Topics in the News: Gay Rights
Jon Huntsman on Principles & Values
: Aug 11, 2011
If you love your country, you serve her
Q: You supported a stimulus package in 2009. In fact, you said the Obama stimulus package was not big enough. As governor, you signed onto a regional cap-and-trade market. You endorsed civil unions for same-sex couples. And you served as President
Obama's ambassador to China. Some people have suggested that maybe you're running for president in the wrong party.A: Chris, let me just say, I'm proud of my service to this country. If you love your country, you serve her.
During a time of war, during a time of economic hardship, when asked to serve your country in a sensitive position where you can actually bring a background to help your nation, I'm the kind of person who's going to stand up and do it, and
I'll take that philosophy to my grave. In terms of the stimulus you talked about, it was failed. And let me tell you what I talked about with respect to the stimulus. I talked about the need for more tax cuts in the stimulus. We didn't have enough of it.
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Source: Iowa Straw Poll 2011 GOP debate in Ames Iowa
Rick Santorum on Civil Rights
: Jun 13, 2011
Repeal Don't-Ask-Don't-Tell; punish behavior
Q: Now gays are allowed to serve openly in the military; would you leave that policy in place or would you try to change it back to "don't ask/don't tell"?BACHMANN: I would keep the "don't ask/don't tell" policy.
CAIN: Now that they have changed it,
I wouldn't create a distraction trying to turn it over as president.
PAUL: I would not work to overthrow it. We have to remember, rights don't come in groups. We shouldn't have gay rights. Rights come as individuals.
If we have this major debate going on, it would be behavior that would count, not the person who belongs to which group.
SANTORUM: The job of the United States military is to protect and defend the people of this country.
It is not for social experimentation. It should be repealed. And the commanders should have a system of discipline in place, as Ron Paul said, that punishes--that punishes bad behavior.
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Source: 2011 GOP primary debate in Manchester NH
Newt Gingrich on Civil Rights
: Jun 13, 2011
I helped author DOMA; if it fails, amend Constitution
Q: Are you a George W. Bush Republican, meaning a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, or a Dick Cheney Republican, that same sex marriage should be a state's decision?GINGRICH: I helped author the Defense of Marriage Act which the
Obama administration should be protecting in court. I think if that fails, you have no choice except a constitutional amendment.
SANTORUM: Constitutional amendment.
PAWLENTY: Constitutional amendment.
CAIN: State decision.
ROMNEY: Constitutional.
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Source: 2011 GOP primary debate in Manchester NH
Newt Gingrich on Civil Rights
: Jun 13, 2011
Stop forcing same-sex marriage on religious organizations
The campaign against religious symbols is only the tip of the iceberg. Consider the following:- In Nov. 2006, a student at Missouri State University studying to be a social worker was interrogated by school faculty and subsequently threatened with
expulsion when, after being required to lobby state legislators in favor of same-sex adoptions, she asked for an alternative assignment that did not violate her Christian beliefs.
- In Oct. 2009, Congress passed a "hate speech" law subjecting pastors an
other faith leaders to prosecution for preaching aspects of their faith that the state decides are "hate speech."
- A Methodist camp meeting association in New Jersey now faces civil rights charges after refusing now faces civil rights charges after
refusing a request to host a same-sex couple's "civil union ceremony" in its worship space.
- A young Christian photographer was fined nearly $7,000 in attorney's fees after she refused to photograph the "commitment ceremony" of a same-sex couple.
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Source: A Nation Like No Other, by Newt Gingrich, p. 87-88
Newt Gingrich on Civil Rights
: May 12, 2011
Helped oust Iowa justices who approved same-sex marriage
Gingrich has made gains among evangelical leaders--the result of aggressively cultivating relationships with influential national figures and local pastors in key nominating states.Last year, Gingrich helped secure seed money for a successful campaign
to oust three Iowa Supreme Court justices who approved same-sex marriage in the state.
Gingrich is now hoping his network of conservative Christian leaders will help him win over evangelical voters in Iowa and South Carolina.
