Tue. March 9, 2004
Miami, Florida -
"Marriage is safe in Florida," Gov. Jeb Bush declared on Tuesday, telling a travel industry conference that he will not support civil unions. Gay marriage is already illegal in the state.
Bush said the he supports his brother the President in a constitutional amendment to bar same-sex couples from marrying. Of civil unions, he said that he would veto any bill coming before him that would recognize gay and lesbian relationships.
Questioned by reporters as he left the University Center Club at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Bush said if same-sex couples want protections they should turn to civil law.
"My personal opinion is, if people are in a union - if a gay couple has made a lifetime commitment or a long-term commitment - there are ways for them to create a contractual arrangement that provides the benefits that they claim they can't get. There's nothing in the law that says someone can't provide money to their survivor."
The governor's stance flies in the face of a recent poll showing public support in Florida for civil unions and a rejection of an amendment to the US Constitution to prevent gay marriage.
The poll taken March 3-4 for the St. Petersburg Times and The Miami Herald last weekend said most Floridians oppose same-sex marriage but that 53 percent favor civil unions. It also found only 41 percent support in Florida for the constitutional amendment.
by Fidel Ortega
365Gay.com Newscenter
Miami Bureau
©365Gay.com® 2004
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