Upstream | January 31, 2011 | 40 comments

A Bush Daughter Has Endorsed Same-Sex Marriage

source: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/01/us/politics/01bush.html?_r=1&src=ISMR_HP_LO_MST_FB

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EthicalVegan
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The New York Times

January 31, 2011

Bush Child, in a Break, Endorses Gay Marriage

By MICHAEL BARBARO


The Bush dynasty is no stranger to generational conflict: father and son differed over deposing Saddam Hussein, raising taxes and the role of the United Nations.

Now it is father and daughter who find themselves at odds over a weighty issue.

Barbara Bush, one of the twin daughters of George W. Bush, will endorse same-sex marriage on Tuesday, publicly breaking ranks with a father who, as president, pushed for a constitutional amendment banning such unions.

Ms. Bush, 29, has taped a video calling on New York to legalize gay marriage. A bill to do that was defeated in the state in 2009. She describes the issue as a matter of conscience and equality.

“I am Barbara Bush, and I am a New Yorker for marriage equality,” she says in the brief message, sponsored by an advocacy group. “New York is about fairness and equality. And everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love.”

The video ends with Ms. Bush, who lives in Manhattan, imploring the state’s residents to “join us.”

Ms. Bush is the latest child of a prominent Republican leader to embrace same-sex marriage, long considered anathema to the conservative movement. Gay rights advocates have been quick to seize on the generational split as evidence that the acceptance of same-sex marriage is blind to party affiliation and family values.

Meghan McCain, the daughter of John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential nominee, has become an outspoken supporter of same-sex marriage, despite her father’s opposition to it. And Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, has forcefully backed it as well — and is widely credited with helping to persuade her father to do the same.

In the case of Mr. McCain, Mr. Cheney and Mr. Bush, it is not just their children who have supported it. So, to varying degrees, have their wives. Laura Bush, in a television interview in May, said, “When couples are committed to each other and love each other” they should have “the same sort of rights that everyone has.”

Ms. McCain, a blogger and author, has said it is unhealthy for members of political families to paper over disagreements on issues of social justice merely to project an image of harmony. “Wives and children should be able to speak their piece,” she said in a television interview last year. “I think it shows healthy dynamics within a family. We shouldn’t all think one way, and think one thing.”

Barbara Bush, who started a nonprofit group focused on global health, rarely speaks out on American political issues, making her foray into the same-sex marriage debate so striking. But for years, those close to her say, she has surrounded herself with gay friends — at Yale, where she was an undergraduate, and in New York City, where she worked in the design world.

C. Brian Smith, a friend from college who is gay, recalled that the Yale Ms. Bush inhabited was filled with openly gay students and unbothered by questions about sexuality. “She had that mind-set,” he said. “She was loved by the gay community at Yale.”

Members of the Bush family seemed uneager to discuss her entry into the marriage debate. Ms. Bush declined an interview request. A spokesman for Mr. Bush said he had no comment. Her sister, Jenna Bush Hager, a correspondent for “Today,” has not publicly discussed the topic.

The Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights group that made the video, plans to show it Saturday at an annual gala in New York City. Advocates said it would show elected officials and voters that, in many cases, young people are not following in their parents’ ideological footsteps.

“No matter what party they belong to, young Americans believe in basic fairness and equality,” said Brian Ellner, who is overseeing the Human Rights Campaign’s bid to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.
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40 comments // A Bush Daughter Has Endorsed Same-Sex Marriage

  • good_stuff
  • sarasarasara
    • +2
      sarasarasara  

    • I'm glad to see someone who is mostly represented on the right voice her opinion. It shows a lot of courage on her part - especially since she'll probably be put down for it by her father's political party members. Also, it may help other G.W. Bush fans see a different light.

      However, where was she three or four years ago? It would've been a lot more eye-opening for some people then - not so much now.

    • 1 year ago
  • unimatrix0
    • +2
      unimatrix0  

    • Bush Jr.'s statement simply reflects the generational nature of homophobia. By and large resistance to gay marriage comes from the old folks who can't let go of their bigotry towards gays.

    • 1 year ago
  • mitekillem
  • telcod
    • +1
      telcod  

    • Does this mean we can expect a wedding announcement in the near future. Now George W. giving the bride away to the other bride would be kinda interesting. Might upstage the Royal wedding upcoming.

    • 1 year ago
  • CreditFigaro
  • Stoneyroad
  • postlapsaria
  • sarasarasara
  • postlapsaria
    • 0
      postlapsaria  
    • sarasarasara:

      it's not satire, it's just to fool you heathens who don't believe in God and have been fooled into the myth of dinosaurs living millions of years ago -- duh, the world is only 6000 years old. c'mon get an education.

      sheesh, i wish Dubya was still our prez, holla!

