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Mike Rounds on Civil Rights
Republican SD Governor
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Legal contracts for gay couples, but not marriage
Both Howie and Rounds oppose allowing same-sex couples to legally marry. "I think it's silly not to allow those kind of things," Howie said of letting same-sex couples file taxes jointly, have hospital visitation rights and other privileges currently
limited to married couples.Rounds, like Howie, said he believes "marriage is between a man and a woman." Beyond that, Rounds said romantic partners can enter into contracts to do things that already are legal but opposes changing the law to allow
same-sex couples privileges currently reserved for married couples.
"If two individuals, or 3 or 4 or 12 individuals, want to contract with one another, as long as those contracts are legal, I have no problem with those folks contracting with one
another to do what is a lawful activity," Rounds said. As to what constitutes a lawful contract, Rounds said the courts, not lawmakers, will decide. "We'll have opportunities in the future to address questions of what are legal contracts," Rounds said.
Source: Argus-Leader on 2014 South Dakota Senate race
, Aug 16, 2014
Marriage should be between a man and a woman
On Amendment “C” Define Marriage: “Personally, I will vote YES because I just simply believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman.”
Source: 2006 Gubernatorial website, roundsforgov.com, “Issues”
, Nov 7, 2006
No affirmative action in state contracts nor colleges
Q: Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity, or gender be taken into account in state agencies’ decisions on: Q: College and university admissions
A: No.
Q: Public employment
A: No.
Q: State contracting
A: No.
Source: 1998 SD State Legislative National Political Awareness Test
, Nov 1, 1998
Respect faith-based opposition to same-sex marriage.
Rounds co-sponsored respecting faith-based opposition to same-sex marriage
Congressional Summary: The First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) prohibits the federal government from taking discriminatory action against a person on the basis that such person believes or acts in accordance with a religious belief or moral conviction that:
- marriage is or should be recognized as the union of one man and one woman, or
- sexual relations are properly reserved to such a marriage.
Legal Argument Opposed: [Secular.org]: "The stated purpose of FADA is to protect the tax-exempt status, government contract, or any other federal benefit of those who do not comply with the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling. This act's true impact would allow for sweeping, taxpayer-funded discrimination against same-sex couples and their children--all under the guise of religious liberty. FADA would completely eviscerate the historic nondiscrimination Executive Order that President Obama signed last summer that prohibits federal contractors from
engaging in discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The First Amendment protects freedom of religion and freedom from religion, not the special privileges of the religiously affiliated at the expense of the fundamental rights of other Americans."Political Argument Opposed: [ACLU, July 20, 2015]: The House of Representatives & leading anti-LGBT organizations are pushing a bill--disingenuously titled the First Amendment Defense Act--that would open the door to unprecedented taxpayer-funded discrimination against LGBT people, single mothers, and unmarried couples. This bill would
- allow federal contractors, including those that provide homeless shelters or drug treatment programs, to turn away LGBT people
- permit a university to fire an unmarried teacher simply for becoming pregnant
- permit federal employees to refuse to process tax returns, visa applications, or Social Security checks for all married same-sex couples
Source: H.R.2802 16-HR2802 on Jun 17, 2015
Page last updated: Feb 27, 2022