July 17, 1996
Clinton Shows Other Face Over Gay Marriages
"We don't have an American to waste. Democrats will continue to lead the fight to ensure that no Americans suffer discrimination or deprivation of rights on the basis of race, gender, language, national origin, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or other characteristics irrelevant to ability."
Sounds like someone really thinks the American people, all of them, deserve every opportunity, doesn't it? One of those people is President Clinton, or so we thought. Clinton has said that he would sign the bill now being proposed to Congress - the Defense of Marriage Act. This legislation would allow states to recognize or disregard same-sex marriages performed elsewhere at their discretion. In addition, it would prevent same-sex married couples from enjoying the same benefits heterosexual married couples receive, such as filing joint tax returns and Social Security benefits.
Wasn't it President Clinton who pushed for the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Don't Pursue" policy so that gays and lesbians could serve and protect our United States. Isn't this the same guy who always stood up for gay rights and equal opportunity. According to his party platform, he is: "We support the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment," and "we...will provide civil rights protection for gay men and lesbians and an end to Defense Department discrimination..." Is hypocritical the word I'm looking for?
Furthermore, aside from Clinton's supposed support for gay and lesbian rights, the Constitution upholds their right to marry as well, and have that marriage honored all over America. Article IV, Section I of the Constitution states that "Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Act, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof." In other words, the constitutional "full faith and credit" clause maintains that a legal contract in one state must be honored in all others. Currently, such is the situation with drivers' licenses.
President Clinton seems to have chosen a rather convenient time to make gay marriages an issue. Assuming that a majority of the population will agree with him on this issue, Clinton is hoping for enough votes to be re-elected. Priorities no longer seem to be in order. Being a member of the Democratic party, thus following the creed of the Democratic party platform, Clinton automatically "...condemn[ed] anti-Semitism, racism, homophobia, bigotry and negative stereotyping of all kinds." It looks like things have changed - for the worse. Those who once relied on Clinton and his promises are now being stabbed in the back.
Gays and lesbians getting married has no place in the political arena. It is not an issue that should be discussed by anyone except those involved. Marriage between any two people is a personal decision. Some might say that the traditional family will be tainted and destroyed. Wrong! Family is not something that is cut and dry, especially not in today's world. If people are even lucky enough to find someone they can spend their lives with, what is the problem?
Towards the closing of the Democratic party platform, there is a significant statement made: "Americans know that, in the end, we will all rise or fall together. To make our society one again, Democrats will restore America's founding values of family, community and common purpose." As far as rising and falling together, it is not going to happen that way. If Clinton doesn't come to his senses, he is going to realize real soon that we're all falling apart. Each American, through the differences in religion, race, gender and sexual orientation, is being pulled in every direction. While people are concentrating and exerting energy on other people's lives, theirs are passing by. Life is short. Make the best of it. Mind your own business.
Lindsay Froman
July 17, 1996
Editorial #3