Colin Powell Endorses Same-Sex Marriage

The former secretary of state says gay unions and families can be as strong as any other.
By Joyce Jones
Posted: 05/24/2012 12:30 PM EDT
Filed Under Colin Powell, Barack Obama, President Barack Obama, President Obama, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, same-sex marriage, Politics News

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell isn’t yet ready to endorse a presidential candidate, but on Wednesday evening, he endorsed same-sex marriage. Powell, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1993 when “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” was implemented, said in an interview on CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer that he has “no problem” with marriage equality and speculated that most Americans are prepared to adapt to changing times.

“As I've thought about gay marriage, I know a lot of friends who are individually gay but are in partnerships with loved ones. And they are stable a family as my family is,” Powell said. “And they raise children. And so I don't see any reason not to say that they should be able to get married under the laws of their state or the laws of the country, however that turns out. Its seems to be the laws of the state."

The retired four-star general also said that while religious institutions are entitled to not embrace what for them remains a highly controversial issue, state and federal governments are not and should treat heterosexual and gay unions equally.

"I hope everybody will just carefully look at this, and I understand the religious objections to it. But at the same time, we are a country that is open to diversity and change. And my experience with many of my gay and lesbian friends is that they form unions as strong as any other unions I've seen and raise children that are good, strong children," he said.


BET Politics - Your source for the latest news, photos and videos illuminating key issues and personalities in African-American political life, plus commentary from some of our liveliest voices.  Click here to subscribe to our newsletter. 

Videos You May Like

(Photo: Courtesy CNN)

Comments

Trends
Geography of Hate •Twitter •Monica Stephens •National News •LGBT •Wade Davis •Kyla Pratt •Lets Stay Together •Spelman College •Kirstie Bronner •Historically Black Colleges and Universities •Kristie Bronner •News •Politics News •personal finance •Barack Obama •social security •Saturday Night Live •Kanye West •Music News •Kim Kardashian •GOOD Music •Q-Tip •Melanie Fiona •Lauryn Hill •healthy eating •Weight Loss •Mo'Nique •Fitness •Health News •

How You Can Help the Victims in Oklahoma

The Red Cross, Salvation Army and more ways to give. 05/21/2013

A Snapshot of the African-American Financial Experience

Paying down debt is top priority for Blacks. 05/21/2013

Export Your Summer Jobs Search

What to know about taking a summer job overseas. 05/21/2013

Out and About: Jamie Foxx Parties in New York

Plus pics of Halle Berry, Jaden Smith, Kid Cudi and more. 05/21/2013

The Rundown: French Montana, Excuse My French

A track-by-track review of the Bronx rapper's debut LP. 05/20/2013

Bump Watch: Celebrity Pregnancy Denials

Bey, Brandy and other stars plagued by baby rumors. 05/21/2013

SEARCH

© 2013 BET Interactive, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Black Entertainment Television LLC. All rights reserved.