President Bush's proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriages Tuesday brought applause from religious leaders and bashing from gays, who believe he is fostering discrimination.
"I'm really, really happy that we have a president who has the same morals and values that I embrace, that Christians embrace," said James A. Miller, pastor of Gospel Light Community church in Bridgeport.
"This may be the only way we can hold onto traditional moral values because we have an out- of-control judiciary that oversteps their authority."
But gays like Maureen Mollahan of Bridgeport believe what the president did Tuesday is "propose and endorse discrimination."
"This [proposed amendment] goes against what our founding fathers meant for our Constitution to support," said Danielle Hawthorne, a gay woman from Stratford. "It will polarize the country at a time when there are far more important issues
the environment, the economy, the protection of our country "
Reaction on the streets of Bridgeport Tuesday was more muted, but equally divided.
Bush jumped into the volatile election year debate on same-sex weddings early Tuesday by explicitly proposing a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage
a move he said was needed to stop judges from changing the definition of the "most enduring human institution."
Bush, who casts himself as a "compassionate conservative," left the door open for state laws fostering civil unions as an alternative to same-sex marriages. He was immediately denounced by liberals and Democrats.
Rozanne Gates, a gay woman from Westport, called Bush's move "an act of treason." She said Bush's proposal violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
While the president proposed the amendment, he will have little role in enacting it. Before it can be tacked onto the Constitution, it must first pass both houses of Congress by a two-thirds vote. From there, it must be placed on state ballots and approved by citizens in 38 states, a process that could take a decade or more.
Already, Connecticut Reps. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, and Christopher Shays, R-4, oppose the plan.
"I think it's a tremendous mistake to be promoting an amendment to the Constitution that deals with marriage," said Shays. "There are so many pressing issues we're facing without having a national debate on this. I regret the president asking for this."
While DeLauro said she opposes gay marriage, she does support civil unions that would give partners such things as health benefits and hospital visitation rights.
"I am very reluctant to amend the Constitution to define marriage We normally leave these matters to the states," she said.
Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., scoffed at the idea of passing a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. He said that he personally favors granting gay couples the right to civil unions.
A spokeswoman for Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn. said that while the senator is opposed to gay marriage, he believes that a constitutional amendment banning it would be unnecessary and divisive.
State Rep. Michael P. Lawlor, D-East Haven, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, where gay rights legislation has originated in recent years, said Connecticut is very close to passing a civil union law.
"I think it's pretty sad that a U.S. president for the first time ever would take away rights from citizens of this country," he said. "What they're talking about is eliminating any rules that apply to same-sex couples, which is a concept that an overwhelming majority of Connecticut rejects."
Anne Stanback, president of the nonprofit Love Makes a Family, believes Bush is declaring war against homosexuals and lesbians.
"It is shameful that the president is using his office to support writing discrimination into the Constitution, a document always used to extend rights to minority groups, not to limit them," Stanback said.
She hoped that polarizing the nation would hurt Bush's re-election campaign nationally and prompt activists in Connecticut to push for new marriage or civil-union laws.
The gay rights movement recently dropped plans to push for expanded rights during the short legislative session that ends May 5, in order to gauge how the issue plays out in Massachusetts, where the state Supreme Court ordered the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples this spring.
So far only San Francisco and a county in New Mexico issue licenses for same-sex marriages. They are being challenged on legal grounds.
John Anderson of Woodbridge and Gates don't understand why anyone should care if they are allowed to marry their longtime partners.
"I wish someone could tell me how my marrying Gary [Anderson's partner of 24 years] negatively impacts on them," said Anderson.
Bishop Jay Ramirez, president of the Connecticut Coalition of Churches and head of Kingdom Life Church in Milford, cited a number of ways he said same-sex marriage affects him and others.
First, he said, if allowed, same-sex marriages would have to be discussed in public schools. This he said would affect biblical teachings in strict Christian, Muslim and Islamic families.
Anderson countered that homosexuality is already discussed in certain health courses.
Ramirez said approval of same-sex marriages could open the door to polygamists seeking the same benefits and churches being sued for refusing to marry gays.
"A constitutional amendment is necessary," said Ramirez. "State by state is not enough. We can't allow the courts to legislate."
People interviewed in downtown Bridgeport Tuesday had mixed reactions to Bush's proposal.
Denis Blanc, 32, of Bridgeport, sided with the president, citing that God created man and woman with the purpose of them forming a union. "I don't understand gay marriages," Blanc said.
But others disagreed.
"I think he is just going with his party and the people," said Mark Heithaus, 39, of Ansonia.
Heithaus, who recently retired from the Navy, believes that a bill like this is going to pass "sooner or later."
Heithaus recalled a few years ago when there was a big controversy surrounding gays in the military. Heithaus said he knew many gays and lesbians who were in the military and it made no difference to him.
"That's their choice; it is a free country," said Stefana Salomone, 41, of Milford. But she added she will still vote for Bush in November.
"I don't see anything wrong with same-sex marriages," said Glenn Kindilien, 56, an English professor at Housatonic Community College in Bridgeport. "It doesn't affect me, and people are entitled to marry whomever they want."
"I think it is wrong," said Amy Chudy, 18, from Monroe, disagreeing with the president's support. "People are going to be together anyway; they should get married if they want."
Capitol writer Ken Dixon and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
