Has Dean made a statement on the FMA?

[Dookus]

Not an attack of any sort - a sincere question. I haven't heard anything. Has Dean issued any statement on the proposed marriage amendment?

[RogueTrooper]

1. Not as far as I know

there has been condemnation of Bush on the o-blog but nothing from the man himself. I have a feeling it will be mentioned this evening, however.

[patricia92243]

2. We really need a glossery for this forum. What does FMA Mean?

[Fenris]

3. Federal Marriage Amendment

[Orangepeel]

4. February 4, 2004

Last paragraph

____________________________________________
Contact: Press Office
802-651-3257
February 04, 2004
Governor Dean's Statement on Mass. Court Ruling

MADISON, WI--Democratic presidential candidate Governor Howard Dean, M.D., commented on the Massachusetts Supreme Court decision to support same-gender marriages today:

"I believe firmly that we must do everything in our power to assure that all citizens of the United States are afforded equal rights under the law -- and that includes gay as well as straight couples. As Governor of Vermont, I was proud to sign the nation's first law establishing civil unions for same-sex couples. Today's decision by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court represents a different approach to the same goal. One way or another, states should afford same-sex couples equal treatment under law in areas such as health insurance, hospital visitation and inheritance rights.

"Some in Washington will use this decision to justify the proposed Federal Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This would be the first constitutional amendment to authorize discrimination, and I oppose it. Marriage is a matter of state law, and gay bashing has no place in the Constitution."

http://www.deanforamerica.com/press/2004/02/04/mass_court/

[madfloridian]

5. Yes, he is against the amendment.

He is for equal rights in every way, but I don't think he necessarily is for calling it marriage. He does not think the federal government needs to stick their nose in.

He has made several statements on the issue. He was confronted by someone during the rope line on C-Span near the end, and she was being ugly. She nearly yelled why are you against gay marriage. He said he had done ground-breaking things in VT and was proud of what he did. He offered to explain later more of it to her.

I don't think any of the candidates come right out and say they approve of gay marriage, but most approve of civil unions.