Current Affairs

Chelsea Clinton: It is ‘fundamental’ to allow same-sex couples to marry

May 28 2013
Written by Joseph McCormick

Bill Clinton’s daughter Chelsea, has said she wants to dedicate her time towards international health efforts and towards gay rights, including equal marriage, which she said was a “fundamental human imperative”.

Chelsea Clinton made the comments to the Associated Press, during a visit to Malaysia, reiterating that she supports gay rights, and saying she wanted to devote her time to international health projects with the Clinton Foundation.

“It just seems so fundamental to me. I’m able to marry the person I wanted to marry,” Clinton said. “That’s the fundamental human imperative. Those of us who have been lucky enough should expand these rights to others.”

“My goal is always to do as much as I can in whatever area I’m working in,” she continued.

Chelsea Clinton previously tweeted to congratulate recently out NBA star Jason Collins. She said: “Very proud of my friend Jason Collins for having the strength & courage to be the first openly gay player in the NBA.”

In his acceptance speech at the GLAAD Media Awards, former US President Bill Clinton, noted Chelsea’s part in his change in stance on the issue of equal marriage.

Bill Clinton was a controversial choice for the Advocate for Change award, as he signed the Defense of Marriage Act into law during his presidency.

The US television network, NBC, earlier this year received criticism after it was revealed that it blocked advocates of equal marriage from using a pro-equality advert featuring the former First-Daughter.

A long time advocate of equal marriage, Ms Clinton, spoke at a New York benefit last year, and urged straight people to join the fight for equal marriage rights.