Political Quotes

On the recordJuly 11, 1996
I would say, as someone who has been included in this denunciatory rhetoric, that I would be very satisfied to have people in forming their judgment listen to the words uttered by the gentleman from Oklahoma, and listen to the words of my friend, the gentleman from Massachusetts. I think we are helping people form a basis. This notion that a loving relationship between two people of the same sex threatens relationships between two people of the opposite sex, that is what denigrates heterosexual marriage. The argument that we have denigrated marriage or the institution of marriage or any other formulation says that two people loving each other somehow threatens heterosexual marriage. That is what denigrates heterosexual marriage.
Said by
Barney Frank
Democratic · Massachusetts

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the rhetoric surrounding same-sex relationships and its impact on perceptions of heterosexual marriage.

Share

More from Barney Frank

Jul 11, 2016

The Supreme Court says we have a right to be married. There is no Federal legislation and in many States no other legislation that protects us against discrimination.

congress.gov
Jul 11, 2016

Just as I would say if you say you'd believe in racial discrimination or religious discrimination, any time you are at an agency that's in charge of protecting and enforcing constitutional rights and you express your view that that…

congress.gov
Jul 11, 2016

This is a legislative enactment that essentially says that the fact that I live in a loving committed marriage with another man is somehow a threat to other people's freedom.

congress.gov
May 15, 2025

People around the world have learned they can claim asylum and remain in the U.S. indefinitely to pursue their claims.

apnews.com

Other voices in this conversation