Texas Gov. Rick Perry: “Obviously gay marriage is not fine with me…”
by FRC Media Office
July 28, 2011
Last week in Aspen, Colorado, Gov. Rick Perry of Texas addressed New York’s new same-sex marriage law by saying “That’s New York, and that’s their business, and that’s fine with me…”
In his first interview on the issue since making those comments, Gov. Perry spoke with Family Research Council President Tony Perkins today to addresses the Aspen remarks, discuss the 10th Amendment’s application to marriage, and his support for a federal marriage amendment.
Gov. Perry commented:
“I probably needed to add a few words after that ‘it’s fine with me,’ and that it’s fine with me that a state is using their sovereign rights to decide an issue. Obviously gay marriage is not fine with me. My stance hasn’t changed.”
Listen to the rest of segment covering marriage here. The unofficial transcript follows the jump below.
To hear the complete interview with Gov. Perry, tune in Friday to Washington Watch Weekly.
For more on the marriage issue, see FRC’s documentary, “The Problem with Same-Sex Marriage.”
TONY PERKINS: You mentioned a moment ago the marriage amendment back in Texas, back in 2005 or, I think it was 2005.
GOV. PERRY: Yes sir, yes sir.
TONY PERKINS: In fact I was down there for a number of those pastors conferences. Worked with you on a couple of occasions as we were promoting that marriage amendment in Texas, so I know where you stand on the issue. But last week you were in Aspen, Colorado, at a Republican governor’s event, and you made some comments regarding New York’s recent passage of same-sex marriage. If I can, I want to quote those words from you that have been circulated, and give you a chance to respond to that.
GOV. PERRY: Sure
TONY PERKINS: You said that, “Our friends in New York six weeks ago passed a statute that said that marriage can be between two people of the same sex and you know what that is New York and that is their business and that is fine with me, that is their call. If you believe in the tenth amendment, stay out of their business”.
GOV. PERRY: Let me just, I probably needed to add a few words after “that’s fine with me” its fine with me that the state is using their sovereign right to decide an issue. Obviously gay marriage is not fine with me, my stance had not changed. I believe marriage is a union between one man and one woman.
My record as governor of Texas reflects that — a very strong commitment to defending traditional marriage, including those efforts of Texas to pass the defense of marriage act, which you were at some of those events where we were promoting the people and state of Texas to go and defend traditional values.
And I might add it overwhelmingly was adopted by seventy-five percent of Texas voters. Again, my comment reflects my recognition that marriage and most issues of the family historically have been decided by the people at the state and local level. That is absolutely the state of law under our constitution.
TONY PERKINS: Well, I agree as an author of nation’s first convent marriage law in the state of Louisiana back when I was in office. I think marriage and family policy is best dealt with at the state level. But the tenth amendment — and I am a strong supporter. I fought the federal government on a number of issues when they were trying to force us to do things.
But when you look at what’s happening on marriage, the real fear is that states like New York will change the definition of marriage for Texas. At that point the states rights argument is lost.
GOV. PERRY: Right and that is the reason that the federal marriage amendment is being offered, it’s that small group of activist judges, and frankly a small handful, if you will, of states, and liberal special interests groups that intend on a redefinition of, if you will, marriage on the nation, for all of us, which I adamantly oppose.
Indeed to not pass the federal marriage amendment would impinge on Texas, and other states not to have marriage forced upon us by these activist judges and special interest groups.
Our constitution was designed to respect states including the amendment process. That is one of the beauties and why I talk about in my book “Fed Up” that we need as a nation to get back to really respecting our constitution and the tenth amendment in particular which allows the states to impede against each other, whether it is on taxes or regulations or litigation and create the economic environment.
But the overall constitutional protection, if you will, by and how we amend our United States Constitution to reflect the values of the nation as whole is very important. Balanced budget amendment, another one of those with all of the debt ceiling talk going on right now. The balanced budget amendment and clearly telling those people in Washington, “look your spending too much money, and one way we protect your human nature, which is to say yes to special interest groups, is to prohibit you from doing that by passing a balanced budget amendment.” And I hope we’ll do that, and I hope we also pass the federal marriage amendment as well.
TONY PERKINS: Governor, we are about out of time but I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but I think I hear what you are saying. The support given what’s happening across the nation, the fear of the courts, the administration’s failure to defend the defense of marriage act.
