Kerry’s 'Opposition' to Gay Marriage

Self | 2-25-04 | Always Right

[Always Right]

After the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruling imposing gay marriage against the will of the people and the legislature, John Kerry told reporters on May 5, 2002, “I personally believe the court is not right…I don't support marriage. I never have. That's my position.” Yesterday, after President Bush announced his support of a Constitution Amendment banning gay marriage, Kerry reiterated that position, "I oppose gay marriage. I also oppose President Bush's attempt to amend the Constitution to ban gay marriage,"

Just exactly how does Kerry ‘oppose’ gay marriage? Kerry opposes, at least for now, amending the US Constitution. Also, Kerry was one of only 14 Senators who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996, which would have banned federal recognition of gay marriage for the purpose of any federal benefits. In his opposition, Kerry went as far as calling the DOMA, "unconstitutional, unprecedented, unnecessary and mean-spirited bill," and compared the law to the 1960’s efforts in the south to criminalize interracial marriages.

Kerry has also attacked the federal efforts as an infringement on states rights. However, when Massachusetts tried to act on their own to ban gay marriage in 2002, Kerry signed a letter which stated, "We believe it would be a grave error for Massachusetts to enshrine in our Constitution a provision which would have such a negative effect on so many of our fellow residents."

So, Kerry is on record as believing a ban on gay marriage is not only bigoted and hateful, but is also 'unconstitutional' on the federal level and a ‘grave error’ on the state level. Just how exactly does Kerry oppose gay marriage, and which reported will be brave enough to ask the tough questions?

[Always Right]

Bump.