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September 09, 2008

Support for Florida Marriage Ban Holding Steady

Support for Florida Marriage Ban Holding Steady

Once thought to be a strong contender for the vice presidential slot on the McCain ticket, long-rumored-to-be-gay Florida governor Charlie Crist is watching his approval ratings soar throughout Florida, according to a new Quinnipiac Univeristy poll.

The Palm Beach Post reports that approval for Crist has soared to 61% throughout Florida. The surge in Crist’s poll numbers comes on the heels of two announcements: He’s engaged to be married, and he supports a Florida ban on same-sex marriage.

Crist told reporters in early August that he supports Amendment Two, which would constitutionally ban same-sex marriage throughout the state of Florida. At the time, Crist was still thought to be a top contender for the VP slot on McCain’s ticket.

The Florida governor’s support for Amendment Two was an about-face from his previous position on the issue of gay marriage. Though Crist had long shied away from commenting either way on the topic of gay marriage, reporters had credited him with a “live and let live” attitude.

As approval for Crist surges throughout the state, so does support for Amendment Two.

According to a recent article in the Miami Herald, 55% of voters throughout Florida support a ban on same-sex marriage. While that is short of the 60% approval needed to amend the constitution, recent polls suggest that number is holding.

Earlier this month, the blogs had a field day with Crist’s announcement that he is engaged to be married -- to the head of one of the nation’s largest Halloween costume manufacturing companies.

According to TowleRoad.com: “The woman marrying the gayish governor from the sultry Southern state actually makes beards.” (The Advocate)

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 2008-09-09 12:53 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    Thank you, Andrew. As a gay man I sincerely appreciate your support. Best wishes to you and yours!


  • Name: Andrew
    Date posted: 2008-09-09 5:50 AM
    Hometown: El Paso TX

    Comment:

    As as straight man, I would like to mention that everyone should be treated equally and really be enforced. My entire family is hardocore Republican, and I'm slowly opening their eyes.. Although Obama does not believeve in same sex marriage at least he does not support Prop 2.. My best friend from childhood is a lesbian, has been with her partner for 13 years and is not able to marry. I have been married twice, why can't she have the same rghts I have? The United States should be humble and look at our neighbors to the North (CANADA) and learn a thing or two from them... A saddened American.


  • Name: Daniel
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 7:29 PM
    Hometown: Fort Lauderdale

    Comment:

    I hear you SLHGalen. I've been in Florida the last eleven years with my partner of fifteen years and registered our Domestic Partnership as soon as it became available in Broward County. We're the only gays in our small community of 40 homes and our relationship has lasted longer than some of the straight marriages. I always viewed Crist as a fair player, but his support on 2 was really a slap in the face for everyone. I really hope he "Larry Craigs" or someone steps forward and outs him.


  • Name: Ken & Arthur Blankstein-Ure
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 7:16 PM
    Hometown: Winnipeg, CANADA

    Comment:

    Speaking as a Proud Canadian who represents a country that truly respects human rights & freedoms I find it apalling that in this day & age people-especially politicians-still have to hide behind masks instead of just being honest. How pitiful it is that so many people are still stuck in the dark-ages. It conjures up images of the Salem witch trials! I'm so proud & lucky to be living in Canada where I can talk about my legal spouse freely. In the 5 years we've been married & spoken with other people we have NEVER come across a negative comment from anyone! Is it possible that most people don't really have a problem with gay marriage?? Is it possible that most people have a gay relative or close friend or loved one...& that maybe they just want them to have a happy contented life? Maybe....


  • Name: Michael
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 6:40 PM
    Hometown: Pinellas Park, Florida

    Comment:

    The Advocate needs to do its research. While his approval rating is at 60%, it is actually down from over 70% shortly after he was elected. In addition, support for the marriage ban has also fallen from 57% down to 55%. Not to mention it needs 60% to pass. All these results were in the Quinnipiac poll. So I'm not sure what you're trying to accomplish by saying his approval has "soared" when in fact it's down 10%. And the amendment support is also down, just not as much. I think Crist is a horrible governor, gay or straight. And obviously I'm against the amendment. But the Advocate needs to get its fact right.


  • Name: J. C.
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 5:11 PM
    Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL

    Comment:

    It's well known by those who went to law school with Crist that he was in the closet and that his former lover was paid off to keep his mouth shut. You guys ought to track the lover down and out Crist for the self-hating homophobe he is!


  • Name: SLHGalen
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 5:09 PM
    Hometown: Leesburg FL

    Comment:

    I actually, intentionally moved to Florida 11 years ago (to follow my lover. Go figure). I stay stunned and shocked at the backwoods atmosphere of its politics. I was sort of not-miserable when Crist won, because, bluntly, that guy is more gay than many "out" men I know, and his live and let live previous statements made me (falsely) believe he wasn't going to turn hateful in the name of politics, however: he's just like the rest of 'em. If I live to be 1,000 I will never understand why people intentionally vote against their own interests. I think the Log Cabin gang needs some sort of deep therapy. I think Crist will eventually "pull a Larry Craig" and I HOPE that McCain and Caribou Barbie are DEFEATED in November! Oh, and I'm still with my lover of 11 years, still in a state that considers us unworthy scum.


  • Name: Hugo
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 4:59 PM
    Hometown: Jacksonville

    Comment:

    Spread the word and tell people to vote NO on Prop 2. Don't sit around, do something. Go on message boards and tell people to vote NO.


  • Name: Chris
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 4:51 PM
    Hometown: Worcester, Ma

    Comment:

    You know how they say: "most homophobes are latent gays themselves". Crist is a case it point. What a weasel!!!


  • Name: Ralph Black
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 4:50 PM
    Hometown: Birmingham Alabama

    Comment:

    Godd lord Michael Jackson got married to but it does change the fact he likes little boys... Crist is a public figure and most people do not trust people that seem to swing. Honestly I know 4 gay guys that play pianos for rigid Baptist Church's and are not out. It is just part of the political landscape that makes homosexual looks like we are ashamed of something. On and I forgot.. ( The Catholic Church ) enough said?


  • Name: Mikkel Grandjean
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 4:45 PM
    Hometown: Aalborg, Denmark

    Comment:

    Observing from the side lines in Europe now, after I had to leave with my partner James in 2005, this whole election looks an awful lot like the 2000 election. I am sorry to say it, but it looks like McCain will win. It is just a feeling I get when I read the news, and the recent polls. We can not live in the US because of the anti gay union laws the US has adopted. I guess we can thank Bill Clinton for the DOMA. Yes, that really ruined it for us, and Clinton also benefitted from it. He is just an opportunistic politician like all the others. Democrats are not much better I guess than Republicans. Hope things get better for us all one day.


  • Name: Roger Burr
    Date posted: 2008-09-08 4:13 PM
    Hometown: Marble Hill, MO

    Comment:

    I hope the Log Cabin Republicans are reading this! If they still feel the LGBT community has a future with the Republican Party; this should settle their hash, once and or all. I deplore the Governors policy reversal, but it is indicative of Republicans; they move with the political winds of the moment; ethics and stated policies be damned. GOD HELP US if John McCain gets elected.


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