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 In an interview taped for CNN's "State of the Union," Florida Governor Charlie Crist said that he favors a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. The move is an apparent attempt for the Republican turned Independent US Senate hopeful to woo some of the supporters of Tea Party Darling Marco Rubio (R), also running for the same Senate seat.
On Sept. 10, 2008 the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported that Crist said he supported Amendment 2, which banned gay marriage in the state, but also announced that he would not spend time actively promoting it, instead focusing on the Presidential race. "I'll support it, I'll vote for it, move on. It's not top-tier for me, put it that way," Crist stated.
While Senate Candidate Marco Rubio (R) has not issued a statement at this time on the issue of same-sex-marriage, there's little doubt where the ultraconservative politician stands on same-sex-marriage and other LGBT equality issues. Rubio was the keynote speakers for The Florida Family Policy Council's 5th Annual Public Policy Dinner on May 15, 2010. The purpose of the dinner was to honor Don Wildmon with the Daniel Webster Lifetime Achievement Award. Wildmon is the founder of the American "Family" Association, one of the most vitriolic anti-gay groups in the United States. AFA specializes in organizing "Christian boycotts" of groups and businesses that extend equal rights to members of the LGBT community. AFA also operates a fundamentalist Christian radio network and the OneNewsNow website. Most recently, Rubio came out in opposition to repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell.
US Conogressman and Democratic US Senate hopeful Kendrick Meek is the only candidate in the 3-way race who has been a long time ally to the LGBT Community. Meek's office released the following statement today in response to Crist's "State of the Union" interview with CNN's Ed Henry:
"While telling CNN that he has a "live and let live" attitude towards gay marriage today, Governor Crist reiterated his support for a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. When pressed by CNN's Ed Henry on the disconnect between the two statements, the governor responded by explaining that "everything is just a matter of degrees."
In 2006, Governor Crist endorsed Amendment 2, an amendment to the Florida constitution that was widely criticized for banning not just gay marriage in Florida but also blocking any other type of same-sex partnership. The measure also put the constitutionality of extending any domestic-partner benefits to same-sex couples in doubt. Kendrick Meek lead the fight against the measure and was featured in a television commercial opposing the amendment.
While Governor Crist has a long record opposing LGBT rights, Kendrick has been a strong defender of LGBT rights. He has been endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign, Save Dade, and Stonewall Democrats in the race for U.S. Senate.
Kendrick is the only candidate in the U.S. Senate race who has stood with Florida's LGBT community in the fight for equality."
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