Cheney 'Let States Decide Gay Marriage'

Cheney 'Let States Decide Gay Marriage'
by Paul Johnson
365Gay.com Newscenter
Washington Bureau Chief
Posted: August 24, 2004 5:01 pm ET

(Washington) Vice President Dick Cheney Tuesday said gay marriage should be left up to the states, a reversal of his last statement on the subject and a return to his original position while running in 2000.

Cheney was responding to a question during a campaign stop today in Davenport, Iowa.

"Lynne and I have a gay daughter, so it's an issue our family is very familiar with. Cheney said.

Lesbian daughter Mary Cheney was in the audience during her father's remarks.

"Freedom means freedom for everyone," the Vice President said.

"People ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to. The question that comes up with the issue of marriage is what kind of official sanction or approval is going to be granted by government? Historically, that's been a relationship that has been handled by the states. The states have made that fundamental decision of what constitutes a marriage."
But, said Cheney, the question is what kind of official sanction or approval is going to be granted by government? Historically, he said, that's been a relationship that has been handled by the states.

He then noted the president's position that a constitutional amendment is needed to prevent judges from overturning the Federal Defense of Marriage Act.

But, Cheney said DOMA "may be enough".

He told the audience that he understands the President's position and "the President sets policy".

Cheney's remarks are in stark contrast to those made in January when he said he will support a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage (story) and a return to a more moderate position he espoused in 2000 during a television debate with vice-presidential candidate, Sen. Joe Lieberman.

During the debate Cheney was asked about gay marriage.

"That matter is regulated by the states. I think different states are likely to come to different conclusions, and that's appropriate. I don't think there should necessarily be a federal policy in this area."

The Human Rights Campaign Tuesday accused the Bush Administration of trying to have it both ways.

"President Bush must be feeling the heat," said HRC President Cheryl Jacques. "Millions of Republican families, like the Cheneys, have gay friends and family members and are offended by President Bush's efforts to put discrimination in the Constitution. As Vice President Cheney makes clear, this is a personal issue that affects hard-working, tax-paying Americans. The Bush administration can't have it both ways."

©365Gay.com® 2004