Pro-gay McCain
supports antigay amendment

A proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage in Arizona has just gotten a big endorsement--from the state's notoriously pro-gay Republican U.S. senator, John McCain. At a Thursday night meeting with the group Protect Marriage Arizona, McCain not only endorsed the proposal, he also signed a petition to place the measure on the November 2006 state ballot.

McCain has opposed an amendment to the U.S. constitution banning same-sex marriage, saying it's an issue that should be left to the states. But in a statement, McCain said he believes that "the institution of marriage should be reserved for the union of one man and one woman."

The Arizona Human Rights Fund is fighting the amendment. Cochair Steve May said McCain is doing what he has to do politically in part because he's likely going to run for president in 2008. May said McCain's "endorsement of issues that many Arizonans consider extreme is understandable in light of the fact that he is also running for the nomination in places like South Carolina and Louisiana." May added that the extreme nature of the amendment "doesn't fit with Arizona's live-and-let-live traditions." And he said his group has a year to educate McCain and others about the "harmful effects" of the ban.

Supporters of the amendment have until July 6 to collect about 184,000 valid signatures to place it on the November 2006 ballot. If approved, it would not only ban same-sex marriage, which is already illegal in Arizona, but also prohibit any legal recognition for unmarried persons by any governmental body. (Sirius/OutQ)