Bill Clinton says gays should be able to marry

[andy]

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/billclinton.jpg[/img2]Former US president Bill Clinton has said he is now "basically" in favour of gay marriage.

Speaking at the Campus Progress National Conference in Washington DC, Clinton was asked if he supported gay marriage.

According to the The Nation, he replied: "Yeah. I personally support people doing what they want to do. I think it's wrong for someone to stop someone else from doing that [gay marriage]."

During his term, Clinton opposed gay marriage. He was responsible for the Defence of Marriage Act, which bars access to federal benefits for gay couples and gives federal recognition to heterosexual couples only.

Current president Barack Obama has described the law as "abhorrent" and promised to repeal it in his election campaign. The law was defended in court by the Justice Department in June. The defence invoked incest and child marriage as part of its legal argument, infuriating gay activists.

However, Clinton added he still did not believe gay marriage was "a federal question".

In May, he told an audience at Toronto's Convention Centre that his views on the subject were "evolving".

Clinton is the most high-profile politician to date to change his views on gay marriage.

Five senators – Patrick Leahy, Christopher Dodd, Kirsten Gillibrand, Charles Schumer and Tom Harkin – have also come out in favour.

[fredv3b]

During his term, Clinton opposed gay marriage. He was responsible for the Defence of Marriage Act, which bars access to federal benefits for gay couples and gives federal recognition to heterosexual couples only.

He also used the fact that he signed to Defence of Marriage Act in radio advertising.

[marshlander]

... and he is such a trustworthy source of wisdom and understanding :frown:

[fjp999]

[img2=left]http://www.gayspeak.com/forum/images/news/billclinton.jpg[/img2]

Current president Barack Obama has described the law as "abhorrent" and promised to repeal it in his election campaign. The law was defended in court by the Justice Department in June. The defence invoked incest and child marriage as part of its legal argument, infuriating gay activists.

However, Clinton added he still did not believe gay marriage was "a federal question".

Clinton is the most high-profile politician to date to change his views on gay marriage.

Five senators – Patrick Leahy, Christopher Dodd, Kirsten Gillibrand, Charles Schumer and Tom Harkin – have also come out in favour.

Dont matter what he did in the past... inhale or eat puss... He on our side in word and thats that

[yar]

Even a fool can change his mind. Clinton by the way In my opinion was a great precedent just made a few mis judgments in trusting advisers. At least he sees the light now to bad he is a bit to late now to do any thing about it now. Perhaps president Barack Obama will take his lead.

[ch-photo]

Well he was better than Bush (No pun intended)

As more and more high profile people support, it can only help the cause, no matter what the history.

[fredv3b]

Well he was better than Bush (No pun intended)

Bush certainly knew how to fire-up his Conservative Christian base with talk of a Constitutional amendment against gay marriage, but he never actually lifted a finger about it. So, in terms of what Bush actually did rather than said, what did he actually do against gay rights?