Gay Rights Group Praises First Lady

Gay Rights Group Praises First Lady

For Immediate Release
May 15 2006

Contact:
Rick Garcia
312-560-0405

CHICAGO-Illinois' statewide gay rights group has praised First Lady Laura Bush for her opposition to a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Bush expressed her opposition during an interview with "Fox News Sunday".

"Mrs. Bush's remarks are warmly received and welcomed," said Rick Garcia, public policy director for Equality Illinois. "We are happy that Mrs. Bush joins us in recognizing that writing discrimination into the constitution is just wrong and that gay people and our families should not be used as a campaign tool by the extreme right wing."

During the interview, Mrs. Bush said the American people want discussion on the issue but, she said "I don't think it should be used as a campaign tool, obviously. It requires a lot of sensitivity to talk about the issue -- a lot of sensitivity."

Mrs. Bush's remarks comes just a week after anti-gay organizations in Illinois submitted petitions to place an advisory question asking Illinois voters if they want a state Constitutional ban on same-sex marriage on the ballot in November.

"Mrs. Bush rightly understand, that the American people want a discussion of the issue but that it requires "sensitivity. She also, rightly understands that gay people and our families should not be exploited for political purposes," stated Garcia.

"Let's be clear, the promoters of a constitutional amendment are attempting to exploit gay people and our families for their own venal political purposes," Garcia suggested. "Mrs. Bush understands that no group in America should be pitted against another for political purposes. We pray that her husband and his followers heed her wise advice."