US President George W. Bush on Tuesday appeared to open the door to same-sex unions that stop short of marriage, by saying people should be able to make "whatever legal arrangements" they want as long as it is recognized by a state.
Bush made clear he would not go so far as to support gay marriage, however. He said in the interview with ABC News that he would support a constitutional amendment to "honor" marriage as between a man and a woman.
ABC reported on its Internet site that Bush said he would support a constitutional amendment "which would honor marriage between a man and a woman."
However, he also said, "The position of this administration is that whatever legal arrangements people want to make, they're allowed to make, so long as it's embraced by the state or at the state level."
Same-sex marriage emerged as a major issue last month when a Massachusetts court ruled in favor of it, prompting calls from conservatives for a constitutional amendment to say marriage could only be between a man and a woman.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Bush had not changed his position against same-sex marriage. Bush continued to support federal legislation which defines marriage as between a man and a woman and allows states to refuse to recognize any same-sex marriage performed elsewhere, he said.
"He [Bush] always said states have the right to pass their own laws, but this president is committed to doing what is legally necessary to protect the sanctity of marriage."
He said Bush would act "if there are judicial rulings that undermine the sanctity of marriage."
Bush's comments sparked concern among conservatives seeking an outright constitutional ban on gay marriage, as well as from gay-rights groups who have argued for legalizing same-sex unions.
"While I'm encouraged President Bush says he supports a constitutional amendment honoring marriage between a man and woman, I'm very concerned about his additional comments which seem to suggest the definition of marriage, which pre-dates Western civilization and the US Constitution, can be redefined at the state level," said Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council.
RSS