John F. Kerry's Position on

Same Sex Marriage: The issue of gay marriage has always existed in the homosexual community, but really came to the forefront of society in May of 2003 when various members of the House of Representatives introduced a resolution to regulate the definition of marriage as "the union of a man and a woman". This legislation was encouraged by President Bush and would have taken the power from the states. It would have also amended the Constitution, being the twenty-eighth amendment to the almost 250 year old document. In addition, gay marriage is generally defined as a legal union between two men or two women.

Description of candidate's position: Although Kerry has said numerous times that he does not support gay marriage, he has stated that he is for civil unions which would allow full benefits under the law. Included in these benefits would be- access to pensions, health insurance, family medical leave, bereavement leave, hospital visitation, survivor benefits, and other basic legal protections. Link Kerry also supports adoption rights for gay and lesbian couples.

Quotation from the candidate: "I would never reduce the happiness of any two people in life who find whatever way it is that they privately believe makes them happy and fulfills their needs and rewards them as human beings," said Kerry in an interview with a Portland news station. "I've been to a commitment ceremony when it was a commitment ceremony. Would I respect my daughter or my stepson or anyone who came to me and said, 'This is who I am'? Of course I would. I'd love them." link

Assessment of the Proposal:

Positive: "The chief effect of a Kerry victory would be less a matter of passing legislation than of changing the tone of public discourse about gays and lesbians," says Paul Varnell, a gay advocate and writer for the Chicago Free Press and the Independent Gay Forum and formerly head of the education committee of the Gay/Lesbian Union in DeKalb, Illinois, (link). "A Kerry administration would foster a friendlier political/social climate for us to continue our advocacy efforts. That is no small gain. We can achieve progress in public understanding more easily if our own government is not fighting us."

Negative: "The problems with all rosy scenarios of gay progress under Kerry are twofold. One is, despite Kerry's relatively friendly attitude, his seeming lack of zeal on gay issues. The other, more important, is that both the House and Senate are likely to remain in Republican hands. Even if Democrats regained the Senate, the House is virtually certain to remain Republican, blocking most gay-friendly legislation." Varnell also said in the same article linked above.

Comparison: Unlike Kerry, Bush not only opposes gay marriage, but civil unions of any kind. Bush also does not support adoption rights for gay and lesbians. Bush called for the amendment discussed above, and which Kerry did not participate in the vote of.

Link to Bush's issue page