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Source: Matea Gold and Tom Hamburger, Los Angeles Times
Jon Huntsman on Civil Rights
: May 11, 2011
Supports civil unions and other rights for same-sex couples
In the days after he was nominated as U.S. ambassador to China, congratulations poured in, including one from Bob Page, a North Carolina businessman. "I write to thank you for your leadership and outspoken support of civil legal recognition for same-sex
couples," wrote Page, who is raising twin sons he and his partner adopted from Vietnam. "I have been deeply offended by attempts to scapegoat gays and lesbians in an effort to turn out voters," Page wrote. "I appreciate more than I can say your
courageous recognition that this serves no productive purpose."The ambassador nominee jotted a handwritten note to Page, thanking him for his kind support. "Let's hope that someday--all people are seen as equal under the laws of our land.
With very best wishes--Jon."
Huntsman drew national attention in 2009 with his public support for civil unions and other rights for same-sex couples--a sharp break from the Republican orthodoxy, especially in conservative Utah.
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Source: Robert Gehrke in The Salt Lake Tribune
Mitt Romney on Civil Rights
: Mar 2, 2010
Marriage is not just quaint custom; recognize critical role
Proponents of same-sex marriage have attempted to characterize its opponents as being universally antigay. That has sometimes been an effective campaign tactic, but it is untrue. And because most Americans know it is untrue, same-sex marriage has
repeatedly been rejected by voters. For me and for many others, opposition to same-sex marriage stems from the strong conviction that the ideal setting in which to raise a child is in a home with both a mother and a father. Regardless of whether one's
opposition to same-sex marriage is rooted in religious beliefs or social considerations, the marriage relationship has been the cornerstone of the institution of family since the beginning of time. Marriage is not just a quaint social custom. It is
critical for the well-being of our children and therefore fundamental to the future strength of the nation. It's time for us to recognize its critical role and finally act to preserve it as the institution that nurtures and protects our next generation.
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Source: No Apology, by Mitt Romney, p.269
Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
: Nov 17, 2009
Respected court ruling allowing same-sex state benefits
I had been in office two weeks when the Alaska Supreme Court required us to offer health benefits to the same-sex partners of state employees.I support the traditional definition of marriage. One man & one woman to make a marriage. And I don't support
efforts that can lead to changing that definition.
But on this issue in Alaska, the court was the lawful interpreter of the state Constitution. The promise I had made when being sworn into office was to uphold the Constitution. That meant I would be
bound by the judiciary's ruling. So when conservatives in the legislature passed a bill that would prohibit state benefits for same-sex couples, the court ruled it unconstitutional, so I vetoed it.
A few angry lawmakers visited my office, outraged that
I hadn't bucked the court. A couple of them said I should have been willing to go to jail over the issue.
And if the people want to amend the Constitution via referendum, I told the lawmakers, they have the right to battle it out and do so.
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Source: Going Rogue, by Sarah Palin, p.143
Jon Huntsman on Civil Rights
: Aug 28, 2009
2008: agreed to extend some rights to gay people
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert said that discriminating against gay people shouldn't be illegal, although he would prefer that everyone be treated with respect. Herbert told reporters he doesn't believe sexual orientation should be a protected class in the way
that race, gender and religion are.In Utah, it is legal to fire someone for being gay or transgender. The gay rights advocacy group Equality Utah has been trying to change state law for several years but has been rebuffed by the Republican-controlled
Legislature. Last year, the group got then-Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s support for extending some rights to gay people, although none of the bills became law.
Huntsman resigned this month to become U.S. ambassador to China, leaving Herbert, who was
lieutenant governor, in charge until a special election in 2010. Both are Republican. Salt Lake City is considering an anti-discrimination ordinance, but conservative state lawmakers are eyeing passage of a law that would trump it.
