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Laura Bush Demands Removal from Gay Marriage Advertisement

Laura Bush Demands Removal from Gay Marriage Advertisement

Laura Bush Demands Removal from Gay Marriage Advertisement

In a recent turn of events, former First Lady Laura Bush has publicly demanded the removal of her name and image from a campaign advertisement promoting same-sex marriage. The advertisement was produced by the Respect for Marriage Coalition, a coalition of more than 50 organizations and groups working to advance the cause of marriage equality in the United States. Here, we explore the incident and its implications for the debate on same-sex marriage.

The Ad Campaign

The advertisement in question features a video montage of several high-profile political figures, including Laura Bush, expressing support for same-sex marriage. The video includes a clip of Bush from a 2010 interview with CNN, where she is quoted as saying that same-sex couples should have the right to marry.

Bush’s Response

In a statement released to the Dallas Morning News, Bush expressed her displeasure at being included in the advertisement and demanded that her name and likeness be removed from the campaign. She went on to clarify that while she supports the cause of marriage equality, she believes that the matter should be left to the individual states to decide.

Implications for the Marriage Equality Debate

The incident has sparked discussion on the complex issue of marriage equality and the role that public figures play in promoting the cause. While the Respect for Marriage Coalition has defended their use of the Bush clip, stating that it accurately reflects her expressed beliefs on the issue, others argue that the use of Bush’s image without her explicit consent is inappropriate. Some proponents of marriage equality have criticized Bush for her limited support, noting that while she expressed support in principle, she stopped short of advocating for legal changes to support same-sex marriage.

Conclusion

The incident involving Laura Bush and the Respect for Marriage Coalition’s advertisement highlights the ongoing debate over same-sex marriage in the United States. While Bush’s support for marriage equality reflects a growing trend towards more widespread acceptance of same-sex unions, the issue remains controversial and divisive. As the debate continues, it is important to consider the rights and voices of all individuals involved, including public figures like Laura Bush, who must balance their personal beliefs with their public image and legacy.


A pro-gay marriage organization apologized to Laura Bush for including her in a recent advertisement supporting gay rights. Laura Bush formally asked to be removed from the television ad campaign that launched this past week, claiming that she never provided consent to participate in the message. In response, the support group is releasing a new advertisement this weekend to replace it.

In a formal statement, the Respect for Marriage Coalition said it was moving on “to different and new voices.”

“We utilized public comments for this advertisement from American leaders who have expressed support for same-sex marriage,” the group claimed. “We appreciate Mrs. Bush’s previous statements but are sorry she did not want to be included in our advertisement. The ad sparked a public education platform that will now shift to new and different voices that reflect the breadth and depth of our support.”

The new advertisement features a Republican former Marine, Craig Stowell, speaking on how he came to support gay marriage after learning his brother was a homosexual.

“None of us should be told we cannot marry the person we love,” Stowell claims in the advertisement while sitting with his wife, Berta. “As citizens of this country, we believe in the freedom of choice. That’s why I fought for this nation as a marine, and that’s what we believe in as Republicans. Freedom doesn’t discriminate; freedom means freedom for every American. I did not understand the importance of gay marriage, but after learning of my brother’s sexual orientation, I wanted to extend the same rights to him. He was the best man at my wedding, and I hope to be the best man at it his. It’s only right that my brother should be given the freedom to marry the individual he loves.”

Laura Bush was originally featured in the advertisement to support same-sex marriage, along with two prominent members of her husband’s former cabinet—former Vice President Dick Cheney and former Secretary of State Colin Powell.

However, on Wednesday a spokeswoman for Bush told the Dallas Morning news that the former first lady “did not approve of her inclusion in the ad, and as a result, we formally requested that the group remove her from it.”

“When couples are committed to each other, they ought to have the same rights that everyone has,” Bush says in the advertisement. The quote came from an appearance on Larry King’s CNN show in 2010.

The million-dollar television campaign is also backed by print advertisements The Washington Post and The New York Times. The advertisements are expected to air during the Sunday political talk shows.

Laura Bush is far more supportive of gay rights than her husband. In her memoir, she claims that she asked George not make gay marriage a primary issue in his 2004 reelection bid, and during the Larry King interview, Laura Bush makes it clear that she supports same-sex marriage and predicts it will be legal throughout the United States in the upcoming years.