Bob Kerrey on Gay Marriage

Summary

Senator Kelley opposed the implementation of "Don't ask, don't tell" but did so based upon security reasons. He supported removing the ban on service for homosexuals. Senator Kelley also opposed DOMA on several grounds.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

In 1993, Senator Kerrey spoke on the don't ask, don't tell policy and expressed his broader view that the ban on allowing homosexuals to serve be removed. He also argued against the implementation of the don't tell policy, but did so for many of the same reasons he opposed the ban on service for homosexuals. He expressed his view as a former SEAL that a person's sexual orientation did not affect their ability to serve. He then stated that having a policy in place that removed a serviceman based upon sexual orientation opened those people up to the possibility of being blackmailed by other countries or agencies. He argued that disclosure of sexual orientation should be the policy in the military to avoid such a scenario. Senator Kelley also stated that there was no history of establishing a military policy based upon unit cohesion, but rather based upon safety of the individual.

DOMA

Senator Kelley opposed and voted against the Defense of Marriage Act. In speaking in opposition to the legislation, Senator Kelley stated that the Defense of Marriage Act is proposed and sold as a simple measure that is limited in scope and based on common sense, but it was none of these things. He stated that DOMA was not simple because it proposed having the Federal Government intervene in matters previously reserved to the States. He went on to say that it was not limited in scope except for those of us who will be unaffected by this abridgement of rights. He finished by stating that DOMA was not based in common sense because States can already refuse to recognize marriages that violate their strong public policies.

Senator Kelley finished by stating that the law created a federal code that targeted a small group of people and that heterosexuals should be concerned by the precedent. He added that Marriage is not under attack from rising numbers of homosexual Americans who are making commitments to each other, but rather marriage is attacked when a person is too busy, too preoccupied, and too concerned about taking care of No. 1 to take care of No. 2 or 3 or 4 and that marriage is under attack in that moment when a man or woman is tempted to forget their commitment to love `until death do us part.'

 

Don't Ask, Don't Tell

On July 15, 1993 Senator Kelley spoke on the senate floor about an upcoming decision on homosexuals serving in the military.

 

Defense of Marriage Act

On September 10, 1996 Senator Kerrey spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act.

 

Voting Record

Defense of Marriage Act

In 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act passed the Senate with the support of 100% of the Republicans and roughly 2/3 of the Democrats. The bill defined marriage as a union between 1 man and 1 woman, and stated that no jurisdiction would be required to honor the marriage betweeen two men or two women which was granted in another jurisdiction. Robert Kerrey voted against the Defense of Marriage Act.

 

Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation

This representative has not been identified as sponsoring or cosponsoring significant legislation related to this title.

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