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Source: Associated Press, "Gays aren't in protected class"
Mitt Romney on Abortion
: Aug 4, 2009
OpEd: baroque circumlocutions on evolving abortion stance
Romney had taken positions in Massachusetts that were anathema to the conservative base, particularly on abortion and gay rights. Running against Ted Kennedy in 1994, Romney had declared himself a supporter of a woman's right to
choose on abortion, and claimed he would do more for gay rights than Kennedy. Then he changed positions on abortion. A year before he launched his presidential candidacy, he tried to explain his evolving views to several Washington Post reporters.
[One columnist] who had grilled him that day later described his explanations as "baroque circumlocutions."The McCain campaign, sensing an opportunity to stop Romney even before he could get launched, stoked the story line that
Romney was a flip-flopper. A video of Romney from 1994 surfaced that showed him defending abortion rights. The nascent Romney campaign was overwhelmed by the barrage of criticism.
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Source: The Battle for America 2008, by Balz & Johnson, p.239
Mitt Romney on Principles & Values
: Aug 4, 2009
2008: Cast himself as a doer, not just a dreamer
Romney began the race with a balance sheet that included liabilities almost as great as his assets. He was a one-term governor from one of the most liberal states in the nation. He was a devout Mormon in a party whose evangelical wing viewed the
Mormon religion with something between skepticism and hostility. Romney had taken positions in Massachusetts that were anathema to the conservative base, particularly on abortion and gay rights.
Romney cast himself as a doer, not just a dreamer, who had managed large enterprises, and as an outsider who would shake up the capital. "I do not believe Washington can be transformed from within by a lifelong politician,"
he said. "There have been too many deals, too many favors, too many entanglements, and too little real-world experience managing, guiding, leading." If Republicans wanted competence, he would be that candidate.
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Source: The Battle for America 2008, by Balz & Johnson, p.239
Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
: Oct 2, 2008
Non-support of anything but traditional marriage
Q: Do you support, as they do in Alaska, granting same-sex benefits to couples?BIDEN: Absolutely positively. Absolutely no distinction from a legal standpoint between a same-sex and a heterosexual couple. That’s only fair.
Q: Would you support
expanding that beyond Alaska to the rest of the nation?
PALIN: Well, not if it goes closer and closer towards redefining the traditional definition of marriage between one man and one woman. And unfortunately that’s sometimes where those steps lead.
I don’t support defining marriage as anything but between one man and one woman, and I think through nuances we can go round and round about what that actually means. I’m being as straight up with Americans as I can in my non- support for anything but a
traditional definition of marriage.
Q: Let’s try to avoid nuance. Do you support gay marriage?
BIDEN: No. We do not support that. That is a decision to be able to be left to faiths.
PALIN: My answer is the same as his and it is that I do not.
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Source: 2008 Vice Presidential debate against Sen. Joe Biden
Joe Biden on Civil Rights
: Oct 2, 2008
No on gay marriage; yes on equal treatment
Q: Do you support, as they do in Alaska, granting same-sex benefits to couples?BIDEN: Absolutely positively. Absolutely no distinction from a legal standpoint between a same-sex and a heterosexual couple. Same-sex couples should be able to have
visitation rights in the hospitals, joint ownership of property, life insurance policies, etc. That’s only fair.
Q: Governor, would you support expanding that beyond Alaska to the rest of the nation?
PALIN: Well, not if it goes closer and closer
towards redefining the traditional definition of marriage between one man and one woman.
Q: Let’s try to avoid nuance. Do you support gay marriage?
BIDEN: No. Barack Obama nor I support redefining from a civil side what constitutes marriage.
We do not support that. That is basically the decision to be left to faiths and people who practice their faiths the determination what you call it.
PALIN: My answer is the same as his and it is that I do not.
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Source: 2008 Vice Presidential debate against Gov. Sarah Palin
Sarah Palin on Abortion
: Aug 30, 2008
Opposes embryonic stem cell research
According to an October 2006 profile in the Anchorage Daily News, Palin opposes stem cell research, physician-assisted suicide, and state health benefits for same-sex partners.
