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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2004)
October 1. 2 QQ 4 » jU S t O U t , 5 ii’umilivi *1 mews AMERICAN EXPRESS FINANCIAL ADVISORS C o n g r e ssm a n F a v o r s M a r r ia g e E q u a l it y VOTE Support your civil rights! —_ , , . NO GOP challenger says marriage 'is not a civil right' by M.L. Madison v : V G iu n te c i S n c c c lc c l Vancouver congressman has joined a handful of U.S. repre sentatives who support marriage equality. ' “If two consenting adults want to get married, I don’t believe it’s the gov ernment’s place to say they can’t,” said U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D-Wash., in an interview with Just Out. A former psychologist and college profes sor, Baird, 48, is seeking a fourth term in Congress. He said he is strongly opposed to a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. “The Constitution has never in history been amended to take away the rights of an individual,” he said. “It’s always existed to pro tect the rights of the people from an intrusive government. For me, if I don’t want the gov ernment telling me who I can live with and love—and we’re talking consenting adults— why would I want the government to tell U.S. Rep. Brian Baird, D Wash., supports someone else?” same-sex marriage Baird’s opponent, Republican Tom Crowson, 52, states on his Web site that all families, loved one in the hospital. “But that is the posi including “the unions of two men or two women tion our state government puts people in every with or without children...are welcome in day, and it’s wrong.” America and should be protected by law.” Last month, The Associated Press reported Yet the Olympia homebuilder, who declined that a newly formed group opposed to same-sex to speak to Just Out, has accused queers of marriage, Allies for Marriage and Children, had “trying to destroy marriage” and supports announced a drive to add a ban on same-sex the Federal Marriage marriage to the Washington Constitution. Amendment. But opponents, includ families are entitled m he ing openly gay state Rep. married; Crowson states on / </„„ >f ¡ j g j j g ^ Ed Murray, D-Seattle, told his Web site. Marriage is . . the AP the han was diximed to fail. not a civil right, it should he j limited to a union of one . ±L. . . Last month, two superior man and one woman.... court judges found Washing This view recognizes the -Brian Baird ton state’s Defense of Mar historical purpose of mar riage Act, which defines riage as a social contract between a man and a marriage as a legal union between one man and woman with the view towards procreation.” one woman, unconstitutional. Baird countered that he didn’t “in any way, Baird said his support for minorities, “be they shape of fonn see how gay marriage threatens” sexual minorities or ethnic minorities, is based his marriage. on my upbringing in church, where 1 was taught He noted that several prominent Republi the golden mle.” He criticized “the people who cans, including former New York City Mayor have chosen to make this a political issue.” Rudolph Giuliani and former Speaker of the “We have more than 1,000 soldiers dead House Newt Gingrich, in Iraq, we have 45 mil lion Americans with no “have had a host of marital health insurance, we difficulties” that had noth have a $600 billion ing to do with same-sex deficit—and Congress of marriage. “There are a lot the United States is of people in glass houses focusing on [banning] gay throwing stones,” he said. marriage,” he said. “It’s He also criticized Repub not going to put licans for running on plat anyone hack to work, it forms of “less government” won’t help anyone get while pushing for a constitu health insurance, and it’s tional ban on same-sex mar not going to balance the riage. “You can’t on the one budget.” hand say you want less gov Baird received an 83 ernment, and then ask the percent approval rating government to dictate who from the Human Rights you can marry,” he said. Campaign during the Baird said he thought 107th Congress (2001- most Americans “would be outraged" if the government Republican challenger Tom Crowson 2002) and a 100 percent rating in the 106th Con didn’t recognize their mar- wants a constitutional amendment gress (1999-2000). JH riages or let them visit a to ban same-sex marriage w w w .n o o n 3 6 .o r g \ "¡f fWO COnSetltillCf OdultS WOPt tO get lliamed, it the goverppiept s place >0 W they COP t -m Longtime relationship recognized. m Long-term planning required. i t F o r a c o m p lim e n ta ry i n i t i a l c o n s u lta tio n c a ll me to d ay a t 5 6 3 .9 24.1990 American Express Financial Advisor« understand« how one event can impact your broader economic picture. With our unique Persona) Economic Forecast, we can help you take control of your economy with the right combination of advice, insight and solution«. 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