Source: news.com.au, CBS News, New Zealand Herald
Calling it "the big elephant in the room", talk show host Ellen DeGeneres went toe-to-toe with presidential hopeful John McCain on the subject of marriage equality during a polite clash on her daytime TV show. [see video clip below]
Speaking of her own forthcoming marriage to Australian actress Portia de Rossi, 35, DeGeneres said, "I'm obviously excited, and I think it's only fair and only natural."
The Republican candidate was politically polite but clashed with the comedienne during his appearance today on her television talk show when he made his feelings clear about gay marriage.
"I just believe in the unique status of marriage between man and woman," McCain, 71, said.
"And I know that we have a respectful disagreement on that issue. "
DeGeneres announced last week on her program that she plans to marry De Rossi after California's Supreme Court overturned the state's laws which had banned gay marriage.
McCain said again, as he has in the past, that he supports limited rights for gay couples.
"I believe people should be able to enter into legal agreements and I think that is something we should encourage, particularly in the area of insurance and other agreements."
DeGeneres responded that McCain's view "feels like people are saying, 'You can sit there; you just can't sit there'. It doesn't feel inclusive. It feels isolated. It feels we aren't owed the same things."
McCain says he's heard her "articulate that position in a very eloquent fashion. We just have a disagreement. And I, along with many, many others, wish you every happiness."
"So, you'll walk me down the aisle? Is that what you're saying?" she asked.
"Touché," McCain said.
The 50-year-old, whose program is one of the most popular day-time talk shows in the US, told McCain that same-sex couples deserved the opportunity to marry.
"It just feels like there is this old way of thinking that we are not all the same," she told McCain.
"We are all the same people, all of us - you're no different than I am. Our love is the same."
DeGeneres is, it's fair to say, America's most famous lesbian. For a time, she appeared to prove that gay stars must stay in the closet to protect their careers. Viewing figures for her sitcom collapsed after she came out in 1997. Fundamentalist preacher Jerry Falwell called her Ellen DeGenerate but, in retrospect, it seems clear the declining audience had more to do with the show no longer being funny.
She bounced back as one of Hollywood's most bankable presenters, occasional compere for the Oscars and host of a daytime show that has made her a star of almost Oprah Winfrey proportions. TV Guide magazine has DeGeneres and De Rossi on their Power A-list of the media's most influential couples.
A little below the A-list, other names are likely to follow DeGeneres to the (metaphorical) altar. This week the Star Trek actor George Takei - the original Mr Sulu - announced he would marry Brad Altman, his partner of 21 years. "Our California dream is reality," Takei said. "At long last, the barrier to full marriage rights for same-sex couples has been torn down. We are equal with all citizens of our state.
"With time, I know the opposition to same-sex marriage, too, will be seen as an antique and discreditable part of our history. For now, Brad and I are enjoying the delicious dilemma of deciding where, when, and how we will be married."
Unless conservative opponents succeed in a long-shot bid to have implementation of the Supreme Court ruling deferred until after the plebiscite, Californians will be voting to take away rights that are already being exercised by thousands of gay and lesbian couples, including high-profile couples like DeGeneres and De Rossi.
Full article: McCain's gay marriage clash with Ellen | NEWS.com.au
McCain Discusses The Issue of Gay Marriage With Ellen | CBS News
Ellen, you may kiss your bride | New Zealand Herald