In response to a question about same-sex marriage, Cheney said,
"I think freedom means freedom for everyone. As many of you know, one of my daughters is gay and it is something we have lived with for a long time in our family. I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish. Any kind of arrangement they wish. The question of whether or not there ought to be a federal statute to protect this, I don't support."
Vice President Cheney went on to offer his support for states allowing marriage for same-sex couples,
"I do believe that historically the way marriage has been regulated is at the state level. It has always been a state issue and I think that is the way it ought to be handled, on a state-by-state basis. Different states will make different decisions, and I don't have a problem with that. People ought to be able to have a shot at that."GOProud represents gay conservatives and their allies. GOProud is committed to a traditional conservative agenda that emphasizes limited government, individual liberty, free markets and a confident foreign policy. GOProud promotes our traditional conservative agenda by influencing politics and policy at the federal level. PO Box 15861 , Washington, DC 20003 . For more information visit our website www.goproud.org
"It is clear that Vice President Cheney's position on marriage equality is superior to that of President Obama and Vice President Biden," continued LaSalvia. "The groups on the gay left – from HRC to the Log Cabin Republicans – should put aside their bitter resentment for the former Vice President for one day and acknowledge the historical nature of his comments."
Well, I know Cheney has spoken up before on the issue of gay marriage but, isn't it awfully easy for him to speak up now, when he has little to no power?
ReplyDeleteIf Cheney truly cared, why didn't he do more for gays while he was in office??? I think he speaks up because his daughter is gay. So far all Cheney has done is SAY he is for gay marriage. What has he DONE to evidence that commitment?
Also - I just have to comment on Jimmy LaSalvia, Executive Director of GOProud's comment in the Cheney article, where he complains Obama has left a 'trail of empty promises' for the GLBT community.
ReplyDeleteNow, I'm an independent and, no expert on this, as I haven't closely followed all Obama has and hasn't done, but I believe we need to give Obama time to make more of the changes he's promised to make.
Obama has already done a lot to at least hire GLBT's for his administration, much more openly than probably any prez has done in the past.
Unfortunately, Obama has so much on his plate that is even more of a priority (economy, security), thanks to the troubles the last administration left him, that GLBT issues are taking a back seat.
I take issue with LaSalvia for doing what some would say is the typical Republican (or political) thing of trying to 'drive a wedge'. I would challenge LaSalvia to stop talking and 'stirring the pot' and find ways to WORK WITH Obama instead of criticizing him.
For example, Mr. LaSalvia, what have you done, so far, to reach across the aisle, to work with the Obama Administration on GLBT issues? And, what will you do this coming week to do so?