Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has released a video endorsing gay marriage, a week before the Supreme Court hears arguments on the federal Defense of Marriage Act and California’s Proposition 8.
“I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I support it personally and as a matter of policy and law embedded in a broader effort to advance equality and opportunity for LGBT Americans and for all Americans,” Clinton says in a video posted Monday by the Human Rights Campaign, a gay-rights organization.
“Like so many others, my views have been shaped over time by people I have known and loved, by my experience representing our nation on the world stage, my devotion to law and human rights, and the guiding principles of my faith,” Clinton says in the video.
The video marks Clinton’s first comments on gay marriage since leaving her post as Secretary of State in January. In August 2007, while running for president, Clinton first distanced herself from the federal law defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. In response to a candidate questionnaire issued by the Human Rights Campaign, Clinton wrote, “I support repealing the provision of DOMA that may prohibit the federal government from providing benefits to people in states that recognize same sex marriage. I strongly support ensuring people in stable, long-term same sex relationships have full equality of benefits, rights, and responsibilities.”
She also supported repealing the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy on gay military personnel.
Earlier this month, former president Bill Clinton urged the Supreme Court to overturn the “Defense of Marriage Act,” the landmark 1996 legislation he signed into law, in a Washington Post op-ed.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on Prop 8 on March 26 and on the Defense of Marriage Act the following day.
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Erin Delmore