Talking about Melissa Etheridge's comment about the Clintons "throwing the gay community under a bus" when introducing DOMA, Bill Clinton said:

"I think it's a slight rewriting of history that, let me just say, let me remind you, one of the raids that the Republican Party used to get its base out, I think it was in 2004, to have all these amendments on the ballot, right, to change the constitution of these states to ban gay marriage.

"There was at the time, a serious effort to argue that the congress ought to present to the states a constitutional amendment, a national constitutional amendment, on gay marriage. So the idea behind the defense of marriage act was not to ban gay marriage but simply to say that just because Massachusetts recognized gay marriage, which Hillary and I at the time defended their right to do, that marriage had always been a matter of state law and religious practice.

"The defense of marriage act did nothing to change that, all it said was that [the state of] Idaho did not have to recognize a marriage sanctified in Massachusetts, and that seemed to be a reasonable compromise in the environment of the time, and its a slight rewriting of history for Melissa, whom I very much respect, to imply that somehow this was anti-gay when I had more openly gay people in my administration and did more for gay rights and tried to provide an opportunity for gays to serve in the military and did provide an opportunity for gays to serve in civilian positions involving national security that they had been previously been denied to serving in. That's a little bit of rewriting of history there."

Last update: 01-27-2009 12:49

Posted by Alec, on 03-24-2008 21:47, 1. spare me Gays were only the first group Clinton threw to the wolves when it was politically expedient. There was no reason not to oppose DOMA; it was veto-proof. I notice that the entire senate delegation from MA, CA and IL voted against it. Even Senator Robb voted against it, and he had a lot to lose.   This is what Senator Clinton did for gay rights: he talked about AIDS and he lifted a ban on CIA employment and issued an executive order banning federal employment discrimination. On the issue of marriage, he has no credibility in any debate on its "sanctity." F**k off, Bill.   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by BrianR, on 03-24-2008 23:24, 2. SAcrew The Clintons - They Screwed Us Gays will SOMEDAY - SOMEDAY stop flocking to the broken promises of the Clinton about gay rights.    They lied the first time, they lied the second time and now they want us to believe   them again?    OMG! Gays of the USA - have we never heard the story of Peter and The Wolf?     Hillary would lie to her Grandmother to get her vote!   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by alan, on 03-25-2008 03:32, 3. Do we have a choice? Even Bill's first gay laison Mitzner resigned due to the lies of the Clintons. But come on, do we have a choice (again)? Do you want all the black gay hateing preachers to get some influence.....I think not.   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by BrianR, on 03-25-2008 06:58, 4. Gay-Hating Preachers Because of the mouthy, ignorant rantings of the one black minister, one should vote for Hillary?     Ever heard of Reverend (??) Fred Phelps? The black minister (??) in Illinois pales in comparison when it comes to hatred.    My Pastor hates gays, too - and I dare say there is less tolerance for gays among white ministers across the country than there is among black ministers.    The previous posting seems to be a limp attempt to cover some anti-Obama feelings just because the man's skin tone is not white.   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by alan, on 03-25-2008 07:23, 5. Your Paster Hates You???? Did I miss read .... did this person say that his paster hates him? Im sure one needs to go no further, but I will. Obama's paster, like Obama said, is his "spirtual advisor" ..I don't think the loonie Phelps is the spirtual advisor of anyone. The right wing will tear Obama to pieces....they won't need to use the race card like you used with me. Shame on you.   » Report this comment to administrator