Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
(Image source: The Washington Post / Susan Biddle)
BY BRIANA ALTERGOTT
Former President George H.W. Bush has expressed his support for same-sex marriage — at least
for one same-sex marriage in particular.
According to his spokesperson, Bush and his wife Barbara served as official witnesses
at the same-sex wedding of two of his longtime friends, Bonnie Clement and Helen Thorgalsen,
in Maine Saturday. (Via MSNBC)
Thorgalsen was so excited about it that she posted a photo on Facebook of Bush signing
the marriage license captioned, "Getting our marriage license witnessed!" (Via Facebook
/ Helen Thorgalsen)
The newlyweds have been together for 12 years, and Clement helped raise Thorgalsen's now-adult
daughters during that time. (Via WAGA)
Clement told The Washington Post in an email, "Who would be best to help us acknowledge
the importance of our wedding as our friends and as the former leader of the free world.
When they agreed to do so we just felt that it was the next acknowledgment of being 'real
and normal.'" (Via The Washington Post)
Gay marriage became legal in Maine in December.
Quick history lesson: Gay marriage wasn't quite on the radar of presidential politics
when George H.W. was in the White House — but it came across his son's desk a few times.
(Via PBS)
A spokesperson for George W. Bush declined to comment on his feelings about same-sex
marriage and his thoughts on his father's role in the wedding —
But back in July, when he was asked about the issue, the younger Bush said he "shouldn't
be taking a speck out of someone else's eye when I have a log in my own." He later said
he just wasn't going to answer because he is out of politics. (Via The White House)
But whether or not George H.W. wanted to make a political statement on gay marriage, he
certainly made a fashion statement with his bright blue and red socks on the wedding day.
(Via CNN)