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Bush calls for calm in marriage debate

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27 (UPI) -- President George Bush urged Americans Friday to behave properly in the debate over gay marriage despite the sensitivity of the issue.

"This is a sensitive debate and it is important people hold true to their beliefs without condemning anybody else, so therefore I call upon all sides in the debate to conduct themselves with dignity, and honor and respect," Bush said. "But this is a debate the nation must have and the people's voice must be heard."

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Tuesday, after weeks on the sidelines, Bush declared support for a constitutional amendment to enshrine heterosexual marriage and protect and defend it from those he called activist judges trying to change the definition of the institution.

Massachusetts will begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses in May under orders from its highest court. Under the Constitution now other states would be required to accept those unions as legal and therefore afford benefits due traditional married couples.

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