Civil Unions For Arizona In 2010? And, John And Ellen, For Old Times Sake

Arizona, one of three states last month that amended their constitution to ban same-sex marriage, may be looking at a ballot initiative to allow civil unions in 2010. 

Tuscon Citizen reports:

“Steen Lawson, co-founder of Marriage Equality USA’s new Arizona chapter, said civil unions don’t go far enough. His group wants same-sex couples to have the same rights as heterosexual couples who wish to marry.

“Since government uses the word marriage, we must fight for marriage,” Lawson said.”

Former presidential candidate, Arizona Senator John McCain has repeatedly stood against gay marriage. In 2006 he supported a civil union bill because it did not afford any government protections or benefits to gay couples. Via Arizona Congress Watch:

“On ABC’s “This Week,” host George Stephanopoulos asked [John] McCain why he supported [Arizona Proposition 107], saying it “actually denied any government benefits to civil unions or domestic partnerships. Are you against civil unions for gay couples?”

First McCain said: “No, I’m not.”

“I think that initiative did allow for people to join in legal agreements such as power of attorney and others,” he said. “I think that there was a difference of opinion on the interpretation of that constitutional amendment in Arizona.”

“So you’re for civil unions?” Stephanopoulos asked.

“No,” he said. “I do not believe gay marriage should be legal. I do not believe gay marriage should be legal,” he repeated. “But I do believe that people ought to be able to enter into contracts, exchange powers of attorney, other ways that people have relationships can enter into.”

Later, he came back: “I just want to point out again: I believe that gay marriage should not be legal. OK?””

While McCain is not walking Ellen down the aisle, here’s a walk down memory lane. Above, John McCain and Ellen Degeneres discuss gay marriage and her then impending nuptials. Aired on May 22, 2008.