Gov. Beebe opposed to same-sex marriage

Editor’s note: Roby Brock, with our content partner Talk Business, wrote this report. He can be reached at [email protected]

Gov. Mike Beebe told a crowd of nearly 200 Stonewall Democrats that he does not support same-sex marriage.

"I think that marriage is between a man and a woman," Beebe said, adding that he also was opposed to civil unions.

The crowd of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Democrats, a caucus of the Democratic Party of Arkansas, was disappointed with the Governor’s response, but the group’s leader said he appreciated Beebe’s honesty.

"He spoke from his heart and he was genuine," Eric McDaniel, president of the Stonewall Democrats, told Talk Business after the meeting. "We wanted to know where he stands."

Beebe’s appearance is the first time a sitting Governor has addressed a gay rights advocacy group. He told reporters following the talk that he thought it was important for people with different viewpoints to have open discussion.

"I’m not afraid to come tell them what I think, good and bad," said Beebe.

Initially, he discussed standard state government issues with the group, such as budget matters, Medicaid reform and prison overcrowding. During a Q&A session after his talk, Beebe fielded questions on gay marriage, discrimination in the workplace and his "evolution" on gay rights.

Beebe said that he had altered his position since 2006 on thinking that gay parents should not adopt or take on foster children. Explaining that his original position came from a troubled childhood with few male role models, he said he now thinks that each foster case should be decided on a "case-by-case" basis.

"You have to understand that people come to these positions from different places – some legitimately, some illegitimately," said Beebe.

He suggested he could be amenable to changes in the law regarding sexual orientation discrimination in the workplace. Currently, there are no provisions to guard against discrimination based on sexual preference.



"I don’t think anybody ought to be hiring or firing folks on any discriminatory basis other than whether or not they do their job right or don’t do their job right," Beebe said.



Beebe also addressed a recent controversy involving Rep. Donna Hutchinson, R-Bentonville, who complained that Beebe was "a Scrooge" and that gay and lesbian programs at the Arkansas Department of Human Services were being put ahead of foster children care.

Beebe recently insinuated that newly enacted tax cuts resulted in less funding for parents who foster children with therapy needs. DHS officials also claim no program exists for gay and lesbian services despite Hutchinson’s assertion.

"That was just hateful, what she said," Beebe told the Democratic caucus.

He also warned the group that despite their strong feelings and advocacy for change that their intolerance could work to their detriment.

"Performance is the best educator to improving the atmosphere for more tolerance. Showing respect and tolerance for those who believe different than you is a two-way street," he said.

Link here to see a video of Beebe’s comments to the media after his speech.