Hillary Clinton Backs Same-Sex Marriage in YouTube Video
By: Julia Dodson
Updated: March 18, 2013
Former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, came out with her support for gay marriage on YouTube Monday, as part of a human rights campaign video. The former First Lady, U.S. Senator, and 2008 presidential candidate had previously backed civil unions and partner benefits for same-sex couples, but had stopped short of a full endorsement for marriage, until Monday.
In a nearly six-minute video message, Clinton said, in part, "for America to continue leading in the world, there is work we must do here at home. LGBT Americans are our colleagues, our teachers, our soldiers, our friends, our loved ones. And they are full and equal citizens and they deserve the rights of citizenship. That includes marriage. That's why I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I support it personally and as a matter of policy and law."
Clinton's public backing of same-sex marriage comes as the Supreme Court prepares to tackle the issue this spring. Last year, the High Court agreed to hear two constitutional challenges to state and federal laws dealing with the recognition of gay and lesbian couples to legally wed. Oral arguments will be held on March 26th and 27th, with a ruling by late June. To see Clinton's full video message, click here.
In a nearly six-minute video message, Clinton said, in part, "for America to continue leading in the world, there is work we must do here at home. LGBT Americans are our colleagues, our teachers, our soldiers, our friends, our loved ones. And they are full and equal citizens and they deserve the rights of citizenship. That includes marriage. That's why I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I support it personally and as a matter of policy and law."
Clinton's public backing of same-sex marriage comes as the Supreme Court prepares to tackle the issue this spring. Last year, the High Court agreed to hear two constitutional challenges to state and federal laws dealing with the recognition of gay and lesbian couples to legally wed. Oral arguments will be held on March 26th and 27th, with a ruling by late June. To see Clinton's full video message, click here.
