Rick Santorum's Response Regarding Gay Rights During the Republican New Hampshire Debate

Rick Santorum: I would be a voice in speaking out for making sure that every person in America, gay or straight, is treated with respect and dignity and has the equality of opportunity. That does not mean that I would agree with certain things that the gay community would like to do to change laws with respect to marriage, respect to adoption, and things like that. So you can be respectful-- this is the beautiful thing about this country. James Madison called the first amendment, he called it the-- the-- the perfect remedy.

And that is people of all different backgrounds, diversity, opinions, faiths, can come into the public square and can be heard, and can be heard in a way that's respectful of everybody else. But just because you don't agree with someone's desire to change the law, doesn't mean you don't like them or you hate them or you want to discriminate against them. But you're trying to promote th-- (CLEARS THROAT) excuse me, promote things that you think are best for society.

And I do so. And I think if you-- if you watch the-- the town hall meetings that I've been doing all over New Hampshire, I do so in a respectful tone, I listen to the other side, I let them make their arguments, and then we do so on a very-- a very respectful way. And you know what? We may not agree. That's why we leave it open to the public to be able to elect members of Congress and the Senate and the president, who will support their idea.

Andy Hiller: What if you had a son who came to you and said he was gay?

Santorum: I would love him as much as I did the second before he said it. And I would try to do everything I can (APPLAUSE) to be as good a father to him as possible.

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[2ga14b]

@MajorEasley what a joke i AM A REPUBLICAN AND I VOTE OBAMA. NO SUCH THING AS HELL

[TheIcelandicPatriot]

@MajorEasley Do you like to travel? Im just asking because if you would go anywere in Europe and say what you just said. You would either be killed or seriously injured.

Regards. Pissed of LGBT male.

[MajorEasley]

Hey boredom corner your lucky to even able to speak so freely in other parts of the world you would be a lamp post now shut the hell up. You want to be gay queer or straight no one give a rats ass all society asks from you assholes is keep it to your selfs you richard simmons. People in othe parts of the world don't a have a crumb of bread to eat and you assholes put your sexuality before anything else is life all about being gays you scum bags pigs.

[MajorEasley]

Gays and homos can go to hell. Where they belong. I am a democrat and I vote Rick Santorum. Peace.

[BoredomCorner]

@Darkfalz79 You know, you would have an easier time convincing me you're not a bigot, if you didn't oppose gay rights, for no reason other than not liking gays.

Especially because THE CONSTITUTION SPECIFICALLY PREVENTS THAT.

[BoredomCorner]

@uncletreefrog Gay rights are the right of homosexuals to marry the people they love, adopt children, not be persecuted, etc.

As for where they are in the constitution, take a look at the 9th and 14th amendments.

[BoredomCorner]

This guy bashes gays on a regular basis, and he's preaching about treating them with respect?

Hey, Taliban Santorum, I've got news for you: YOU DON'T STEAL RIGHTS FROM PEOPLE YOU RESPECT!

[MajorEasley]

Rick for president.

[RImusclebear1]

How come not one of the many gay friends Santorum claims has made themselves known? Or is this another lie from santorum?

[pinkpuppydog92]

Respect-

1. an act of giving particular attention : consideration

2. high or special regard : esteem

3. the quality or state of being esteemed

I don't think he knows what he saying when he says he treats gays with respect.