    • 1 year ago
  • bike10
  • JanforGore
  • onemalefla
  • JanforGore
  • Angeliron
    • 0
      Angeliron  

    • Why in the HELL do you print this BULLSHIT? Is it because Ted Turner owns you? Or, do you really think what this woman thinks is important?

    • 1 year ago
  • dudefromtherock
  • artemis6
  • mikeO
  • JStation
    • +2
      JStation  

    • What runs my nerves is that these people are speaking up AFTER THE FACT. It's wonderful that Bush, Cheney, and the rest of these political has-beens are supporting gay marriage, but they're doing it when no one has to listen, and when their influence is relatively minute in contrast to a time when swaths of people would turned their heads to see them speak in past years. I'm glad that there is support, but when these people had the platform to speak out, they used it to speak out in opposition to the very ideas they are now proponents of.

      Obama will join them, as will his wife along with the Biden family... after they are out of office most likely. If we can't depend on our leaders to use the platform while they have it, they are failing to do any of us justice. If they can flip flop on gay rights, they can remain mum on hate crimes against minorities, and domestic violence, spousal and child abuse.

    • 1 year ago
  • samthesixth
  • JStation
    • +1
      JStation  
    • samthesixth:

      Cheney rarely spoke publicly on the matter. Furthermore, his support was behind the Federal Marriage Amendment, which he did not retract until the very end of his stay as VP.

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • +2
      EthicalVegan  
    • Image

    • http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/politics/NATL-Bush-Daughter-Throws-Support-Behind...

      The following is from NBC, which is a NEWS station in New York City...

      Bush's Daughter Throws Support Behind Gay Marriage
      By MICHAEL PRESTON
      Updated 1:22 AM EST, Tue, Feb 1, 2011

      Getty Images

      Barbara Bush, one of the twin daughters of former President George W. Bush, plans to endorse same-sex marriage in New York state Tuesday, setting up a high-profile split with her father on the issue.

      In a video taped for the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights group, Bush calls on the legislature to legalize gay marriage, which it did not do when a bill was presented and defeated in Albany in 2009.

      "I am Barbara Bush, and I am a New Yorker for marriage equality," she says. "New York is about fairness and equality. And everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love."

      As the clip concludes, Bush - who lives in Manhattan - urges other residents of the state to "join us."

      The Human Rights Campaign plans to show the video at its annual gala in New York this weekend, according to the New York Times.

      Like Meghan McCain and Mary Cheney before her, Bush has publicly embraced an issue that has become divisive in Republican circles and set several of the GOP's royal families at odds. While a presidential candidate in 2008, Sen. John McCain opposed gay marriage but both Meghan and her mother, Cindy, posed for the No H8 Campaign, a movement opposed to California's Proposition 8 which banned gay marriage in the state.

      Mary Cheney, the lesbian daughter of Vice-President Dick Cheney, is thought to have greatly influenced her father's thinking on the subject. He went from supporting the Federal Marriage Amendment - a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit marriage to heterosexual couples and ban civil unions and domestic partnerships - to supporting gay marriage, provided it didn't run afoul of state and federal law.

      And George W. Bush's wife, Laura, has voiced her own support for same-sex marriage, saying in a May television interview that, "When couples are committed to each other and love each other," that they should have "the same sort of rights that everyone has."

      First Published: Feb 1, 2011 12:50 AM EST

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • -1
      EthicalVegan  
    • Image

    • http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/31/AR2011013105848....

      Here is another NEWSpaper article, copied and pasted exactly as published in The Washington Post, a NEWSpaper...

      Washington Post's In Other News . . .

      Tuesday, February 1, 2011

      In Other News . . .

      l Another high-profile Republican is breaking ranks to advocate for gay marriage: former president George W. Bush's daughter Barbara. The New York Times reported late Monday that the dark-haired twin has taped a Human Rights Campaign video (to be shown at its annual gala Saturday in Manhattan) that urges New York state to legalize same-sex marriage. Bush, 29, has kept a lower profile than her author/"Today" correspondent sister Jenna Bush Hager, but recently founded the Global Health Corps, which sponsors do-gooder work in poor communities.

    • 1 year ago
  • PzLuvHappeniz
  • telcod
  • postlapsaria
    • -4
      postlapsaria  

    • not news.

      her mom supported it too, as did McCain's wife. so it's not really 'shocking political happenings'

      it's much less shocking because she doesn't matter-- she's just a citizen, didn't even really live in the white house, so her opinion doesn't speak for americans or matter to americans.

      nice sentiment, but voted down.

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • +3
      EthicalVegan  
    • postlapsaria:

      Where in hell did I write the words "shocking political happenings" in my submission, my heading, and/or my follow-up submissions? Did I write anything that is even SLIGHTLY akin to the definition of "shocking"? And, actually... did I write anything at ALL?!?!?!

      Answer: No.

