Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias said Wednesday he favors legalization of same-sex marriage and, if elected, would seek to repeal a federal law that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman.
In an interview, Giannoulias said individual states should be able to decide for themselves whether they allow same-sex couples to marry, but that all states should be required to afford legal recognition to same-sex marriages performed in states where they are sanctioned.
Giannoulias also would require the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages, now prohibited by the Defense of Marriage Act he wants repealed. He says this would have the effect, in part, of allowing gay and lesbian couples to file joint federal income tax returns and receive Social Security survivor benefits.
To top it off, he wants to repeal the U.S. military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.
Illinois gay activists state that they believe Giannoulias is the first statewide candidate to support gay marriage.
Related posts:
Hannity's report on Alexi Giannoulias
Ethically challenged Chicago Democrat Giannoulias announces Senate run
Mark Kirk repents (almost) on cap and trade
Technorati tags: Chicago politics Illinois Election Democrats Alexi Giannoulias senate Congress illinois politics Republican gay
No comments:
Post a Comment