The only and thin line of protection for those states that have defined marriage, that have been historically been defined between a man and a woman. The support of a marriage amendment is a pro-state’s rights position, because it will defend the rights of states to define marriage as it has been.
GOV. PERRY: Yes sir, and I have long supported the appointment of judges who respect the constitution and the passage of a federal marriage amendment. That amendment defines marriage between one man and one woman, and it protects the states from being told otherwise. It respects the rights of the state by requiring three quarters of a states vote to ratify. It’s really strong medicine but is again our founding fathers had such great wisdom and their wisdom is just as clear and profound today as it was back in the late eighteenth century.
TONY PERKINS: Well Governor Perry I want to thank you from taking time out of your schedule to join us on Washington Watch Radio. I look forward to being with you in Houston, Texas, in Reliant Stadium I look forward to seeing you.
GOV. PERRY: It’s going to be a great day and I look forward to being with you, God speed to you and God bless you.
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Comments
PART A: This subject is very important, because Free Speech is being curtailed if one speaks out against permitting same-sex or same-gender civil marriages. Most friendships don’t expect to be given the special government support reserved for motherhood, but the couples of homosexual behavior do – just because they feel they should also have it. Yes, there are several other kinds or types of same-sex relationships that are given all these civil benefits – something they never even asked for.
Part B: Where are the insurance companies going to get the extra funds to provide these extra benefits to same-sex couples, and where is the Federal government going to get more funds to compensate for more couples filing joint tax-returns? Civil marriage is NOT a civil right for anyone. One could say that for religious marriage, but not for civil marriage. Government sponsored marriage is legislated, and society takes the positive or negative consequences of how marriage is defined by legislatures. But simply realizing civil marriage is NOT a civil right (out of the blue), permits people to go from there and realize some lobbyists want to simply add more types of couples to the definition of civil marriage in permissive States, and Obama at the Federal level also wants to add more couples to the definition (and Federal benefits) of marriage, though he is presently trying to raise the debt limit just to be able to pay the Fed. government’s function. Rest assured the lobbyists for homosexual marriage want to put this through legislatures during a bad economy, so they can then say legislatures are supposed to be really tending to resolving the economic problems. That’s really sneaky.
You know, I was all far Perry and hoping he would be a cadidate for the Presidency but then he commanded 8th grade girls to get the vaccine by a law and I was wondering why? and then I found out that I have to pay a year’s salary to send my g-daughter to college in Texas but he pays for illegals…wish someone would clear that up for me.
Gov. Perry: “I have long supported the appointment of judges who respect the constitution and the passage of a federal marriage amendment.”
Translation: I have long supported the appointment of judges who believe that all men are created equal and the passage of a federal amendment that prohibits all men from being equal.
Gov. Perry, and come Jan. 2012 if you decide to run, your new title will be President Perry. I know in the state of Texas the people voted Gay Marriage down, but in New York the people did not get to vote on it, it was done Obama style. Please, the next time you bring up gay marriage and state rights, please explain it where people and the news media dont take it the wrong way. Rick Perry is the Right Man, in the Right place, and for the Right Reasons.
Hey Eric Martin,
All men ARE equal. They have the right to marry any woman who agrees.
If a man can marry a man, then why not a dog, a chicken, a Corvette? Don’t think that won’t be next; there is always someone who attempts to destroy boundaries. Marriage then becomes meaningless. Like it or rebel, God will arise sooner or later and judge those who abuse his design. You had better be very afraid.
How is it possible to go backwards in time? How is it possible for this country to actually consider separate rights for any group of people. Why don’t we ban inter racial marriage again?
Hold Perry to what he said and make sure when he runs he do not change his view on homosexual marriages.
Anybody is better the what we have now!
[...] an interview with Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Perry affirmed his support for amendments [...]
You are right, you will not be mandated into the public option Right away at least. Unfortunately if you read the bill it states that if you decided to Change jobs, change your health care or change your provider then you have to go to the Public Option. On top of all this, Obama clearly said in 2007? to SEIU that the single payer system may take up to 15 years to completely go into the single payer system as not all companies will go to it right away.
Same-sex marriage should NOT be decided at the state level. It should be banned nationally. What sense does it make to have different definitions of marriage as you drive around from state to state? I would like to support Rick Perry, but he doesn’t seem committed to stopping homosexual marriage as far as I can tell.
By: Krista Stone | July 28, 2011 at 2:00 pm
I admire a man who stands up for his beliefs &will not waver in the face of adversity! Hoping Rick Perry runs for Prez!