Newt Gingrich — an opponent of marriage equality — praised Washington state’s process of enacting same-sex marriage legislation. During a vist to the capital this morning, Gingrich explained that while “he disagrees personally with same-sex marriage,” states that have extended marriage rights legislatively — and will likely put the question on the ballot as a referendum — are “doing it the right way”:
“I think at least they’re doing it the right way, which is going through voters, giving them a chance to vote and not having a handful of judges arbitrarily impose their will,” Gingrich said when asked about the votes in Washington state and Maryland. “I don’t agree with it. I would vote no if it were on a referendum where I was, but at least they’re doing it the right way.”
The answer may concern some Republicans, who previously lashed out at Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) for similarly suggesting that New York had the right to pass marriage equality under the 10th amendment. Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) — a potential Vice Presidential pick — has expressed a similar sentiment. Marriage equality advocates strongly oppose putting a minority’s civil right up to a popular vote, however.
Gingrich is a strong opponent of LGBT rights and has previously described same-sex marriage as “a temporary aberration that will dissipate,” and an example of “pagan” behaviors.
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