    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1996, Book II)]
    [September 20, 1996]
    [Page 1635]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Same-Gender Marriage
    September 20, 1996

        Throughout my life I have strenuously opposed discrimination of any
    kind, including discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans. I am
    signing into law H.R. 3396, a bill relating to same-gender marriage, but
    it is important to note what this legislation does and does not do.
        I have long opposed governmental recognition of same-gender
    marriages, and this legislation is consistent with that position. The
    act confirms the right of each State to determine its own policy with
    respect to same-gender marriage and clarifies for purposes of Federal
    law the operative meaning of the terms ``marriage'' and ``spouse.''
        This legislation does not reach beyond those two provisions. It has
    no effect on any current Federal, State, or local antidiscrimination law
    and does not constrain the right of Congress or any State or locality to
    enact antidiscrimination laws. I therefore would take this opportunity
    to urge Congress to pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, an act
    which would extend employment discrimination protections to gays and
    lesbians in the workplace. This year the Senate considered this
    legislation contemporaneously with the act I sign today and failed to
    pass it by a single vote. I hope that in its next session Congress will
    pass it expeditiously.
        I also want to make clear to all that the enactment of this
    legislation should not, despite the fierce and at times divisive
    rhetoric surrounding it, be understood to provide an excuse for
    discrimination, violence, or intimidation against any person on the
    basis of sexual orientation. Discrimination, violence, and intimidation
    for that reason, as well as others, violate the principle of equal
    protection under the law and have no place in American society.

    Note: H.R. 3396, approved September 21, was assigned Public Law No. 104-
    199.