Clinton Would Extend Same-Sex Benefits
Democrat Says She'd Also Eliminate Husband's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Policy
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Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters during a news conference, upon her arrival at the airport in Burbank, Calif., Thursday, April 3, 2008. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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Photo Essay Hillary Clinton A look at a life and career full of firsts.
Clinton said states such as New Jersey and Massachusetts are extending rights to gay couples "and the federal government should recognize that and should extend the same access to federal benefits across the board. I will very much work to achieve that."
Clinton's comments came in an interview with the Philadelphia Gay News that was posted on its Web site Thursday.
Clinton said she and her husband have many gay friends that they socialize with when they get the chance. "I've got friends, literally, around the country that I'm close to. It's part of my life," she said.
She said that when they ask her why they can't get married, she tells them marriage is a state law. She said that fact helped defeat a constitutional amendment to prohibit same-sex weddings that she said would "enshrine discrimination in the Constitution."
"States are really beginning seriously to deal with the whole range of options, including marriage, both under their own state constitutions and under the legislative approach," she said. "I anticipate that there will be a very concerted amount of effort in the next couple of years that will move this important issue forward and different states will take different approaches as they did with marriage over many years and you will see an evolution over time."
Clinton said she opposes a measure that would ban gay marriage in Pennsylvania.
"I would be very distressed if Pennsylvania were to adopt that kind of mean-spirited referendum and I hope it won't happen," she said.
Clinton's Democratic rival Barack Obama and Republican John McCain declined the newspaper's invitation for an interview. The paper criticized Obama and highlighted his refusal to talk by leaving a blank space on the front page where his interview would have appeared.
Clinton also said she would:
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Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie."





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See all 115 CommentsIf same gender marriage is legally permitted, it will establish a legal precedent that permits brother to marry sister as long as they agree to adopt. The legal logic would be the same......
....This "logic" of slippery slope is tantamount to saying that "if Negroes are allowed to be free, then we have to free barnyard animals too"(after all slaves and animals were property) or if we give women the right to vote then it follows that children will want it next( after all women and children were both subservient to men)
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Posted by trishab4 at 11:03 PM : Apr 05, 2008
Same gender marriage is not a fantasy. It''s a reality, coming soon to your state.
Posted by kansas1946 at 06:08 PM : Apr 04, 2008
I think TracyMorg just accidentally verbalized a kinky fantasy here.
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Posted by SgtRDS at 06:36 PM : Apr 04, 2008
I hope this is just another step toward fully recognized same se*x marriage. Then I could have the pleasure of watching my step-son get married to his partner at last. (Though the truth is he could do better, but you didn''''t hear that from me)
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Posted by SgtRDS at 06:38 PM : Apr 04, 2008
-I can count three fantasies here: which one did you point out at? LOL! Camels, sis-bro, or same-gender?
Croft, I think we can come to an understanding. I think you are just put off by the word marriage. Well, the only reason that g ays are petitioning for the right to "marry" is because in the federal tax codes, social security rules, and other federal rules, such as end of life decisions, property codes, etc., the word "marriage" is attached to all of those protections. Now one of two things need to happen to make everybody happy. The federal government needs to recognize same-s ex marriage, or they need to change the language in the codes to "marriate and/or domestic partership." Then g ays would be protected, and the word "marriage" would not be affected.
I don''t think God would approve of that considering he destroyed two cities partly because of the sexual acts conducted there, I''m talking about the gay men outside of the door where Lot and the three angels were at. They didn''t want Lots daughters, they wanted the male angels instead.
And by the way, Catholics ARE Christians.kansas1946
I know Catholics are Christians, they were the first Christians, but many protestants believe that Catholics are not Christians, I find them everywhere. I was raised Catholic, I know. If the name of God is not used when they are married, better for their souls. Regardless,the bible consideres it a sin, or I should say God. Who knows,maybe they should call it partners for life instead of marriage. *** only make up about 1% of this country. Why make such a big deal about it? Its not the norm.
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Posted by croft777 at 07:52 PM : Apr 04, 2008
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Who would marry the ***? I don''''t think a christian church or a catholic church would ever do that.
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Posted by croft777 at 07:51 PM : Apr 04, 2008
+ report abuse
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A lot of people get married at the courthouse, and or, in civil ceremonies. As far as the state is concerned, marriage has nothing to do with religion, it is a contract. There is no rule that "the name of God" is used in the wedding vows.
And by the way, Catholics ARE Christians.
Posted by kansas1946 at 06:08 PM : Apr 04, 2008
I think TracyMorg just accidentally verbalized a kinky fantasy here.
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Posted by SgtRDS at 06:36 PM : Apr 04, 2008
+ report abuse
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LOL. Thanks,Sarge. That clears things up a bit. ;o)
Another question which seems just as important but I have never heard asked is "How did sitting in a pew at Trinity United Church of Christ impact Obama''s views on America and being Black in America?" After twenty-years of hearing his mentor rant about discrimination in America, how many of these views about "typical white people" did Obama internalize?
LOL! Obama is probably busy writing a speech in response. He doesn''t seem to do so well with interviews.
The more I see of Hillary...the more I like her.
The more I see of Obama....the less I like him.
Posted by kansas1946 at 06:08 PM : Apr 04, 2008
I think TracyMorg just accidentally verbalized a kinky fantasy here.
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Posted by TracyMorg_an at 04:33 PM : Apr 04, 2008
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I am completely in the dark on this one. It makes no sense. There are a number of countries that recognize same-s ex unions, and I haven''t noticed brothers marrying sisters, or their pet camel, in those countries.
Posted by rational_1 at 05:33 PM : Apr 04, 2008"
I agree, marriage laws have changed dramatically over our history. I don''t expect that everyones view of marriage will ever be the same.
It was the supreme court that overthrew Virginia''s antimiscegenation law that outlawed inter-racial marriage. 16 states enforced that law until the courts decision in 1967.
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