Columbus, OH —President Bush today announced his plan to fully back a proposed Federal Marriage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that will ban gays and lesbians from accessing more than 1,000 federal privileges of marriage. The announcement further defines his position that marriage is between a man and a woman. “It is an outrage that a President of the United States would push for a federal amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would discriminate against millions of Americans and destroy their families. President Bush has gone too far this time! Our country is a republic built on the democratic principles of equality and protection for all. President Bush has redefined those principles to be hate, intolerance and discrimination,” said Kate Anderson, Executive Director of Stonewall Columbus.”The President is also attempting to diminish the role of the judicial branch of our government simply because they are not following the blind lead of the extreme religious factions.” said Ms. Anderson. “Our country and its citizens, gay and straight, are under a serious threat of losing the democratic principles that many Americans have fought and died for in this country,” added Ms. Anderson.

“The GLBT community should hold President Bush, Governor Taft and any elected official who has supported this type of divisive, hate legislation responsible for any physical violence or discrimination that may occur towards a gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person.

In his address on Tuesday morning, Bush clearly defined his intentions to support this legislation. “America’s a free society which limits the role of government in the lives of our citizens. This commitment of freedom, however, does not require the redefinition of one of our most basic institutions.”

“One must question, how is America a free society when segments of its population face severe penalties for whom they love and for the wish for that love to be acknowledged equally,” added Anderson. The conservative hate agenda should be a wake up call to all Americans to take action and speak out for basic rights and equality. We hope you join us in this fight. Contact Stonewall Columbus at 614.299.7764 to learn how you can make a difference.