Or, "I oppose same-sex marriage, but . . . ." The candidates' statements on the decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court to require that the rights and responsibilities of marriage be conferred to same-sex couples.
Wesley Clark
As a society we should be looking for ways to bring us
together and as someone who supports the legal rights of all Americans
regardless of sexual-orientation, I appreciate today's decision. As
President, I would support giving gays and lesbians the legal rights
that married couples get.
If the Massachusetts legislature decides to legalize
same-sex marriages, it will be up to each state to decide whether those
marriages will be valid in their state - and that is a choice each
state, not the courts, will have to make.
My hope is that disagreements over this issue can be handled with tolerance and understanding.
Howard Dean
As Governor of Vermont, I was proud to sign the nation's
first law establishing civil unions for same-sex couples. Today, the
Massachusetts Court appears to have taken a similar approach to the
Vermont Supreme Court and its decision that led to our civil unions
law. One way or another, the state should afford same-sex couples equal
treatment under law in areas such as health insurance, hospital
visitation and inheritance rights.
There will be those who try to use the decision today to
divide Americans. Instead, this decision should be viewed as an
opportunity to affirm what binds us together -- a fundamental belief in
the equality of human beings, regardless of race, gender or sexual
orientation.
John Edwards
As I have long said, I believe gay and lesbian Americans
are entitled to equal respect and dignity under our laws. While I
personally do not support gay marriage, I recognize that different
states will address this in different ways, and I will oppose any
effort to pass an amendment to the United States Constitution in
response to the Massachusetts decision.
We are a nation comprised of men and women from all walks
of life. It is in our national character to provide equal opportunity
to all, and this is what unites our country, in laws and in shared
purpose. That is why today, we must also reach out to those individuals
who will try to exploit this decision to further divide our nation, and
ask them to refrain from that effort.
John Kerry
I have long believed that gay men and lesbians should be
assured equal protection and the same benefits - from health to
survivor benefits to hospital visitation - that all families deserve.
While I continue to oppose gay marriage, I believe that today's
decision calls on the Massachusetts state legislature to take action to
ensure equal protection for gay couples. These protections are long
over due.
Joe Lieberman
Although I am opposed to gay marriage, I have also long
believed that states have the right to adopt for themselves laws that
allow same-sex unions. I will oppose any attempts by the right wing to
change the Constitution in response to today's ruling, which would be
unnecessary and divisive.