Candidates on the Issues: Gay Marriage
Debate over Amendment May be Key in Some States
Julia Redpath Buckley, NPR
After a 12-year courtship, Brent Sverdloff, left, and Craig St. Clair of Brookline, Mass., were married in May.
The Candidates on Gay Marriage
President Bush, from a July 30, 2003, press conferenceBush, in his State of the Union speech Jan. 20, 2004Bush, from comments at the White House, Feb. 24, 2003 
Sen. Kerry, from remarks in Des Moines, Iowa, Nov, 24, 2003Kerry, on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Ruling on Same-Sex Marriages (from remarks in Des Moines, Iowa, Nov, 24, 2003)Kerry, from an interview with NPR's Melissa Block aired Feb. 9, 2004As U.S. Senate leaders seek quick passage of a constitutional amendment prohibiting same-sex marriages, the issue is also shaping up to be an important factor in the 2004 presidential race.
President Bush has put his support behind the amendment. His likely Democratic challenger, Sen. John Kerry, also opposes gay marriage but does not favor the federal amendment. The controversial issue could sway the election in Ohio and other key battleground states. NPR's Tovia Smith reports.
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The Politics of Gay Marriage May 18, 2004
Gay Republicans Question Support for Bush April 19, 2004
Slate's On the Trail: Bush's Campaign and Gay Marriage Feb. 25, 2004
California High Court Weighs Gay Marriage Licenses May 26, 2004
Studies on Children of Gay Couples Spark Controversy May 24, 2004
NPR Poll: Gay Marriage Sharply Divides Likely Voters Dec. 26, 2003
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