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Source: Boston Globe, “A valentine to evangelical base”, p. A12
Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
: Aug 29, 2008
Vetoed bill denying benefits to gays, as unconstitutional
Ms. Palin said she supported Alaska’s decision to amend its Constitution to ban same-sex marriage. But she used her first veto as governor to block a bill that would have prohibited the state from granting health benefits to same-sex partners of
public employees. Ms. Palin said she vetoed the bill because it was unconstitutional, but raised the possibility of amending the state Constitution so the ban could pass muster.
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Source: New York Times, pp. A1 & A10, “An Outsider Who Charms”
Barack Obama on Civil Rights
: Jul 2, 2008
Opposes CA Prop. 8, one-man-one-woman marriage
Presidential candidates can command instant national attention when they want it. But John McCain and Barack Obama each took a hushed approach to letting the world know where they stand on the California ballot measure to ban same-sex marriage.
The muted announcements--McCain supports the proposed ban, Obama opposes it--will have little if any bearing on the presidential contest in California, but the ramifications are serious elsewhere.
Obama first announced his opposition to the measure
only in response to media inquiries. He said the nation should recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans “with full equality under the law.”
Obama called the ballot measure “divisive and discriminatory” and concluded by
congratulating “all of you who have shown your love for each other by getting married these last few weeks.” Left unstated was that Obama has declined to endorse gay marriage, saying that civil unions would suffice to protect partners’ rights.
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Source: By Michael Finnegan and Cathleen Decker, Los Angeles Times
Rick Perry on Families & Children
: Feb 12, 2008
Free speech for "Coming Out Day" but not "Family Values"?
Recently in Oakland, California, a group of African American Christian women who are city government employees formed the Good News Employee Association. They defined their group as a "forum for people of Faith to express their views on the issues of the
day, with respect for the Natural Family, Marriage and Family Values." They posted their flier on an employee bulletin board after others had used the bulletin board to advertise "gay rights". They asked for formal approval to use the city's employee
e-mail system and bulletin board regularly, but were denied on the grounds that their flier would "promote harassment based on sexual orientation." Gay rights advocates employed by the city had used the communication system to promote "Happy Coming Out
Day," but the city's bureaucratic overseers deemed the words "marriage" and "family values" unacceptable. This is but one example of efforts to limit free speech and to curb values that have been central to the American experience for many decades.
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Source: On My Honor, by Gov. Rick Perry, p.155-156
Mitt Romney on Civil Rights
: Feb 5, 2008
GovWatch: 1994: Favored gays serving openly in military
Top Romney Flip Flops: #2. Gay Rights:In a 1994 letter to the Log Cabin Republicans, who advocate gay rights,
Romney said he was in favor of “gays and lesbians being able to serve openly and honestly” in the military. He now says it would be a mistake to interfere with the “don’t ask, don’t tell policy.”
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Source: GovWatch on 2008 campaign: “Top Ten Flip-Flops”
Ron Paul on Civil Rights
: Sep 17, 2007
No need for Marriage Amendment; DOMA is enough
Q: Will you support a federal marriage amendment, and what else will you do to protect the institution of marriage?A: I think the best thing the president can do is set a good example, and I would start with having been married
50 years, and proud of it. I believe, also, that I do not see any need for another constitutional amendment. I think we have fallen into a trap that we have to redefine marriage. We’re on the defensive, defining marriage. Why don’t you just tell them
to look it up in the dictionary, to find out what a marriage says? For federal legal purposes, the Defense of Marriage Act is proper. It takes care of all the problems. If you have to have rules and regulations, put it at the state level, like the
Constitution says. But you know, marriage only came about and getting licenses only came about in recent history for health reasons. Marriage is a church function. It’s not a state function. I don’t think you need a license to get married.
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Source: 2007 GOP Values Voter Presidential Debate
Ron Paul on Civil Rights
: Sep 17, 2007
First Amendment was written for controversial speech
Q: Many libertarians oppose laws against same-sex marriages, prostitution and illegal drugs. What is your view?A: If you believe in liberty, you are a libertarian. The best libertarians we’ve ever had in this country were our Founding Fathers.