      I have no idea where the heck you got your dramatic re-interpretation, since I wrote nothing whatsoever, to begin with.

      HOWEVER, I will NOW write that her opinion does, in fact, speak for THIS U.S. citizen. And it also MATTERS to this U.S. citizen. I do believe there are many other U.S. citizens who also echo her "sentiment," as you put it.

      Signed:

      U.S. Citizen

    • 1 year ago
  • postlapsaria
    • -3
      postlapsaria  
    • EthicalVegan:

      i didn't say YOU wrote anything, i was just characterizing the story... as it's nothing very special so, 'meh.'

      the phrase "generational conflict" in the story does make it sound like it could cause some static... which i'm sure it doesn't/won't.

      i didn't read any of your following posts, i just read the original, and again, 'meh.'

      i said, "nice sentiment" i don't disagree with her thoughts and i'm not discounting them in the grand scheme of life, i'm simply saying no one looks to her for her opinions, she doesn't represent america is what i meant. her views on things don't do anything, they don't sway public opinion and they don't have a following, if you disagree, please show me the barbara bush following that i've somehow missed.

      sorry you took such offense to my reaction but i repeat: meh.

    • 1 year ago
  • Nephwrack
  • postlapsaria
  • EthicalVegan
    • +1
      EthicalVegan  
    • postlapsaria:

      I didn't take "such offense." I just wanted clarification. I don't like being misrepresented... even if it's seemingly unintentional. And if I WERE offended, I do believe I would have actually written that.

      I didn't post any personal responses... at least not until after I read yours. 'Til then, I'd only submitted additional news articles. And, by the way, each of the sources from which I copied and pasted, the submitted, are NEWS sources So I suppose someone felt that -- especially with, for instance, The New York Times, REPORTING this -- it was, and IS, news, so it was tagged as such (along with, I see, a couple dozen other tags).

      It seems rather silly to vote down the actual submission, since it doesn't portray a photo of a killed human child, or of mass slaughter, or of some form of abuse. It's simply a newspaper article that was submitted. Take it or leave it. Love it or leave it. [I didn't vote down YOUR comment -- just responded to it.]

    • 1 year ago
  • postlapsaria
    • 0
      postlapsaria  
    • EthicalVegan:

      i'm not voting this down because i object to it. i voted down because i don't think of it as news, so in turn, i dont think it'll elicit conversation and debate, at least not meaningful.

      it was just my opinion, and since you seemed to dislike what i said i would have assumed you voted down my comment, because to you it isn't a worthy comment... that's what the voting up or down is for-- or should be.

      my comments and votes are nothing personal or any popularity contest or anything-- just my opinion.

      if we're being honest though, just because it's in newspapers or online, it's news? heh?

      as for my "such offense" line, i guess i'll chalk it up to the fact that i READ your comment on a site without italics or bolds and it's hard to gather intent and tone-- so it seemed like you were "raising your voice" when it came to defending yourself. for my assumption, i apologize.

    • 1 year ago
  • figgdimension
  • onemalefla
  • postlapsaria
  • telcod
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  

    • http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/31/barbara-bush-endorses-marriage-equality...

      Huffington Post...

      Sam Stein

      Barbara Bush Endorses Marriage Equality

      First Posted: 01/31/11 09:37 PM Updated: 01/31/11 10:03 PM

      WASHINGTON -- One of former President George W. Bush's twin daughters became the latest in a line of younger-generation Republicans to throw her support behind gay marriage in a surprise statement released on Monday night.

      In a video cut for New Yorkers for Marriage Equality, a project of the Human Rights Campaign, former first daughter Barbara Bush fully endorses a campaign to promote marriage equality.

      "I am Barbara Bush, and I am a New Yorker for marriage equality," she says in the video. "New York is about fairness and equality. And everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love."

      During his presidency, Bush pushed a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage and has repeatedly stated his belief that marriage should be defined as between a man and a woman.

      But many in the Bush circle have been breaking rank. Barbara first publicly hinted at her position when she attended a Sept. fundraiser for the American Foundation for Equal Rights, the organization that led the court case to overturn Prop. 8 in California. The co-chair of that event was former Republican National Committee chair Ken Mehlman, who came out as gay in August and said he would be fighting for marriage equality.

      Bush's mother, Laura, has also implied that she supports same-sex marriage, saying in May, "I think that we ought to definitely look at it and debate it. I think there are a lot of people who have trouble coming to terms with that because they see marriage as traditionally between a man and a woman, but I also know that when couples are committed to each other and love each other that they ought to have the same sort of rights that everyone has."

      Barbara's statement of support is best viewed, however, through a generational lens. Sen. John McCain's daughter, Meghan, has appeared in a marriage equality ad of her own, in addition to speaking publicly at Log Cabin Republican events and urging the GOP to become more gay friendly.

