Conservative commentator Bill O'Reilly
would be okay if Congress decided to repeal the Defense of Marriage
Act (DOMA).
O'Reilly, the host of Fox New's The
O'Reilly Factor, made his comments Wednesday at The Hollywood
Reporter's 35 Most Powerful People in Media Party, where the
best-selling author was among those honored.
“I think they should leave it to the
states,” O'Reilly told The
Hollywood Reporter. “I don't think the federal government
should impose it on anybody. Let the states decide the issue.”
When asked about repeal of DOMA, the
law which prevent federal agencies from recognizing the legal
marriages of gay couples, O'Reilly said that he doesn't “really
feel one way or the other about it.”
“I think it's a symbolic act, so
whatever they want to do there in Congress, fine,” O'Reilly said.
(The video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
O'Reilly first appeared to soften his
opposition to marriage equality during a discussion on the issue with
Fox News personality Megyn Kelly.
The “compelling argument is on the
side of homosexuals,” he
said, then added: “And the other side hasn't been able to do
anything but thump the Bible.”
Conservatives criticized O'Reilly for
the remarks. Radio show host Rush Limbaugh said that he had
“marginalized”
Fox News viewers.