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Same Sex Issues
Our Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 that prohibits giving recognition to same-sex marriages. The decision received widespread approval among American citizens at the time, with many citing morality and religion as the primary consideration behind their decision. Fast forward almost 15 years later, and a completely different picture emerges.
Most Americans have favored same-sex marriage since mid-2010. The latest Gallup poll on 29 May 2011 showed 53% of Americans saying same-sex marriage should be legalized with all the same rights as other marriages, vs. 45% saying it should not. Over the last 12 years, 21 states covering 130 million Americans chose some form of marriage equality: 7 have same-sex marriage (CT, DC, IA, MA, NH, NY, VT), 5 have civil union (DE, HI, IL, NJ, RI), and 9 have domestic partnership (CA, CO, MD, ME, NV, NM, OR, WA, WI). In 2012, legislators and/or citizens will vote on same-sex marriage in 7 states (ME, MD, MN, NH, NC, RI, WA).
With some high profile celebrity unions and marriages in the last couple of years, the issue is bound to be raised again in the run up, and it would be interesting to hear the position of our candidates on the matter.
With contributions from Mr. Ned Flaherty
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Declared 2012
Libertarian Presidential Candidate
Former Chair of the Libertarian Party of Texas
Roger Gary
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Gary Position on Same Sex Issues
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“Marriage should be a contact between individuals, not a stamp of approval from the government. As with other issues, the solution is not more government, but less.” Campaign Website
More on Gary
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Gingrich Position on Same Sex Issues
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• Gingrich opposes domestic partnership benefits for same-sex couples.
• He wants a constitutional amendment to protect the traditional family.
He believes that same sex couples should have some sort of legal rights so that they can leave their estates to their partners or visit them in the hospital.
• Gingrich believes that homosexuality is a sin.
• He thinks that same sex couples should not be able to adopt children.
• He thinks that gays and lesbians should be able to teach as there are many good and decent people who happen to be gay and children will encounter them in everyday life.
More on Gingrich
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Declared 2012
Libertarian Presidential Candidate
3-Tour Combat Vet, Philosopher and Law Student
RJ Harris
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Harris Position on Same Sex Issues
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The 1st and 9th Amendments protect citizen’s rights to marry whomever they choose. I will ensure that federal employees are not discriminated against based upon their gender or sexual orientation.
More on Harris
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Karger Position on Same Sex Issues
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An issue that is close to the heart of Karger, who is the first ever openly gay candidate for the presidency. His decade-long advocacy of gay rights began soon after he came out into the open with his sexuality in 2000.
Since then, Karger has been in the forefront of a number of skirmishes, with the most famous being his confrontation with the Utah-based Church of The Latter Day Saints, a Mormon church. Their conflict started when Karger discovered that the Church was secretly supporting and funding efforts aimed at influencing the statewide ballot over the amendment of Section 7.5 of the Declaration of Rights in the California Marriage Protection Act, which states, “only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.”
His entry into the race has ruffled many feathers, even from within his own party, as evidenced by a stinging email he received from fellow Republican, Iowan National Committee member, Steve Scheffler, which among others, contains,
“you and the radical homosexual community want to harass supporters of REAL marriage. I am the Republican National Committeeman for Iowa. As a private citizen and knowing literally thousands of caucus goers, I will work overtime to help ensure that your political aspirations are aborted right here in Iowa. Have you studied our past caucuses–you have NO chance here in Iowa!”
More on Karger
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Miller Position on Same Sex Issues
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• Miller believes that marriage is the union of one man and one woman.
More on Miller
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Declared 2012
Democratic Presidential Candidate
Current President of the United States
Barack Obama
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Obama Position on Same Sex Issues
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• All through his 2008 campaign, Barack Obama had been a staunch supporter of gay rights and had proved that stand by sponsoring legislation in the state of Illinois which aims to ban any discrimination which is based on the sexual orientation of a particular individual.
• Being a firm believer in gay equality, Barack Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which provides consideration for sexual orientation and gender identity. This is in response to a personal observation made by Obama that although many employers extend benefits to the families of their employees, there are some who still practice discrimination because of the sexual preference.
