Quote:
Originally Posted by Josh
Obama isn't even really that liberal, he's liberal but not that liberal. He doesn't support same-sex marriage,
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Actually, you're only partially correct...Obama doesn't support same-sex marriage....But he does support same-sex civil unions...
This is from the 2008 Presidential Questionaire answered by Obama on this very question...
http://a4.g.akamai.net/f/4/19675/0/n...pdfs/obama.pdf
Quote:
Page 2-3
Question #6 (3 part question).
Currently only Massachusetts recognizes equal marriage rights for same sex couples. Do you believe the civil institute of marriage (with absolutely no requirements imposed on religious institutions) should be made legally available to two committed adults of the same sex?
*Support *Oppose Comments: (He highlighted 'opposed' and commented)
If you do not believe that civil marriage for same-sex couples should be made available to same-sex couples on the basis as opposite sex couples, is there any legal construct you do embrace that would extend legal recognition to the same sex couples?
"I believe civil unions should include the same legal rights that accompany a marriage license. I support the notion that all people-gay or straight-deserve the same rights and responsibilities to assist their loved ones in times of emergency, deserve equal health insurance, and other employment benefits currently extended to traditional married couples, and deserve the same property rights as anyone else.
However, I do not support gay marriage. Marriage has a religious and social connotations, and I consider marriage to be between a man and a woman. If I was Ppresident, however, I would oppose any effort to stifle a state's ability to decide this question on it's own. Whether it was a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage or a bill like the Defense of Marriage Act, I would oppose such efforts. I think the President should do all he or she can to advance strong families. Whatever the make-up of the family, it is the President's role to provide policies and leadership that enable the family to thrive."
If a state has taken the steps to recognize same sex couples and their families for purpose of state-based benefits, rights, privelages, and responsibilities (such as marriage in Massachusetts and civil unions in Vermont and Connecticut), should the federal goverment recognize the state's legal recognition of such couples and families for purposes of federal benefits and tax treatment.
*Support *Oppose Comment (he highlighted 'support')
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Like many Americans and even many within the LGBT communities, he's willing to settle for civil unions. Just reserve the term 'marriage' for hetrosexual marriages.
And vote wise, he did vote against an amendment stating 'marriage only between man and woman' when they tried to pass it in congress. He's not against same-sex couples having the same rights as married hetrosexual couples...He's just against the term 'marriage' being applied legally to those unions.
Further more, questions 7-10 also have to do with granting rights to same-sex couples on the issues of extending federal benefits, being included in the Family And Medical Leave Act, being included in SS survivor benefits, included in insurance/employment benefits, allowing adoption, and allowing citizenship to non-American same-sex spouses Obama highlighted 'Support' for all those allowances...
Hence the reason the LGBT communities are behind him and supporting him for President. And for a Presidential nominee to support all those instances, that's pretty darn liberal anyway you look at it. LOL!