has played out in smaller ways, and in big. We’re labeled haters, homophobes, transphobes and deplorables. Many of us have had banks cancel our accounts. Personal attacks on social media are common. Media hits to our reputations are also common. Before Elon Musk came along, any post on social media risked getting your account suspended, or worse.
Again, this has got to end.
The assassination of Charle Kirk has brought into sharp focus the stakes of the cultural battle we are waging for the truth of marriage, gender, life, religious liberty and similar cultural issues. The left has tried to cancel us. For years there have been threats that we should die. Now they have actually killed one of our most inspiring leaders.
It is time for the conservative movement and people of faith to stand together to fight for what we know to be right. We must fight for marriage, life, religious liberty, the truth of gender, and similar issues that are crucial to a flourishing society and thriving families.
When someone on the left tries to disparage belief in traditional values and American ideals, we must push back – respectfully but firmly.
It is time for us to be more involved in political debate, not less; more involved in supporting worthy candidates and groups, not less; more involved in grassroots activism, not less; more involved in donating to worthy causes and candidates, not less; more expressing our views in public forums, not less; and more involved in prayer, not less.
In all of this we must take a Christ-like approach to our actions and communications. We must love our opponents, even as we disagree with them, but we must firmly communicate what we know in or hearts to be true.
We pray for Charlie’s widow and children that God will somehow give them comfort and peace during this unthinkable tragedy. We take comfort that both Charlie and his wife Erika have a deep Christian faith.
We also pray that this horrible tragedy awakens people all across America to the dangers we face as a nation from leftwing ideology that is increasingly unhinged.
NOM is committed to playing a key role in this new awakening. We invite you to join us.
Brian S. Brown is the President of both the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and the International Organization for the Family (IOF). He has for many years been one of America’s most prominent social conservatives. He may be reached at [email protected].
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