May 25, 2012
Colin Powell has 'No Problem' with Same-Sex Marriage
Jason St. Amand READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Former Secretary of State Colin Powell recently told CNN in interview that he has "no problem" with gay marriage.
Powell's endorsement comes two weeks after President Obama's announcement that he supports marriage equality. Powell, who served under President George W. Bush, endorsed Obama during the 2008 presidential election but has not said who he will support this year.
"But, as I've thought about gay marriage, I know a lot of friends who are individually gay but are in partnerships with loved ones," Powell told CNN's Wolf Blitzer. "And they are as stable a family as my family is. And they raise children. And so I don't see any reason not to say that they should be able to get married."
The retired Army general supported the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" act, which prohibited gays and lesbians from openly serving in the military. But Yahoo points out the Powell was against gays from serving openly during the '90s when he was the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Powell falls in line with a number of conservatives who have endorsed gay marriage. A recent article from the Washington Times (arguably the country's most conservative newspaper) gave five reasons why marriage equality is a "conservative value." The post outlined key examples of why members of the GOP should back same-sex marriage.
The American Spectator, another right wing publication, reported that more and more Republicans are backing the issue, including Vice President Dick Cheney, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, Sarah Palin and Ann Coulter.
A few years ago Cheney said he supports same-sex marriage and Palin hinted at the idea during the repeal of the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" act. The conservative icon Ann Coulter is a member of GOProud's advisory board - a LGBT conservative organization.
Watch a clip of Powell supporting same-sex marriage below: