Scroll To Top
Marriage Equality

Ark. AG Supports Marriage Equality

Ark. AG Supports Marriage Equality

Dustinmcdaniel

Dustin McDaniel says he'll continue to defend the state's ban on same-sex marriage in court, however.

trudestress
Support The Advocate
LGBTQ+ stories are more important than ever. Join us in fighting for our future. Support our journalism.

Arkansas attorney general Dustin McDaniel said today he supports marriage equality but will continue to defend his state's ban on same-sex marriage in court, the Associated Press reports.

"I want to tell you I do support marriage equality and I do believe Arkansans should have the right to be equal in the eyes of the law," McDaniel said in a speech at the AP managing editors convention. After the speech, he explained to an AP reporter, "I'm going to zealously defend our constitution, but at the same time I think it's important to let people where I stand on the matter."

Arkansas voters in 2004 approved an amendment to the state's constitution banning same-sex marriage. It is currently being challenged in a state court, and a ruling is expected by Friday.

McDaniel's comments make him the first statewide official in Arkansas to back marriage equality. A Democrat, he is in his last year as attorney general. He said he would not campaign for ending the ban while still in office, nor would he call for other officials to embrace his position.

trudestress
The Advocates with Sonia BaghdadyOut / Advocate Magazine - Jonathan Groff & Wayne Brady

From our Sponsors

Most Popular

Latest Stories

Trudy Ring

Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.
Trudy Ring is The Advocate’s senior politics editor and copy chief. She has been a reporter and editor for daily newspapers and LGBTQ+ weeklies/monthlies, trade magazines, and reference books. She is a political junkie who thinks even the wonkiest details are fascinating, and she always loves to see political candidates who are groundbreaking in some way. She enjoys writing about other topics as well, including religion (she’s interested in what people believe and why), literature, theater, and film. Trudy is a proud “old movie weirdo” and loves the Hollywood films of the 1930s and ’40s above all others. Other interests include classic rock music (Bruce Springsteen rules!) and history. Oh, and she was a Jeopardy! contestant back in 1998 and won two games. Not up there with Amy Schneider, but Trudy still takes pride in this achievement.