Washington, D.C. -
LGBT advocates Wednesday condemned President George W. Bush's suggestion that he now supports a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.
In a Rose Garden briefing with reporters Bush, referring to gays as 'sinners', said White House lawyers are looking at legislation to prevent states and the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage.
Bush said the lawyers were looking a a formal definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman and I believe we ought to codify that one way or the other and we have lawyers looking at the best way to do that," the president said.
Calling America a "welcoming country" Bush said the country should not become polarized on the issue of homosexuality.
"I am mindful that we're all sinners and I caution those who may try to take a speck out of the neighbor's eye when they got a log in their own," he said. "I think it is important for our society to respect each individual, to welcome those with good hearts."
"On the other hand, that does not mean that someone like me needs to compromise on the issue of marriage," he added.
His stance is a reversal of a statement the White House released earlier this month in which the President said a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage "may not be needed." (365gay.com story) Bush said he wanted to wait to see how the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled on a challenge to that state's refusal to issue marriage licenses to gays and lesbians. (365gay.com story)
"We are extremely disappointed that the President of the United States is searching for ways to further codify discrimination into law," David Smith the senior strategist for the Human Rights campaign told 365Gay.com
"Furthermore," a clearly angry Smith said, "the president will need to explain why he does not believe the 'Defense of Marriage Act does not accomplish his stated goal."
GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, accused Bush of using religious themes and terminology as the basis for rhis stance.
"By saying he has charged government attorneys to explore ways to 'codify' the 'sanctity of marriage,' and through numerous biblical references in his discussion about this issue, the president is clearly signaling his conviction that his personal religious beliefs should be the basis for governing law," said GLAAD media director Cathy Renna.
"In a country where the separation of church and state is a founding principle, this mix of personal beliefs and his administration's public policy needs to be examined critically by the media."
Evan Wolfson, the executive director of Freedom to Marry, called Bush's remarks "shocking".
"Tellingly, the White House gave no good reason for this attack, no reason for trying to deny lesbian and gay Americans the responsibilities, protections, and support that civil marriage would bring to our families, and no reason why the federal government should be interfering in any American's access to civil marriage licenses from their own states," Wolfson told 365Gay.com.
"Marriage is a fundamental civil right, and while we respect religious differences of opinion on this issue, our country was founded on the principle," said Toni Broaddus, Equality California Program Director.
Martin Ornelas-Quintero of the National Latino LGBT Organization called the president's remarks "sad."
"Tolerance means equality under the law," Ornelas-Quintero said. "It means equal benefits for everyone, not just some."
"Love is not a sin," Ornelas-Quintero added, "and the president should not distort spiritual belief to support inequality. It's important that the state simply recognize same-sex couples in the same way that it recognizes opposite-sex couples. Religion is not a part of that."
The country's gay Democrats also attacked the religious fervor of Bush's remarks.
"President Bush has a responsibility to address the crises of inequality facing millions of American families, Dave Noble, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director told 365Gay.com.
"Rather than call us 'sinners' to appease his religious extremist base, he should be working to protect all families. That's what a real compassionate conservative would do."
Following the Supreme Court ruling striking down the Texas sodomy law in which the court said gays were protected under the 14th Amendment, the push to legalize gay marriage has gained momentum among gay activists.
Despite the federal Defense of Marriage Act, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution to block same-sex marriage.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo. has been referred to the House Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution.
To be added to the Constitution, the proposal must be approved by two-thirds of the House and the the Senate and ratified by three-fourths of the states.
by Paul Johnson
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau Chief
©365Gay.com® 2003
Post Your Take: Gay Marriage
In a Rose Garden briefing with reporters Bush, referring to gays as 'sinners', said White House lawyers are looking at legislation to prevent states and the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage.
Bush said the lawyers were looking a a formal definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman and I believe we ought to codify that one way or the other and we have lawyers looking at the best way to do that," the president said.
Calling America a "welcoming country" Bush said the country should not become polarized on the issue of homosexuality.
"I am mindful that we're all sinners and I caution those who may try to take a speck out of the neighbor's eye when they got a log in their own," he said. "I think it is important for our society to respect each individual, to welcome those with good hearts."
"On the other hand, that does not mean that someone like me needs to compromise on the issue of marriage," he added.
His stance is a reversal of a statement the White House released earlier this month in which the President said a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage "may not be needed." (365gay.com story) Bush said he wanted to wait to see how the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled on a challenge to that state's refusal to issue marriage licenses to gays and lesbians. (365gay.com story)
"We are extremely disappointed that the President of the United States is searching for ways to further codify discrimination into law," David Smith the senior strategist for the Human Rights campaign told 365Gay.com
"Furthermore," a clearly angry Smith said, "the president will need to explain why he does not believe the 'Defense of Marriage Act does not accomplish his stated goal."
GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, accused Bush of using religious themes and terminology as the basis for rhis stance.
"By saying he has charged government attorneys to explore ways to 'codify' the 'sanctity of marriage,' and through numerous biblical references in his discussion about this issue, the president is clearly signaling his conviction that his personal religious beliefs should be the basis for governing law," said GLAAD media director Cathy Renna.
"In a country where the separation of church and state is a founding principle, this mix of personal beliefs and his administration's public policy needs to be examined critically by the media."
Evan Wolfson, the executive director of Freedom to Marry, called Bush's remarks "shocking".
"Tellingly, the White House gave no good reason for this attack, no reason for trying to deny lesbian and gay Americans the responsibilities, protections, and support that civil marriage would bring to our families, and no reason why the federal government should be interfering in any American's access to civil marriage licenses from their own states," Wolfson told 365Gay.com.
"Marriage is a fundamental civil right, and while we respect religious differences of opinion on this issue, our country was founded on the principle," said Toni Broaddus, Equality California Program Director.
Martin Ornelas-Quintero of the National Latino LGBT Organization called the president's remarks "sad."
"Tolerance means equality under the law," Ornelas-Quintero said. "It means equal benefits for everyone, not just some."
"Love is not a sin," Ornelas-Quintero added, "and the president should not distort spiritual belief to support inequality. It's important that the state simply recognize same-sex couples in the same way that it recognizes opposite-sex couples. Religion is not a part of that."
The country's gay Democrats also attacked the religious fervor of Bush's remarks.
"President Bush has a responsibility to address the crises of inequality facing millions of American families, Dave Noble, National Stonewall Democrats Executive Director told 365Gay.com.
"Rather than call us 'sinners' to appease his religious extremist base, he should be working to protect all families. That's what a real compassionate conservative would do."
Following the Supreme Court ruling striking down the Texas sodomy law in which the court said gays were protected under the 14th Amendment, the push to legalize gay marriage has gained momentum among gay activists.
Despite the federal Defense of Marriage Act, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives to amend the Constitution to block same-sex marriage.
The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, R-Colo. has been referred to the House Judiciary subcommittee on the Constitution.
To be added to the Constitution, the proposal must be approved by two-thirds of the House and the the Senate and ratified by three-fourths of the states.
by Paul Johnson
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau Chief
©365Gay.com® 2003
Post Your Take: Gay Marriage
This article originally appeared on 365gay.com. Republished with permission.
