Ron DeSantis on Same-Sex Marriage
TL;DR
Ron DeSantis states he respects the Supreme Court's decision legalizing same-sex marriage while affirming the church's traditional definition.
Key Points
He stated in January 2024 that he respects the Supreme Court's decision legalizing same-sex marriage, to which Florida has abided.
He has emphasized protecting religious institutions so they can uphold the biblical definition of marriage as a sacrament.
His position as a Congressman and Governor has historically aligned with a traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
Summary
Ron DeSantis has expressed a nuanced position regarding same-sex marriage, differentiating between the legal status and the religious definition. He has stated that he respects the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, and noted that Florida has abided by this ruling even though the state constitution formerly defined marriage as exclusively between a man and a woman. This acknowledgement of precedent suggests a commitment to maintaining the current legal status quo, particularly in the context of judicial reliance interests.
However, he concurrently upholds the religious view, asserting that marriage, as defined by the Church, remains a sacrament between a man and a woman. He has also voiced intentions to protect religious institutions from government mandates that might compel them to recognize or perform same-sex ceremonies against their biblical definition. His political rhetoric has historically aligned with conservative views opposing same-sex marriage, making his current public stance a form of triangulation between judicial reality and conservative religious values.
Key Quotes
In terms of the justices I would appoint, you know, they will interpret the text, history and structure of the constitution and they will do that faithfully,”
Frequently Asked Questions
Ron DeSantis currently states that he respects the Supreme Court's Obergefell decision, meaning he acknowledges the legality of same-sex marriage in Florida and the nation. However, he maintains his personal and religious belief that marriage is fundamentally a union between a man and a woman.
Yes, his public statements suggest an evolution. While his history includes supporting a constitutional amendment defining marriage traditionally, he has more recently stated he respects the SCOTUS precedent, distinguishing between civil law and church doctrine. This marks a shift from outright opposition to acknowledging the current legal reality.
When President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified protections for same-sex and interracial unions, DeSantis stated there was no need for the legislation. He suggested that critics' concerns about religious institutions were valid, focusing on protecting churches that uphold the biblical definition of marriage.
Sources6
Ron DeSantis triangulates on gay marriage question - Florida Politics
LGBTQ rights in Florida - Wikipedia
Ron DeSantis' policy on Gay Marriage - iSideWith
Challenging Florida's Parental Rights in Education Act, AKA the “Don't Say Gay” Law: Finding Equality Through Equal Protection Doctrine
Florida Voters Resoundingly Rebuke DeSantis and His Extremist Agenda
* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.