Kerry Backed 'Gay' Marriage

Candidate says he's opposed but signed letter 2 years ago

February 11, 2004
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com

Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. John Kerry has declared opposition to same-sex marriage, but two years ago he signed a letter issued by homosexual Rep. Barney Frank urging Massachusetts state lawmakers to drop an amendment limiting nuptials to a man and a woman.

The Associated Press reported Kerry also opposed similar federal legislation in 1996, comparing it to 1960s efforts in the South to criminalize interracial marriage.

"This is an unconstitutional, unprecedented, unnecessary and mean-spirited bill," Kerry declared at the time.

He accused supporters of engaging in the "politics of division," but the federal bill was backed by 85 senators and Democratic President Bill Clinton.

The issue has arisen in the wake of the historic Massachusetts Supreme Court decision in November paving the way for the first legalization of homosexual marriage in the United States. Last Wednesday, the state high court told the state Senate in an advisory opinion same-sex couples are entitled to marriage and not an alternative, such as Vermont-style civil unions.

The high court had decided last fall homosexual couples are legally entitled to wed under the state constitution but did not immediately declare licenses should be issued. Instead it ordered the legislature to come up with a solution by mid-May.

Earlier today, as hundreds of activists chanted slogans, Massachusetts lawmakers voted down an amendment 100-98 that would ban gay marriage but allow the legislature to adopt civil unions.

Kerry's campaign responded today to the apparent contradiction in his stance, insisting he has consistently opposed homosexual marriage.

"John Kerry's position has been crystal clear," said spokesman David Wade, according to the AP. "He opposed a proposed constitutional amendment in Massachusetts in the summer of 2002 because a sweeping proposal would have threatened civil unions, health benefits, or inheritance rights for gay couples that represent equal protection under the law."

Wade said Kerry "favors civil unions, not gay marriage. It's that simple."

In 1996, when he was one of just 14 senators to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act, Kerry said in a Senate floor speech the legislation is a "power grab into states' rights of monumental proportions" and "a thinly veiled attempt to score political debating points by scapegoating gay and lesbian Americans."

Frank's letter was sent to Massachusetts lawmakers July 12, 2002, on congressional stationery, ahead of a constitutional amendment that limited marriage to "only the union of one man and one woman," the AP said.

"We believe it would be a grave error for Massachusetts to enshrine in our Constitution a provision which would have such a negative effect on so many of our fellow residents," Kerry and 11 other members of the state's congressional delegation wrote.

The 2002 legislation failed and another letter was sent ahead of the current constitutional convention.

However, neither Kerry nor Sen. Edward Kennedy signed the letter this time, the AP reported, noting Frank said he didn't ask the senators "because I was in such a hurry."

Last week, after the court ruling, Kerry outlined his stance.

"I believe and have fought for the principle that we should protect the fundamental rights of gay and lesbian couples – from inheritance to health benefits. I believe the right answer is civil unions. I oppose gay marriage and disagree with the Massachusetts Court's decision."

Kerry said it was possible he would support Massachusetts' constitutional amendment.

"It depends entirely on the language on whether it supports civil union and partnership or not," he told National Public Radio Monday. "I'm for civil union, I'm for partnership rights. I think what ought to condition this debate is not the term marriage, as much as the rights that people are afforded."

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