      Many in the party (including former McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt) seem ready to take that step. But not all. The upcoming Conservative Political Action Committee conference has been beset with protests over its decision to include the pro-gay rights conservative group GOProud, with a number of high-profile figures refusing to attend.

      UPDATE, 10:01 p.m.: The New York Times' Michael Barbaro reports: "Barbara Bush, who started a nonprofit group focused on global health, rarely speaks out on American political issues, making her foray into the same-sex marriage debate so striking. But for years, those close to her say, she has surrounded herself with gay friends -- at Yale, where she was an undergraduate, and in New York City, where she worked in the design world."

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • Image

    • http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/01/31/daughter-of-george-w-bush-supports-same-...

      Politics Daily...

      Daughter of George W. Bush Supports Same-Sex Marriage

      Barbara Bush, one of the twin daughters of President George W. Bush and his wife, Laura, is making public her support of gay marriage, a stand that is at odds with her father's position on gay marriage.

      In a video released Monday, Barbara Bush says: "I am Barbara Bush, and I am a New Yorker for marriage equality. New York is about fairness and equality. And everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love."

      The video was produced by an advocacy group called the Human Rights Campaign as part of the New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign.

      Like many conservatives, Barbara Bush's father has spoken out against gay marriage. In a presidential debate in 2004, George Bush said: "I think it's very important that we protect marriage as an institution between a man and a woman. I proposed a constitutional amendment. The reason I did so was because I was worried that activist judges are actually defining the definition of marriage. And the surest way to protect marriage between a man and woman is to amend the Constitution."

      He has not indicated that his position has changed, but his wife said in an interview with Larry King in May, "When couples are committed to each other and love each other . . . they ought to have, I think, the same sort of rights that everyone has."

      The New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign is releasing videos of celebrities making statements in support of same-sex marriage. Among those who have made videos are Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon, Fran Drescher, Moby, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Julianne Moore and Kenneth Cole.

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • 0
      EthicalVegan  
    • Image

    • http://politicallyillustrated.com/index.php?/page/usa/2313/

      Politically Illustrated...

      Barbara Bush Endorses Same-Sex Marriage
      By: S.K. Neff Published: January 31, 2011

      SAN FRANCISCO (Politically Illustrated) – Barbara Bush, daughter to George W. Bush, will endorse same-sex marriage on Tuesday after her father pushed for a constitutional amendment banning such practices during his presidency.

      “I am Barbara Bush, and I am a New Yorker for marriage equality,” she says during an advertisement for same-sex marriage. “New York is about fairness and equality. And everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love.”

      Mrs. Bush joins Meghan McCain, the daughter to John McCain, in welcoming equal treatment to same-sex couples among conservative members in the Republican party.

      What about family differences?

      “Wives and children should be able to speak their piece,” said Ms. McCain, who is a popular columnist at The Daily Beast. “I think it shows healthy dynamics within a family. We shouldn’t all think one way, and think one thing.”

      Mrs. Bush rarely enters American political discourse after graduating from Yale, but sources say she has come to surround herself with gay friends in New York.

      “It’s her blue eyes,” Brain Masser, a resident of San Francisco, told Politically Illustrated. “What gay guy could not love those adorable blue eyes. Dah!”

      “We love everybody, but for those few, we purchase a large stick and whack them with it.”

    • 1 year ago
  • EthicalVegan
    • -1
      EthicalVegan  
    • Image

    • http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2011/01/george_w_bushs_daughter_barbar.html

      New York Magazine...

      George W. Bush's Daughter Barbara Endorses Gay Marriage

      * 1/31/11 at 10:50 PM

      Photo: Getty Images

      Bush daughter and Manhattan resident Barbara Bush is coming out—in favor of gay marriage. It's a stance that puts her at odds with her father and grandfather, nevertheless Bush has recorded a video for the Human Rights Campaign's "New Yorkers for Marriage Equality" campaign. In the brief video, Bush states: “I am Barbara Bush, and I am a New Yorker for marriage equality. New York is about fairness and equality. And everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love.”

      Barbara Bush typically keeps a relatively low political profile—but her advocacy around gay rights may have been fomented through her friendships with several gay students while at Yale. “She was loved by the gay community at Yale," said C. Brian Smith, one of Bush's openly gay Yalie friends.

      She also may have also had support from inside the Bush family. Mother Laura has hinted of her support for gay rights. "I think that we ought to definitely look at it and debate it," said Laura Bush last May. "I think there are a lot of people who have trouble coming to terms with that because they see marriage as traditionally between a man and a woman, but I also know that when couples are committed to each other and love each other that they ought to have the same sort of rights that everyone has."

      This isn't the first time members of the Bush clan have publicly disagreed with their two presidential kin. Barbara Bush, wife of George H.W. Bush, is pro-choice, unlike both her husband and son.

    • 1 year ago
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