Arkansas Eagle Forum Opposes Same Sex Unions

Little Rock, AR - Eagle Forum of Arkansas today (10/24/06) voiced strong opposition to the issue of same sex civil unions while reaffirming staunch support for traditional marriage in Arkansas. "When 75 % of Arkansans voted in favor of the marriage amendment, it is difficult to comprehend why the Democratic Party removed language from their party platform regarding the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman" stated Randy Minton, chairman of Arkansas Eagle Forum.

Minton continued "Obviously the latest move regarding the issue and promotion of same sex civil unions is an effort on behalf of the democratic ticket to force the people of Arkansas to accept homosexual unions, regardless of the overwhelming majority of Arkansans opposed to it." Referring to statements to the press by democrat candidate for attorney general Dustin McDaniel that he would be supportive of same sex unions for Arkansas, Minton said "McDaniel and the entire ticket for the democrats are simply out of touch with every day people in our state when it comes to the issue of gay marriage, gay adoption and gay civil unions."

Eagle Forum President Betsy Hagan said that Arkansans "spoke with a loud and clear voice regarding the issue of gay marriages and so called same sex unions. For a statewide candidate to promote actions that would undermine traditional marriage in our state is a slap in the face of the voters. Arkansas is a conservative state with conservative values and morals; the voters are smart enough to see through this effort from left field by the Democratic Party to promote civil unions, which in fact would provide gay couples with many, if not all of the same rights and privileges that are and should be offered only to traditional married couples.

The people of Arkansas have never had a clearer choice regarding leadership in the area of protecting traditional marriage; it is simply wrong to promote acceptance of same sex civil unions. We strongly urge the voters to send a message on Election Day that we will stand strong and not yield to the liberal ideals being promoted by the democratic slate of candidates whose values are better suited to Vermont and not Arkansas."