|
365Gay.com
 |
Obama:
No Gay Marriage
From the
Web, October 30, 2007
|
| |
|
Cedar Rapids, Iowa -- Barack
Obama continues to meet with tough questioning on his positions on LGBT civil
rights and especially same-sex marriage.
In two appearances on Monday he said he still opposes same-sex marriage,
preferring civil unions for gays and lesbians. His position is the same as
the other Democratic frontrunners but the tone of the questioning is an
indication the fallout continues from Sunday's appearance at an Obama gospel
rally that featured outspoken "ex-gay" Donnie McClurkin. (story)
Both Obama events were in Iowa, where the issue of gay marriage is before the
state Supreme Court. Over the weekend religious conservatives urged
lawmakers to act if the court fails to uphold an existing so-called defense of
marriage law.
The first event was at Coe College and broadcast on MTV where the marriage issue
was raised by gay student Alex Lamb.
Obama said that he believed same-sex couples should have the same rights as
married couples but that their relationships should be called civil unions
rather than marriage.
He also said stressed the importance of his Christian faith, but said there has
to be a clear separation between church and state.
During a Democratic presidential candidates forum on Logo television in August
the other frontrunners -- Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and Bill Richardson --
also said they preferred civil unions. Only two Democratic candidates
support same-sex marriage -- Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel.
365Gay.com is owned by
Logo which in turn is a division of MTV Networks.
Obama and Clinton are running neck and neck in public opinion polls in Iowa.
Following the Coe College appearance Obama was questioned about same-sex
marriage during a campaign stop in Cedar Rapids.
Appearing at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, Abbi Swanson whose son is gay,
asked what he would do to give him the same rights as opposite-sex couples.
"You want the word marriage and I believe that the issue of marriage has become
so entangled -- the word marriage has become so entangled with religion -- that
it makes more sense for me as president, with that authority, to talk about the
civil rights that are conferred [with civil unions]" he told her.
Both Swanson and Lamb later told the Des Moines Register they were not satisfied
with Obama's position.
"I'm not completely satisfied that he's not for gay marriage ... but I'm happy
he does believe in equal rights for gay citizens," Lamb said.
Swanson told the paper, "There isn't an electable candidate out there that has
given me the answer I want, which is everything."
None of the Republican presidential candidates support same-sex marriage.
Monday in New Hampshire Fred Thompson seemed confused when asked about marriage
and civil unions.
|
