Talk show host, author and commentator
Tavis Smiley said in 2011 that he does not support allowing gay and
lesbian couples to marry.
Smiley, host of PBS' Tavis Smiley,
will expand his brand beyond politics with his participation as a
contestant in ABC's Dancing With the Stars, which premieres
September 15.
Video journalist Jeff 4 Justice
approached Smiley in 2011 at a book signing in Los Angeles for his
book Fail
Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure.
“How do you feel
about the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian people?” Smiley was
asked.
“I
believe that marriage is between a man and a woman,” Smiley
answered. “I do not agree with that particular issue. The
president's response [is] that he is evolving on that; I think the country
may be evolving on that issue. But my faith tradition says that
marriage is between a man and a woman.” (The video is embedded on
this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
On
Dancing, Smiley has
been partnered with dance professional Sharna Burgess.