They believed in civil liberties, economic liberties, and they believed in a non-intervention foreign policy.
But, the inference here about marriage, and prostitution, and drugs--they never addressed it. There’s no constitutional authority, to deal
with those problems. But there’s no prohibitions for the states to do it.
If you’re willing to use the strong arm of government to regulate things that are negative that you don’t like and you find abhorrent, you set the stage for regulating your
religion, your schools, and everything else.
The First Amendment wasn’t written to protect non-controversial speech. It was written to protect controversial speech, so we don’t lose our right to go to church and run our schools. This is key!
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Source: 2007 GOP Values Voter Presidential Debate
Barack Obama on Civil Rights
: Sep 6, 2007
Ok to expose 6-year-olds to gay couples; they know already
Q: Last year some parents of second graders in Lexington, Massachusetts, were outraged to learn their children’s teacher had read a story about same-sex marriage, about a prince who marries another prince.
Would you be comfortable having this story read to your children as part of their school curriculum?A: My 9-year-old and my 6-year-old are already aware that there are same-sex couples. And my wife and I have talked about it. And one of the things
I want to communicate to my children is not to be afraid of people who are different, and because there have been times in our history where I was considered different. And one of the things
I think the next president has to do is to stop fanning people’s fears.
Q: Have you sat down with your daughters to talk about same-sex marriage?
A: My wife has.
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Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College
Hillary Clinton on Civil Rights
: Sep 6, 2007
Telling kids about gay couples is parental discretion
Q: Last year some parents of second graders in Lexington, Massachusetts, were outraged to learn their children’s teacher had read a story about same-sex marriage, about a prince who marries another prince. Would you be comfortable having this story read
to your children as part of their school curriculum?A: With respect to your individual children, that is such a matter of parental discretion. I think that obviously it is better to try to work with your children, to help your children the many
differences that are in the world and to really respect other people and the choices that other people make, and that goes far beyond sexual orientation. So I think that this issue of gays and lesbians and their rights will remain an important one in
our country. Tomorrow we’re going to vote on the hate crimes bill. We haven’t been able to get it passed, and it is an important measure to send a message that we stand against hatred and divisiveness.
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Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College
Mitt Romney on Civil Rights
: Aug 31, 2007
1994: Gays ok in Boy Scouts
Here’s a brief review of Romney’s public record on gay rights in his 1994 campaign against Senator Edward Kennedy.- Supports federal legislation to prohibit discrimination in the workplace against homosexuals.
- Supports President
Clinton’s “don’t ask/don’t tell” policy for gays in the military.
- Says homosexuals should be allowed to participate in the Boy Scouts.
- Endorsed by the Massachusetts Log Cabin Republicans.
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Source: The Man, His Values, & His Vision, p. 58-59
Mitt Romney on Civil Rights
: Aug 31, 2007
2006: Marriage: I agree with 3000 years of recorded history
On December 14, 2006, Romney said in a National Review Online interview: “Like the vast majority of Americans, I’ve opposed same-sex marriage, but I’ve also opposed unjust discrimination against anyone, for racial or religious reasons, or for sexual
preference. Americans are a tolerant, generous, and kind people. We all oppose bigotry and disparagement. But the debate over same-sex marriage is not a debate over tolerance.
It is a debate about the purpose of the institution of marriage and it is a debate about activist judges who make up the law rather than interpret the law.“I agree with 3000 years of recorded history. I believe marriage is a sacred institution between
a man and a woman and I have been rock solid in my support of traditional marriage. Marriage is first and foremost about nurturing and developing children. It’s unfortunate that those who choose to defend the institution of marriage are often demonized.”
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Source: The Man, His Values, & His Vision, p. 60
Barack Obama on Civil Rights
: Aug 9, 2007
Legal rights for gays are conferred by state, not by church
Q: You have said in previous debates that it is up to individual religious denominations to decide whether or not to recognize same-sex marriage. What place does the church have in government-sanctioned civil marriages? A:
It is my strong belief that the government has to treat all citizens equally. I don’t think that the church should be making these determinations when it comes to legal rights conferred by the state.
