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USA: YouTube lesbians quiz Pres hopefuls

Thu 26 Jul 2007 In: International News

A lesbian couple and a southern Baptist pastor questioned Democratic presidential candidates about their views on same-sex marriage in a landmark debate on Monday night. YouTube users submitted more than 3,000 video questions via the video sharing site, and according to the debate's CNN host Anderson Cooper, same-sex marriage emerged as a popular issue. The lesbian couple from New York asked whether the Democratic candidates would grant them the right to get married. Representative Dennis Kucinich was the only candidate to unequivocally support gay marriage rights: "If our Constitution really means what it says, that all are created equal, if it really means what it says, that there should be equality of opportunity before the law, then our brothers and sisters who happen to be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered should have the same rights accorded to them as anyone else, and that includes the ability to have a civil marriage ceremony." John Edwards, known for using his Southern Baptist background to defend his opposition to same-sex marriage, was then challenged by Southern Baptist minister. "Most Americans agree it was wrong and unconstitutional to use religion to justify slavery, segregation, and denying women the right to vote," said Reverend Reggie Longcrier of Hickory, North Carolina. "So why is it still acceptable to use religion to deny gay American their full and equal rights?" After avoiding the question and being compelled to answer by Cooper, Edwards answered: "I've been asked a personal question, and that personal question is, do I believe and do I personally support gay marriage? "The honest answer to that is I don't. But I think it is absolutely wrong, as President of the United States, for me to have used that faith basis as a basis for denying anybody their rights, and I will not do that when I'm president of the United States." Watch the YouTube/CNN clip below.     Ref: Pinknews.co.uk, YouTube/CNN (m)

Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff

First published: Thursday, 26th July 2007 - 3:38pm

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