FL Senate debate: on Civil Rights


Betty Castor: Support basic protections for gay couples, but not marriage

Q: Do you support gay marriage? Do you support civil unions?

CASTOR: I do not support gay marriage, but I oppose changing the US Constitution over this issue. We should be conservative with our Constitution, not run out and change it over contentious social issues. I do support basic legal protections for couples who make a commitment to each other, such as the right to visit each other in the hospital. No one should be denied basic human rights like that.

MARTINEZ: I believe a marriage should be only between one man and one woman and I will vote for the constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and woman.

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press

Mel Martinez: Support the constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage

Q: Do you support gay marriage? Do you support civil unions?

CASTOR: I do not support gay marriage, but I oppose changing the US Constitution over this issue. We should be conservative with our Constitution, not run out and change it over contentious social issues. I do support basic legal protections for couples who make a commitment to each other, such as the right to visit each other in the hospital. No one should be denied basic human rights like that.

MARTINEZ: I believe a marriage should be only between one man and one woman and I will vote for the constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and woman.

Source: Florida Senate Debate, Q&A by Associated Press

  • The above quotations are from Florida Senate debate: Mel Martinez (R) vs. Betty Castor (D), Oct. 18, 2004.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for more quotes by Mal Martinez on Civil Rights.
  • Click here for more quotes by Betty Castor on Civil Rights.
Other candidates on Civil Rights:
George W. Bush
Dick Cheney
John Edwards
John Kerry

Third Party Candidates:
Michael Baradnik
Peter Camejo
David Cobb
Ralph Nader
Michael Peroutka


Democratic Primaries:
Carol Moseley Braun
Wesley Clark
Howard Dean
Dick Gephardt
Bob Graham
Dennis Kucinich
Joe Lieberman
Al Sharpton
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