Gay Republicans Denounce Kerry's Support For Missouri Amendment
Wed. August 11, 2004 12:00 AM
Washington DC -
The Log Cabin Republicans today called Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry to task for showing support for the recently-passed Missouri anti-gay marriage amendment.
"We are deeply disappointed that Senator Kerry has decided to play politics with the Constitutional process in Missouri. It is yet another example of a Kerry flip-flop," said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Patrick Guerriero.
Senator Kerry told the Los Angeles Times, in an article published on Friday, that he would have voted for the anti-gay Missouri Constitutional Amendment.
"What is Senator Kerry's message to gay and lesbian Americans?" asked Chris Barron, Political Director for Log Cabin Republicans. "His message seems pretty clear; Senator Kerry will support discriminatory amendments when it becomes politically expedient," continued Barron.
The Missouri amendment that Mr. Kerry and Mr. Edwards support is very different from the Massachusetts amendment that Kerry already backed. Unlike in Massachusetts, Missouri law already defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Additionally, unlike the Massachusetts amendment, the amendment in Missouri did not provide any protections, such as civil unions, for gay and lesbian couples.
"Senator Kerry's position before had been that he would only support an amendment that provides some protections for gay and lesbian families. He has flip-flopped once again and now supports a discriminatory amendment, without any protections, in a state where the law is already clear. This is an alarming departure from Senator Kerry's previous position," continued Barron.
Missouri has been identified as a key state in this Fall's election and candidates are campaigning heavily to win over Missourians who are traditionally viewed as barometer for the nation.
"We are deeply disappointed that Senator Kerry has decided to play politics with the Constitutional process in Missouri. It is yet another example of a Kerry flip-flop," said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Patrick Guerriero.
Senator Kerry told the Los Angeles Times, in an article published on Friday, that he would have voted for the anti-gay Missouri Constitutional Amendment.
"What is Senator Kerry's message to gay and lesbian Americans?" asked Chris Barron, Political Director for Log Cabin Republicans. "His message seems pretty clear; Senator Kerry will support discriminatory amendments when it becomes politically expedient," continued Barron.
The Missouri amendment that Mr. Kerry and Mr. Edwards support is very different from the Massachusetts amendment that Kerry already backed. Unlike in Massachusetts, Missouri law already defines marriage as between a man and a woman. Additionally, unlike the Massachusetts amendment, the amendment in Missouri did not provide any protections, such as civil unions, for gay and lesbian couples.
"Senator Kerry's position before had been that he would only support an amendment that provides some protections for gay and lesbian families. He has flip-flopped once again and now supports a discriminatory amendment, without any protections, in a state where the law is already clear. This is an alarming departure from Senator Kerry's previous position," continued Barron.
Missouri has been identified as a key state in this Fall's election and candidates are campaigning heavily to win over Missourians who are traditionally viewed as barometer for the nation.