• However, Obama does not support same-sex marriage saying that it is an issue which should be decided by each of the states individually by taking into account their existing social conditions. While he opposes same-sex marriage, he supports civil unions between same-sex couples.
• Reacting to the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy of the military, Obama has taken the stance that the criteria for military service should be patriotism towards one's country, a sense of duty and responsibility and the willingness to serve in such a service. In such a situation, he is against the present policy of decommissioning soldiers on the basis of their sexual orientation as he feels that this is akin to going against the goals of national defense.
• Continuing his role as a protector of children, Obama believes that a healthy and loving home is the right of every child and should be granted to him irrespective of the sexual orientation of the parents.
• In January 2008, Obama addressed homophobia in the African-American community. He was speaking to 2,000 worshippers on the eve of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at one of the nations premier black churches, Atlantas Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King once preached. He stated, If we are honest with ourselves, we'll acknowledge that our own community has not always been true to Kings vision of a beloved community, we have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead of embracing them.
More on Obama
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Romney Position on Same Sex Issues
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• Mitt Romney has created and acquired a reputation for being the most conservative candidate in the 2008 Presidential elections not only by taking a tough stand against gay and lesbian marriage but also opposing most of their petitions seeking rights for these groups.
• Mitt Romney is against the idea of letting gays and lesbians serve actively in the US Military. In addition, he has said that he would not support over-turning the 'Don't ask, don't tell' legislation.
• Mitt Romney has openly opposed same-sex marriage saying that it is the family which forms the basic foundation of America and therefore, it needs to be built further, protected and strengthened instead of being redefined. To this effect, Romney has expressed support for the Federal Marriage Amendment which would modify the US Constitution and prohibit same-sex marriage.
• Mitt Romney has expressed opposition for civil unions as well saying that he would want to see marriage limited to being between a man and a woman. He said he would support neither but if asked to choose between same-sex marriage and a civil union, he would choose the latter as being a lesser evil.
• Opposing the Supreme Court judgment on the matter, Mitt Romney strongly feels that same sex marriage would destroy not only the culture of America but would also irreparably damage the education system and thereby children. Although he personally believes that Americans should be respectful of all people and their sexual orientation, the long standing institution of marriage should be upheld and respected as being the only acceptable norm.
• Romney frequently told Republican audiences that every child has a 'right to have a mother and father' but also acknowledged that same-sex couples have a 'legitimate interest' in adopting children.
More on Romney
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Snyder Position on Same Sex Issues
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Snyder’s view on homosexuality: “A man who presumes to know God’s will and wisdom takes a huge risk in judging his fellow man. The laws of men cannot exempt each other from the laws of God. Lust is born in everyone—it flows in different strengths and in different directions. When that desire flows in a sinful direction, the strength of that desire tests the strength of our will. Likewise, the strength of the voices that flow in my direction test my will to uphold what I believe is right—and I pity those who would judge me standing strong.”
Snyder believes that SSM is a plea for acceptance, nothing more. Any legal benefits of marriage can be duplicated through contracts. He does not support SSM.
More on Snyder
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Declared 2012
Libertarian Presidential Candidate
Libertarian Activist
R. Lee Wrights
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Wrights Position on Same Sex Issues
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Wrights wants to “stop the war on alternative lifestyles.”
“The issue of gay marriage is not about marriage at all. It is a civil rights issue. It is an issue of the rights of the individual being considered paramount in all legal matters. Marriage is an individual choice to be someone’s mate. It is another area of personal human endeavor that is none of the government’s business.
“Let me be clear: in the Lee Wrights Administration no unconstitutional law will be enforced. Should I be elected, the oath I will take as president, nearly the same oath I swore to when I enlisted in the United States Air Force, will bind me to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States …” I intend to live up to that oath. As president, I will not enforce any unconstitutional law, nor will I allow anyone in my administration to enforce unconstitutional laws.” – R. Lee Wrights, March 6, 2011.
More on Wrights
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Wuensche Position on Same Sex Issues
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• Vern Wuensche believes that same sex marriage should be banned.
• He believes that civil unions should not be allowed.
• He believes that adoption by gay couples should not be allowed.
• He believes that we should pass a Federal Marriage Amendment to the U. S. Constitution.
More on Wuensche
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