Sioux City, Ia. - Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden on Saturday discussed gay rights related to health care, civil unions and the military at a campaign stop in Sioux City.
Biden, speaking to an estimated 100 supporters at an early morning breakfast, said coverage under his proposed health care plan, or any universal plan, must be guaranteed as a constitutional right to all citizens, regardless of their sexual orientation.
Biden added that he supports civil unions but not marriage for same-sex couples. He added that he does not think "it is the responsibility of the government to be able to define for a religious-based organization what constitutes a marriage."
The issue of gay marriage heated up in Iowa recently after a ruling from a Polk County district judge struck down Iowa's ban on same-sex marriage. The ruling is on hold pending a state Supreme Court appeal, although two men were able to get married in Des Moines.
The Delaware senator also said he feels the military's current "don't ask, don't tell" policy related to gay service members is a "bizarre" one. The military's major responsibility is to keep high standards, he said.
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070916/NEWS09/709160333