Former VP backs some same-sex marriage

Published: June 2, 2009 at 12:51 AM
Former Vice President Cheney speaks on National Security Policy in Washington

WASHINGTON, June 2 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney said Monday he supports same-sex marriage because "freedom means freedom for everyone."

However, in an appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, Cheney said he thinks same-sex marriage rights should be granted at the state level -- not by the U.S. government.

"Historically, the way marriage has been regulated is at the state level," he said. "It has always been a state issue, and I think that is the way it ought to be handled, on a state-by-state basis."

Cheney's remarks put him at odds with President Barack Obama on the issue, The Washington Post said. Obama has said he approves of gay civil unions, but not gay marriage.

"I think, you know, freedom means freedom for everyone," Cheney said, reminding his audience that one of his daughters is a lesbian. "I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish."

Cheney has said as long ago as 2000 the issue should be left up to states. In 2004 he seemed to distance himself from a proposal to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriage, the Post said.

© 2009 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Order reprints



Additional News Stories
Your Daily Horoscope
NBA: Los Angeles Clippers 88, Indiana 72
NHL: Phoenix 3, Ottawa 2
NBA: Portland 90, Houston 89
The almanac
NHL: Calgary 2, San Jose 1
COL BKB: Charlotte 87, Louisville 65
fark
IRS audits single mom for being too poor for Seattle, decides her children do not legally exist
Thief forgets that most people who make their escape by bicycle 1) aren't drunk, and 2) aren't carrying...
Al-Qaeda hasn't claimed responsibility for hijacking near Heathrow Airport, but since 50+ Victoria...
BASE* jumper dies in Arizona. (Building, Antenna, oh SHIAT - ELECTRICITY)
Dozens missing in Egypt ferry accident, family members are in De Nile
There once was a man from New Zealand / Whose HIV bug was not healin' / Said his wife, "no more...