I do think that individual denominations have the right to make their own decisions as to whether they recognize same sex couples. My denomination, United Church of Christ, does.
Other denominations may make a decision, and obviously, part of keeping a separation of churches and state is also to make sure that churches have the right to exercise their freedom of religion.
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Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues
Barack Obama on Civil Rights
: Aug 9, 2007
Gay marriage is less important that equal gay rights
Q: On the grounds of civil marriage, can you see to our community where [your stance of separating gay rights from the word “marriage”] comes across as sounding like “separate but equal”?A: Look, when my parents got married in 1961, it would have been
illegal for them to be married in a number of states in the South. So obviously, this is something that I understand intimately, it’s something that I care about. But if I were advising the civil rights movement back in 1961 about its approach to civil
rights, I would have probably said it’s less important that we focus on an anti-miscegenation law than we focus on a voting rights law and a non-discrimination and employment law and all the legal rights that are conferred by the state.
Now, it’s not for me to suggest that you shouldn’t be troubled by these issues. But my job as president is going to be to make sure that the legal rights that have consequences on a day to day basis for loving same sex couples all across the country.
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Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues
Hillary Clinton on Civil Rights
: Aug 9, 2007
Positive about civil unions, with full equality of benefits
Q: What is at the heart of your opposition to same-sex marriage? A: Well, I prefer to think of it as being very positive about civil unions. You know, it’s a personal position. How we get to full equality is the debate we’re having, & I am absolutely
in favor of civil unions with full equality of benefits, rights, and privileges. I want to proceed with equalizing federal benefits.
And I’ve also been a very strong supporter of letting the states maintain their jurisdiction over marriage.
I want to repeal Section 3 of DOMA, which stands in the way of the extension of benefits to people in committed, same-sex relationships. I will be very strongly in favor of doing that as president.
I don’t know that we could have defeated the Federal
Marriage Amendment if we had not had DOMA. I mean, that is something that, you know, has provided a great protection against what was clearly the Republican strategy, to just cynically use marriage as a political tool.
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Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues
Barack Obama on Jobs
: Aug 9, 2007
Chief co-sponsor of IL ENDA, against gay job discrimination
Q: A recent poll of young Americans show that 44% favor same-sex marriage compared to 28% of the older public. Now, you’re running as a candidate of change. But how can you run as a candidate of change when your stance on same-sex marriage is decidedly
old school?A: Oh, come on, now. There’s a reason why I was here first. It’s because I’ve got a track record of working on these issues. If people are interested at the federal level, they can look at who was the chief co-sponsor of
Illinois’ version of ENDA [the Employment Non-Discrimination Acts, focusing on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation], which we passed. If people are interested in my stance on these issues, I’ve got a track record of working with the
LGBT community. What I have focused on and what I will continue to focus on is making sure that the rights that are provided by the federal government and the state governments and local governments are ones that are provided to everybody.
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Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues
Barack Obama on Civil Rights
: Jul 23, 2007
Let each denominations decide on recognizing gay marriage
Q: The laws banning interracial marriage were ruled unconstitutional in 1967. What is the difference between a ban on interracial marriage and a ban on gay marriage?A: We’ve got to make sure that everybody is equal under the law.
And the civil unions that I proposed would be equivalent in terms of making sure that all the rights that are conferred by the state are equal for same-sex couples as well as for heterosexual couples.
Now, with respect to marriage, it’s my belief that it’s up to the individual denominations to make a decision as to whether they want to recognize marriage or not.
But in terms of, you know, the rights of people to transfer property, to have hospital visitation, all those critical civil rights that are conferred by our government, those should be equal.
