HRC
Takes Issue With President Bush
White House Calls Sen. Santorum an ‘Inclusive Man’
Despite Discriminatory Remarks Linking Homosexuality to Incest
Human
Rights Campaign, April 25, 2003
Contact: David M. Smith
Phone: (202) 216-1547
Cell: (202) 251-1447
Contact: Mark Shields
Phone: (202) 216-1564
Cell: (202) 258-3667
WASHINGTON—The Human Rights
Campaign took issue today with President Bush’s assertion that Sen. Rick
Santorum, R-Pa., is, “an inclusive man.” In an Associated Press article
earlier this week, Santorum linked homosexuality with incest.
“We strongly take issue with the President and his
assertion that Sen. Santorum is in any way inclusive of this country’s gay
community. In his 2000 campaign, the President said he was a ‘uniter, not a
divider.’ Sen. Santorum’s remarks are deeply discriminatory and are
antithetical to bringing people together. If this is how the President defines
inclusion, then it clearly calls into question the depth of compassion in his
conservatism,” said HRC Executive Director Elizabeth Birch.
In December 2002, Sen. Trent Lott made remarks at Sen.
Strom Thurmond’s 100th birthday party that that many interpreted as
supporting segregation. In response to Lott’s statements, President Bush
said, “We must continue our advance toward full equality for every citizen,
which demands the guarantee for civil rights for all.”
“The real question before us right now, is whether or
not the President actually supports inclusion and equality, or if it is simply
something that is convenient from time to time,” said Birch. “President
Bush should directly address the substance of Santorum’s anti-gay
comments.”
Republican Senators Lincoln Chafee, Susan Collins, Gordon
Smith and Olympia Snowe have all criticized Sen. Santorum’s remarks. In
addition, the Republican Unity Coalition, whose officials include former
President Gerald Ford and Mary Cheney, The Republican Maintstreet Partnership
and the Log Cabin Republicans have also spoken out against the statements.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian
and gay political organization with members throughout the country. It
effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the
public to ensure that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans can be
open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
-30 -
[Home] [News] [Lawrence
v. Texas] [Santorum] [Spreading
Santorum]
