Bush urges ban on gay marriage

Bush urges ban on gay marriage
Last Updated Sat, 03 Jun 2006 19:48:36 EDT
CBC News

U.S. President George W. Bush on Saturday called again for a
constitutional amendment in his country to ban gay marriage.
George W. Bush blamed 'activist judges' for changes to the definition
of marriage. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/Associated Press)

"Unfortunately, activist judges and some local officials have made an
aggressive attempt to redefine marriage in recent years," Bush said in
his weekly radio address.

"An amendment to the constitution is necessary because activist courts
have left our nation with no other choice," he said.

Bush said he believed marriage should be defined as a union between
one man and one woman.

"Marriage cannot be cut off from its cultural, religious, and natural
roots without weakening this good influence on society," he said.

A vote on the proposed amendment is scheduled next week in the U.S.
senate, but it is not considered likely to pass.

An amendment to the U.S. Constitution needs to pass both houses of
Congress with a two-thirds majority, and needs the approval of 38
states.

Bush made a similar call to ban gay marriage more than two years ago
in February 2004.

"Attempts to redefine marriage ... could have serious consequences,"
he said at the time.

Gay marriage has emerged as a contentious issue in U.S. courts in recent years.

Bush noted that voters in 19 states have approved amendments to their
state constitutions aimed at protecting the traditional definition of
marriage.