Rudy Giuliani Changes Tune on Civil Unions

Presidential hopeful Rudolph Giuliani has made a sharp departure from his previously stated stance on civil unions and has spoken out in opposition to a civil union law passed by the New Hampshire state Senate.

"Mayor Giuliani believes marriage is between one man and one woman. Domestic partnerships are the appropriate way to ensure that people are treated fairly," the Giuliani campaign said Thursday in a written response to a question from the New York Sun.

"In this specific case the law states same sex civil unions are the equivalent of marriage and recognizes same sex unions from outside states. This goes too far and Mayor Giuliani does not support it."

The New Hampshire law is titled, "An act permitting same gender couples to enter civil unions and have the same rights, responsibilities, and obligations as married couples."

Previously Giuliani had made no secret of his support for civil unions. In February 2004, he told Fox News’ Bill O'Reilly, when asked if he supported gay marriage, "I'm in favor of . . . civil unions."

And in 1998, then-New York City Mayor Giuliani signed into law a domestic partnership bill that a gay rights group, the Empire State Pride Agenda, praised as setting "a new national benchmark for domestic partner recognition."

Regarding Giuliani’s change of position, the Sun observed: "Despite Mr. Giuliani's long history of supporting gay rights — or rather, because of it — yesterday's statement is likely to lead many to question whether the former mayor is concerned that his socially liberal record and positions aren't flying in the Republican primary. While he still holds a commanding lead in the national polls, he has taken a hit over the last month or so after reiterating his support for the public funding of abortion.”

Among other leading presidential candidates, Mitt Romney opposes the New Hampshire measure; Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards support it; and John McCain has taken no position, saying the civil unions issue is a matter of states’ rights.