Gay Marriage Divides GOP

June 3, 2009 by Personal Liberty News Desk

A major personality in the Republican Party has once again broken ranks on the issue of same-sex marriage stirring more conflict within the already divided GOP.
Former Vice President Dick Cheney said earlier this week he supports gays’ rights to marry and that states, not the federal government, should make the decision on whether to allow it.
"Freedom means freedom for everyone," Cheney said, adding, "I think people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish."
His views drew predictable criticism from the leadership of the Republican Party, with RNC chairman Michael Steele reiterating his opposition to same-sex marriage.
Stressing that Cheney brings a personal perspective to the debate, Steele said in his view marriage is between a man and a woman, which is "very much in line with what [President Obama] has said."
The GOP position has also been that marriage should be regulated at the federal level, although currently the issue of homosexual marriages is being decided on a state-by-state basis.
Currently, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Iowa allow same-sex marriages, and three more states have passed appropriate legislation which will come into effect later this year.