Lesbian and gay activists in the United States have reacted angrily to President Bill Clinton’s endorsement of anti-gay legislation.
Clinton has signed a Christian-inspired Act of Congress which enshrines marriage as an institution only between heterosexual couples.
The Defence of Marriage Act defines marriage as “a legal union between one man and one woman” and spouse as “husband or wife of the opposite sex”.
A Christian group called Traditional Values Coalition helped draft it with the co-sponsorship of Bob Dole, the Republican candidate in November’s presidential election, who has made his hostility to gays very clear.
Clinton is a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, which has ganged up on the Walt Disney Company for its pro-gay policies (see World Watch, G&LH Summer 1996).
In an interview with the US lesbian and gay magazine The Advocate, Clinton said: “I remain opposed to same-sex marriage. I believe marriage is an institution for the union of a man and a woman. This has been my longstanding position and it is not being reviewed or reconsidered.”