The Human Rights Campaign sharply condemned President
Bush for endorsing a discriminatory amendment to the U.S. Constitution
that would ban marriage rights for same-sex couples.
"To use the Constitution to discriminate against our families is
un-American, shameful and divisive," said HRC President Cheryl Jacques.
"Constitutional amendments have historically served to expand liberty
and equality – such as giving women the right to vote. This amendment
would be the first to reinstate discrimination in our Constitution.
There is no doubt in my mind that the American people will see this as
an ugly and discriminatory game of politics. Americans remember the
president's promise to be a uniter, not a divider. Today, the president
has broken that promise."
According to an ABCNEWS/Washington Post survey in January, a solid
majority oppose an amendment barring marriage equality – 58 percent
think we should not amend the Constitution but instead let each state
should make its own laws on the issue. Also, key voting blocs – 59
percent of women, 52 percent of Republicans, 55 percent of those in the
South and 60 percent of independents – all say that this should be a
state issue.
"The President explained that if the existing Defense of Marriage Act
were to be found constitutional, it would still allow a state to enact
its own marriage laws. The president wants to prevent states from making
their own policy – this is hardly conservative and, in fact, quite
radical," added Jacques.
"The President said he wanted to proceed with kindness, good will and
decency – make no mistake, that is not possible. It is neither kind nor
descent to discriminate against Americans and deny them critical
rights," said Jacques. "Instead of pulling the country together to fight
terrorism and meet our common challenges, the President is now working
to divide the country with a long and bitter political fight over the
Constitution."
"The President keeps talking about protecting minority rights in Iraq.
What about those of us in his own country?" asked Jacques. "With his
approval ratings at an all-time low, this ploy is sure to backfire
against the President."
On the President's claims that he's "protecting" marriage, Jacques
added, "The only marriages under attack are those of same-sex couples
whom the President either wants to prevent from marrying or forcibly
divorce by nullifying existing marriages."
The only such proposal currently before Congress (H.J. Res. 56; S.J.
Res. 26) would not only deny marriage to same-sex couples but could also
deny any state legislature or electorate from ever voting to pass their
own state's domestic partnership, civil union or marriage laws. Under
the Federal Marriage Amendment, courts could be barred from enforcing
the legal protections that a legislature provides through civil union or
domestic partnership laws.
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