06.25.07
Elizabeth Edwards supports same-sex marriage
Elizabeth Edwards, wife of Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards, kicked off San Francisco’s annual gay pride parade Sunday by splitting with her husband over support for legalized same-sex marriage.
I don’t know why someone else’s marriage has anything to do with me, Mrs. Edwards said at a news conference before the parade started. ”I’m completely comfortable with gay marriage.”
She conceded her support puts her at odds with her husband, a former senator from North Carolina who she said supports civil unions for gay couples—but not same-sex marriages.
John believes that couples in committed long-term relationships should enjoy the same rights, benefits, and responsibilities regardless of whether they are straight couples or same-sex couples,Edwards said earlier during her speech. He supports civil unions.
When John Edwards was asked about same-sex marriage during a debate earlier this month, he emphasized his support for civil unions and partnership benefits but said, ”I don’t think the federal government has a role in telling either states or religious institutions, churches, what marriages they can bless and can’t bless.”