Thread: Bush says only heterosexuals can marry

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush indicated Wednesday he opposes extending marriage rights to homosexuals, saying he believes marriage "is between a man and a woman."

Bush said it is "important for society to welcome each individual," but administration lawyers are looking for some way to legally limit marriage to heterosexuals.

"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, and I think we ought to codify that one way or another," Bush told reporters at a White House news conference. "And we've got lawyers looking at the best way to do that."

Bush's comments drew praise from conservative groups, but criticism from gay rights advocates.

"The president has taken a courageous stand in favor of traditional marriage at a moment in American history when the courts are conspiring with anti-family extremists to undermine our nation's most vital institution," said the Rev. Louis Sheldon, chairman of the Traditional Values Coalition.

But a spokeswoman for a gay rights group faulted the president.

"We are very disappointed that the president is trying to further codify discrimination into law," said Winnie Stachelberg, political director of the Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest gay rights group.

Earlier this month, Bush said a constitutional amendment to block gay marriages might not be necessary, although the proposal has the support of Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tennessee.

The question of gay marriage has moved to the foreground of American politics after a U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that struck down state laws banning sodomy. Canada courts also have recently recognized gay marriages. In addition, the Massachusetts high court is expected to issue a ruling soon on whether the state can allow gay marriages.

The prospect has outraged religious conservatives, an important voting bloc in the Republican Party. And a recent CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll suggest the Supreme Court ruling has prompted a backlash: The number of people who have endorsed the idea that homosexual relations should be legal has dropped from 60 percent to 48 percent since the ruling, and only 40 percent of Americans say they now would support civil unions for homosexuals.

Even as he made it clear that he did not support the idea of gay marriage, Bush appeared to issue a call for tolerance.

"Yes, I am mindful that we're all sinners," the president said Wednesday when asked for his views on homosexuality. "And I caution those who may try to take the speck out of the neighbor's eye when they've got a log in their own."

"I think it's very important for our society to respect each individual, to welcome those with good hearts, to be a welcoming country," Bush added. "On the other hand, that does not mean that somebody like me needs to compromise on an issue such as marriage."

A number of states have passed laws forbidding gays from marrying or barring the recognition of a same-sex marriage performed in another state. The federal government's 1996 Defense of Marriage Act affirms that states are not required to recognize a same-sex marriage performed in another state.

The act also defines marriage as "a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife."



Am i the only one who thinks this is BS?? You can't help who you fall in love with!! I don't know what hes trying to stop because gay couples are just gonna live together instead of getting married. Thats JMO I have gay friends and this just irks me!

Originally posted by Mini
WASHINGTON (CNN)
"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman...

I beleive the same thing, but if someone wants to marry someone of the same sex, more power to them. It's not that I'm against it, it's just how I see marriage as God created it, between one man and one woman. I can't really explain how I feel as I'm sitting here typing it, it's all jumbled in my mind. But to me it seems really messed up that marriage should have to be what Bush "beleives" it should.

That's just messed up! You should be able to marry who ya wanna, not just who Bush thinks you should.

god made man for woman--adam and eve--not adam and steve!!

JMHO as a christian mother

ladybreaker

I AM PROUD OF PRESIDENT BUSH FOR STANDING UP FOR WHAT HE BELIEVES IN. NOT MANY PRESIDENTS HAVE DONE THAT. THEY GO WITH THE CROWD AS YOU WOULD SAY.

I AGREE WITH LADYBREAKER. ALSO.

IF GOD WANTED 2 MALES IN THE GARDEN HE WOULDVE MADE IT THAT WAY. INSTEAD HE MADE WOMAN.
JUST MY OPINION

So, because that's what YOU guys believe is right, then everyone should be forced by law to go along with it?

I think heterosexual marriage is natural, for me anyway. But that doesn't mean everyone should live the way I do. It should be the person's choice, not the governments, as to who they can marry.

For once I can agree with Bush. I am not religious, however I do believe that marriage was something started by religion. And most religions do not approve of same sex relationships. And I know that religion in the old days definatly did not appove of it. I don't think that they should be allowed to get married. That is a privilege that only a man and a woman should have. But if they still wanna shack up together fine. But drop the we have to be the same as everyone else thing because they will never be like everyone else.

A marriage doesn't have to be a religious ceremony. Mine wasn't, just a legal one.
But no matter what I feel is right for me, I shouldn't be able to impose my opinions on everyone else and/or force them to abide by them.

Originally posted by torahgirl2
That's exactly right. We shouldn't have to have the homosexual agenda imposed on us. We shouldn't have to be forced to recognize homosexual marriage as a real marriage. We shouldn't force businesses to give insurance coverage for homosexual marriages. We shouldn't force political correctness (actually perverted incorrectness) on people who don't believe its moral.

That's exactly right. We shouldn't impose those beliefs on anybody.

Ya know, 20 years ago, this would have been the same conversation people would have been having over interracial marriages. Now they are on the most part accepted in our society. So I figure 20 years from now, anyone thinking their is something wrong with gay marriages will be considered a neanderthal.

I personally think that this country was founded by God fearing men & women. Who built the United States of America with God included in everything from our money to our patriotic songs. Our forefathers meant for this to be one nation under GOD! We all believe so strongly in America, but the men who started this country would be rolling over in their graves I'm sure if they could see all the things that are going on now.

That being said, I think since we have changed our country from what it started out to be, to now a separation of church and state. That what does it matter anymore if they marry or not. I think it's wrong in the eye's of God, but now that God isn't a part of our government then they should have equal rights just like the rest of us. But they should keep it out of the church. IMHO it's a mockery when they have a church wedding. Now that's just my opinion.