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Source: 2007 YouTube Democratic Primary debate, Charleston SC
Hillary Clinton on Civil Rights
: Jul 18, 2007
Supports DOMA, which Bill Clinton signed
Hillary stated categorically that she opposed legalizing same-sex marriage. She provided a clear explanation that to this day is the most quoted statement enunciating her position. “Marriage has historic, religious,
and moral content that goes back to the beginning of time, and I think a marriage is as a marriage has always been, between a man and a woman.
But I also believe that people in committed gay marriages, as they believe them to be, should be given rights under the law that recognize and respect their relationship.“
Hillary said she backed her husband’s signing of the Defense of Marriage Act. She said what everyone wanted to know: Yes, if she had been in the Senate in 1996, she would have supported the law.
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Source: God and Hillary Clinton, by Paul Kengor, p.189-190
Barack Obama on Civil Rights
: Mar 27, 2007
Opposed 1996 Illinois DOMA bill
I opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor. I will appeal any proposal to amend the U.S. constitution to ban gays and lesbians from marrying.
I know how important the issue of equal rights is to the LGBT community. I share your sense of urgency.
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Source: In His Own Words, edited by Lisa Rogak, p. 52
Ron Paul on Crime
: Jan 22, 2007
Opposes the death penalty
He opposes the death penalty and abortion, and is strongly opposed to a military draft. He has voted against amending the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage and also against an amendment to prohibit flag-burning.
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Source: SourceWatch.org
Ron Paul on Tax Reform
: Jan 22, 2007
Campaign slogan in 2004: The Taxpayers’ Best Friend
He supports the abolition of the income tax, most Cabinet departments, and the Federal Reserve. He also endorses a non-interventionist foreign policy and defederalization of the healthcare system. He has voted against amending the US Constitution to
ban same-sex marriage and also against an amendment to prohibit flag-burning. Paul’s campaign slogan for 2004 was “The Taxpayers’ Best Friend!,” and he has earned praise from the National Taxpayers Union and the National Federation of Independent Busines
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Source: SourceWatch.org
Mitt Romney on Civil Rights
: Jan 1, 2007
Marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman
I took a stand against the Massachusetts supreme-court ruling on same-sex marriage. I have made clear since 2003, when the supreme court of Massachusetts redefined marriage by fiat, that my unwavering advocacy for traditional marriage stands side by side
with a tolerance and respect for all Americans.Like the vast majority of Americans, I’ve opposed same-sex marriage, but I’ve also opposed unjust discrimination against anyone. The debate over same-sex marriage is not a debate over tolerance.
It is a debate about the purpose of the institution of marriage and it is a debate about activist judges who make up the law rather than interpret the law.
I agree with 3,000 years of recorded history. I believe marriage is a sacred institution between
a man and a woman and I have been rock solid in my support of traditional marriage. Marriage is first and foremost about nurturing and developing children. It’s unfortunate that those who choose to defend the institution of marriage are often demonized.
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Source: RSLevinson.com “All Things Queer”, review of 2008 gay issues
Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
: Nov 3, 2006
Special legislative session on same-sex health benefits
Asked about Gov. Frank Murkowski’s call for a special legislative session on same-sex health benefits, Knowles said the session is unnecessary.
But Palin said the question was not simply about health care benefits, it was an extension of voters’ definition of marriage as between a man and a woman.
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Source: Alaska 2006 Governor Debate: AP coverage of public TV debate
Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
: Aug 6, 2006
Ok to deny benefits to homosexual couples
Here’s what Sarah Palin has to say about same-sex marriage. Palin said she’s not out to judge anyone and has good friends who are gay, but that she supported the 1998 constitutional amendment. Elected officials can’t defy the court when it comes to
how rights are applied, she said, but she would support a ballot question that would deny benefits to homosexual couples. “I believe that honoring the family structure is that important,” Palin said. She said she doesn’t know if people choose to be gay.
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Source: Anchorage Daily News, “Little play,” by K. Hopkins
Sarah Palin on Civil Rights
: Jul 31, 2006
No spousal benefits for same-sex couples
Q: Do you support the Alaska Supreme Court’s ruling that spousal benefits for state employees should be given to same-sex couples?
