News

President Bush's interview with Diane Sawyer

December 17, 2003

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans agree with President Bush that marriage issues should be governed by the states but express concern over his possible support of any anti-gay Constitutional amendment. In an interview with Diane Sawyer on Tuesday evening, President Bush said, "The position of this administration is that whatever legal arrangements people want to make, they're allowed to make, so long as it's embraced by the state or at the state level."

"While we are pleased that the President has clearly stated his support of states' rights, we are concerned that the President said he might support amending the United States Constitution," said Log Cabin executive director Patrick Guerriero. "Log Cabin has consistently and clearly opposed any effort to write discrimination into the United State Constitution. A November 2003 poll from the Pew Research Center found that a majority of Americans are opposed to amending the Constitution. Log Cabin urges the President to avoid a divisive culture war that will only divide the American family. As the nation embraces the holiday season, united in the war on terror and with an improving national economy, there is no need to divide Americans on social issues," added Guerriero.

"We absolutely agree with Vice President Cheney, and now President Bush, that these issues should be dealt with by the states. Conservatives have always believed in states having authority over these issues," said Guerriero. "The proposed Federal Marriage Amendment would not only ban civil recognition of gay families, it would also strip fundamental rights and responsibilities from those families. Supporting the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment is wrong, it is not necessary and would codify discrimination in our Constitution," concluded Guerriero.

Log Cabin believes in civil recognition of loving gay and lesbian couples in law-abiding, tax-paying committed relationships. This basic recognition will encourage stable families, offer tax fairness, insure inheritance rights and guarantee hospital visitation rights. Civil recognition will in no way interfere with religious traditions or religious freedom.