Bush Comes Out Against Gay Marriage: Feminists Continue Fight for Equal Marriage Rights

July 31, 2003

"George W. Bush talked out of both sides of his mouth yesterday when he touted his opposition to marriage rights for same-sex couples while also preaching the importance in 'our society to respect each individual, to welcome those with good hearts,'" said National Organization for Women (NOW) President Kim Gandy.

"While the Christian Coalition applauds Bush's 'courage' for saying that marriage should be defined as only between a woman and man, NOW condemns his lack of compassion," Gandy said. "Bush has essentially said that lesbians and gays should be tolerated, even while labeling them 'sinners,' but they still don't get equal rights. I've got news for you Bush: withholding basic rights is not tolerance."

"In reality mere tolerance is not enough," Gandy said. "As California Assembly member Jackie Goldberg told her legislative body in early June, 'I want your acceptance, but I don't need it. I need equal protection under the law.'" Heterosexual couples are afforded a number of legal protections and benefits through marriage, which are inaccessible to committed same-sex couples. Benefits of civil marriage include access to health care and medical decision making for your partner and your children; parenting rights; Social Security, taxation, inheritance and other government benefits; as well as the simple ability to pool resources to buy or transfer property without adverse tax treatment.

"Marriage is a legal issue, not an ideological playground. It's not about what you believe or don't believe--this is about what is fair and just," Gandy said. "Right-wing opposition to same-sex marriage is the new miscegenation. The civil rights movement of the 1960's fought for interracial couples to be able to marry--and they won. We're fighting for marriage rights again, this time for same-sex couples. And we, too, will win."

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