WASHINGTON – Human Rights Campaign President Cheryl Jacques released the
following statement today in response to comments made by Massachusetts
Sen. John Kerry in the Boston Globe endorsing an amendment to the state
constitution that would deny marriage rights to same-sex couples but
allow civil unions.
“Senator Kerry’s endorsement of a discriminatory
amendment in Massachusetts is deeply disappointing,” said Cheryl
Jacques, HRC president. “Make no mistake, civil unions single out a
group of people for second-class treatment. That is discrimination, and
it does not belong in any Constitution. While we acknowledge the
Senator’s strong opposition to a federal constitutional amendment,
supporting a divisive measure in his own state is exceptionally
disheartening and frankly muddies the water on his actual position.
Candidates who say they are against marriage for same-sex couples – but
for civil unions – must clarify and affirm their support for the more
than 1,000 federal benefits, rights and responsibilities that marriage
provides but that civil unions do not.
“Marriage – not civil unions – unlocks the door to
important federal protections. Civil unions do not provide Social
Security survivor benefits – a system we pay into but that our survivors
can’t access. Civil unions do not allow an employee access to the Family
and Medical Leave Act – a law that allows an employee to take time off
of work to care for a sick loved one without fear of losing their job.
Civil unions do not ensure fair taxation on a partner’s health insurance
or retirement savings. Civil unions are not portable and are currently
recognized in only one state – Vermont. When a couple in a civil union
leaves Vermont, they are strangers under the law. This list of
protections goes on and on.”
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender political organization with members throughout the
country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and
educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest
and safe at home, at work and in the community.