Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill on
Sunday endorsed gay marriage.
McCaskill, a Democrat, announced her
backing without much fanfare.
“The question of marriage equality is
a great American debate,” McCaskill
wrote in a blog post. “Many people, some with strong religious
faith, believe that marriage can only exist between a man and a
woman. Other people, many of whom also have strong religious faith,
believe that our country should not limit the commitment of marriage
to some, but rather all Americans, gay and straight should be allowed
to fully participate in the most basic of family values.”
“I have come to the conclusion that
our government should not limit the right to marry based on who you
love. While churches should never be required to conduct marriages
outside of their religious beliefs, neither should the government
tell people who they have a right to marry.”
“My views on this subject have
changed over time, but as many of my gay and lesbian friends,
colleagues and staff embrace long term committed relationships, I
find myself unable to look them in the eye without honestly
confronting this uncomfortable inequality. Supporting marriage
equality for gay and lesbian couples is simply the right thing to do
for our country, a country founded on the principals of liberty and
equality.”
“Good people disagree with me. On
the other hand, my children have a hard time understanding why this
is even controversial. I think history will agree with my children.”
According to a Democratic aide, it is
the first time the senator has publicly supported marriage equality.
She is one of only a handful of Red
State Democrats to endorse such unions.