"It is dishonest for President Bush to ethically couple marriage recognition of American families with the permissive, slop-trough gorging on special interest money that has shamed the Bush Administration and his Republican Party," said Eric Stern, NSD Executive Director. "President Bush attempted to mislead Congress last night with his false assessment of the priorities facing our country. An ethical President would sharpen his focus on winning the War on Terror, reigning in the nuclear capacity of Iran and North Korea that has been allowed to expand during President Bush's tenure, and addressing real problems that face our nation at home. Urging Congress to devote time and federal funds to promote the initiatives of anti-gay lobbyists undermines and distracts resources from defeating terrorism and achieving a secure state for our Union."

In his address to Congress, President Bush again argued that marriage recognition for same-sex families was an obstacle to the parenting skills of American families.

"Many Americans, especially parents, still have deep concerns about the direction of our culture, and the health of our most basic institutions. They are concerned about unethical conduct by public officials, and discouraged by activist courts that try to redefine marriage," said President Bush, ethically tying marriage equality for same-sex couples to kick-back scandals that have led to the indictment of Republican House Leader Tom Delay and a senior White House official.

Anti-gay activists had lobbied the White House to include such a line in the State of the Union address. Immediately after the address, anti-gay groups like the Family Research Council took credit for the inclusion of the anti-gay language in the speech. "I am encouraged by the progress the President has made in appointing judges 'who are servants of the law' and who refuse 'to legislate from the bench,' marriage is a concern that cannot be left to the prerogative of the courts," said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins in reaction to the address.

President Bush made similar statements in his 2005 State of the Union address where he told Congress that granting marriage equality to same-sex couples deterred parents from raising "moral children."

Immediately after President Bush compared the recognition of same-sex marriage to Republican ethics scandals, Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman emailed Republican supporters in response. Mehlman urged past contributors to the Republican National Committee to sign a petition supporting the points President Bush made in his address, and to contact Congress to convey that support. The request was followed by a solicitation for "soft money" funds for the committee.

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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

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