A: No, I believe spousal benefits are reserved for married citizens as defined in our constitution.
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Source: Eagle Forum 2006 Gubernatorial Candidate Questionnaire
Mitt Romney on Civil Rights
: Nov 19, 2005
Put gay marriage ban into GOP party platform
Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey endorsed a proposed gay-marriage ban, but said the state Republican Party should not change its platform to call for a ban because Republicans are split on the issue.
Currently, the state party platform does not mention same-sex marriage or voter initiatives. By contrast, the Republican National Committee platform supports President Bush’s call for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
Romney suggested that the GOP put language in the platform endorsing a voter referendum on certain issues [like gay marriage].
The state Democratic Party has voted to endorse gay marriage in its platform.
The national Democratic Party does not go that far, but calls for equal benefits for gay couples and condemns a nationwide constitutional ban on gay marriage
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Source: Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe
Herman Cain on Civil Rights
: Jun 14, 2005
If you believe in Bible, same-sex marriage is moot point
The issue of same-sex marriage was a hot issue in 2004. Eleven states featured ballot initiatives that asked voters if they support a ban on legalizing same-sex unions. The initiatives passed overwhelmingly in all 11 states.My pastor had a reply ready
to those in his congregation who asked him his position on the same-sex marriage issue:"What part of the Bible do you want to throw out?" If you believe in the Bible, then the issue is a moot point. We cannot separate this "civil rights issue," as the
Democrats call it, from the moral issue. There is a tendency among liberals to lower a moral standard to accommodate a civil behavior. The difference between the civil rights struggle and the so-called gay struggle is that the civil rights struggle
constantly moved this nation upward to live up to the ideal that "All men are created equal, endowed by their Creator." The gay rights struggle involves altering the established moral principle of marriage as the union between one man and one woman.
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Source: They Think You're Stupid, by Herman Cain, p. 89-90
Herman Cain on Civil Rights
: Feb 1, 2002
Amendment to protect the sacred institution of marriage
[Reacting to a ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Court that allowed for same-sex marriage]: The courts have failed the American people. Congress needs to enact a constitutional amendment to protect the sacred institution of marriage. Liberal-minded
judges have opened a floodgate of judicial tyranny that will chip away at the core values of this country until nothing sacred is left! It started with not allowing prayer in schools, not being able to display the Ten Commandments, attempting to take
God out of the Pledge of Allegiance and now making same-sex marriages legal.A constitutional amendment is needed to protect the definition of marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman. If we don't act now all states could be forced to accep
same-sex marriages performed in Massachusetts. We cannot allow this to happen! The long-term effects will further destroy the moral fabric of our society. Congress needs to take action on instituting a constitutional amendment to defend marriage now.
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Source: Herman's Column Archive, North Star Writer's Group
Barack Obama on Civil Rights
: Jul 2, 1998
Include sexual orientation in anti-discrimination laws
Q: Do you believe that the Illinois government should include sexual orientation in Illinois’ anti-discrimination laws? A: Yes.
Q: Do you believe that the Illinois government should recognize same-sex marriages?
A: Undecided
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Source: 1998 IL State Legislative National Political Awareness Test
Ron Paul on Civil Rights
: Dec 31, 1987
Rights belong only to individuals, not collective groups
After 200 years, the constitutional protection of the right of the individual to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness is virtually gone.Today’s current terminology describing rights reflects this sad change.
It is commonplace for politicians and those desiring special privileges to refer to: black rights, Hispanic rights, handicap rights, employee rights, student rights, minority rights, women’s rights, gay rights, children’s rights, student rights,
Asian-American rights, Jewish rights, AIDS victims’ rights, poverty rights, homeless rights, etc.
Unless all the terms are dropped & we recognize that only an individual has rights, the solution to the mess in which we find ourselves will not be found.
The longer we lack of definition of rights, the worse the economic and social problems will be.
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Source: Freedom Under Siege, by Ron Paul, p. 14-15
Page last updated: Nov 13, 2011