Candidates: Will Protect Homosexuals, Not Gay Marriage
Associated Press, June 10,
2004
SAN JUAN—The two main
gubernatorial candidates announced that if elected they would not favor any
initiative to support gay marriage, while their Puerto Rican Independence
Party (PIP) counter gave the idea lukewarm reaction saying “he would push
for the development of institutions for people that want to have
nontraditional families.”
The PIP’s Ruben Berrios, the Popular Democratic
Party’s (PDP) Anibal Acevedo Vila, and New Progressive Party’s (NPP) Pedro
Rossello all pledged to work for the protection of homosexual couple’s
intimacy.
“The respect for the dignity of homosexual couples
should be the norm in Puerto Rico and I am committed to protecting their
rights… as well as their right to have a domestic life. This will be part of
my government plan,” said Acevedo Vila.
However, the PDP’s candidate said that “marriage is
the union between a man and a woman. Those are the legal parameters and that
shapes my views on marriage.”
Rossello, on the other hand, said “there most be an
inalienable right to intimacy and there should be no discrimination against
anyone for their sexual preference or conduct.”
“Nevertheless, marriage is a formal, social, and legal
institution that supercedes intimacy rights,” said Rossello.
Berrios brought the discussion to the realm of political
status saying “impendent of our individual stance, it is essential that we
reject any decision imposed by the United States.”
“Any decision taken here on the matter will be subject
to the approval of the United States”, added Berrios.
Berrios said the definition of family has changed and
that government most reflect those changes in its policies and interpretation
of the law.
Although he never actually came out in support of gay
marriage, Berrios expressed that there must be a change in Puerto Rico’s
institutions.
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