Bachmann Calls Out Paul, Romney on Gay Rights Views

In a last ditch effort to appeal to social conservatives GOP candidate Michele Bachmann went after fellow running mates Ron Paul and Mitt Romney and bashed them on their stance on gay marriage, the New York Times reported in a Dec. 27 article.

Bachmann reiterated her views on same-sex marriage and abortion at a Council Bluffs appearance in Iowa, in order to separate herself from Paul and Romney.

"Mitt Romney has defended gay marriage and even signed marriage licenses for same-sex couples and Ron Paul doesn't believe the government should protect the institution of marriage," Bachmann said. "I have a record of defending life, marriage and the family and I'll protect them as president of the United States."

Despite winning the Iowa straw poll in August, Bachmann falls behind several of her GOP competitors.

Rick Santorum also attacked Romney's views on gay marriage, EDGE reported. "So Governor Romney was faced with a choice: Go along with the court or go along with the constitution and the statute, Santorum said earlier this month at a GOP debate. "He chose the court and ordered people to issue gay marriage licenses. And went beyond that. He personally, as governor, issued gay marriage licenses."

Romney defended himself by saying that Santorum did not fully understand the events that transpired.

"The Supreme Court of Massachusetts determined that under our constitution same-sex marriage was required," Romney said. "And the idea that that somehow that was up to me to make a choice as to whether we had it or not was a little unusual."

Bachmann has been called out several times by the LGBT community for her anti-gay views while campaigning in Iowa.

In a Dec. 19 article, EDGE reported that an Iowa voter asked Bachmann to sign her "Gay-friendly Iowan sign."

As the GOP candidate signed the sign, the voter, Kathy Schnell, asked Bachmann, "I wonder if you're aware that 10 percent of the population is gay," Schnell asked. "And if you have 28 children, then 2.8 of those kids are very likely gay."

"Well, that's according to the Kinsey Report," the politician replied.

The Kinsey Report are two books by Dr. Alfred Kinsey about human sexual behavior that were published in the 40s and 50s.

Then Bachmann's husband told Schnell that her facts are wrong and that the Kinsey reports are a "myth."

Two high school students from Iowa also stood up to Bachmann and debated her on gay rights issues, EDGE reported in a Dec. 7 article.

Additionally, an 8-year-old walked up to Bachmann during a book signing and told the politician, "Miss Bachmann, my mommy's gay but she doesn't need any fixing."

When Mitt Romney was visiting New Hampshire, he went to a local dinner and sat next to Vietnam veteran, 63-year-old Bob Garon, the Associated Press reported.

Romney had no idea Garon was gay and married to his husband Bob Lemire, who was sitting in front of Garon. He asked Garon about his military service as cameramen zoomed in on the two men. Romney was caught off guard, however, when Garon began to grill the former-governor about same-sex marriage and gay rights issues.

"A veteran and a spouse would not be entitled to any burial benefits, or medical benefits, or anything that the serviceman has devoted his time and effort to his country, and you just don't support equality in terms of same-sex marriage," Garon asked.

"The Defense of Marriage Act that exists in Washington today defines benefits, whether for veterans or non-veterans as between married spouses and for me that's a man and a woman," Romney responded. "We apparently disagree on that."

Romney, however, has gone on the record saying that he would not try to bring back the Don't Ask Don't Tell Act, which prohibits military members from serve openly, EDGE reported. He made his remarks during an editorial meeting with the Des Moines Register. EDGE also reported that a new poll showed that Romney was most trusted with gay marriage, receiving 25 percent of the vote. Newt Gingrich came in second with 15 percent.