Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann on
Thursday became the first presidential candidate to sign an anti-gay
marriage pledge, the
Des
Moines Register
reported.
The
pledge, announced Thursday by the Iowa-based Christian
conservative group The Family Leader, asks 2012 candidates to
“vigorously” oppose marriage equality, be faithful to their own
spouse, vow to protect women and children from pornography and reject
Sharia law because it is a “form of totalitarian control.”
The pledge ironically also asks
candidates to have “Respect for the marital bonds of others.”
A footnote in the document suggests
being gay is a choice.
Bachmann, who
in 2004 as a Minnesota senator sponsored a constitutional amendment
to ban gay marriage in the state, signed the pledge on Thursday.
An aide of the candidate, Alice Stewart, told the paper that Bachmann
had no qualms about signing the pledge.
“She has been married for over 30
years and has a strong marriage and faith,” Stewart said.
A spokesman for former Minnesota
Governor Tim Pawlenty said he is reviewing the document.
The White House offered no comment.