Vicky Hartzler trying to explain her opposition to gay marriage
Channel: personman
Date: 2011-06-29

Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) after a town hall meeting in Butler, MO, on June 29, 2011, explaining her opposition to gay marriage to Alex, a med student from the University of Missouri.

One of Hartzler's previous statements, which Alex referred to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXPIZFY3QEc

Transcript:

HARTZLER: Ok, first of all, are you guys
with the Democrats or the Republicans?

ALEX: The 2004 amendment that you...

HARTZLER: Am I going to 
see you next year?

ALEX: Well, you will when you come to Columbia.

HARTZLER: I know.

ALEX: I'll be in the front row.

HARTZLER: I just wonder, are you friendly or are you not?

DANNY: We're friendly.

ALEX: I'll ask my question and then you can figure it out.

HARTZLER: Oh no. Okay. Alright.

ALEX: The 2004 amendment to ban same-sex marriage.

HARTZLER: Oh, I'm so... I can't believe you asked me that.
It's such a surprise. 

ALEX: Yeah, it's a cause of yours.

HARTZLER: I'm just so surprised.

ALEX: So that, in combination with the statement you made earlier this month where you said...

DONNA (HARTZLER STAFFER): Are you taping? Or are you taking pictures? Video?

DANNY: Yeah, sure.

DONNA: Ok.

ALEX: ...allowing same-sex marriage would start us down a slippery slope 
toward things like sanctioned incest and bestiality. How do you think...

HARTZLER: No, no, no, you misunder.... 
That was a mis... a misunderstanding of the quote.

ALEX: Ok, so the amendment...

HARTZLER: That was really taken out of context.

ALEX: So how do you think the amendment,
how do you think that makes young people like me
who are gay feel about ourselves to come up in a society 
that to us seems like doesn't value us 
in the same way straight people are valued.

HARTZLER: We're not the ones changing the policy.
Ok, so you shouldn't feel bad at all. In two thousand...

ALEX: Why shouldn't I feel bad if there's an amendment,
if you champion an amendment prohibiting me from...

HARTZLER: Right now it has been the law of the land for a long time.
Marriage is between a man and a woman. 
All we did in 2004 is just put that in the constitution.
So we're not changing policy at all. 
And, anyway, so you shouldn't feel bad.
Anyway, It was nice to meet you guys.