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Health & Fitness

Ives' Statement Regarding Comments on Redefinition of Marriage

Ives's Statement Regarding Comments Made on the Redefinition of Marriage

March 14, 2013-Springfield, Illinois - It is unfortunate that certain comments I made recently in regards to the redefinition of marriage on a Catholic radio program have been misinterpreted.

I understand there is disagreement over the issue of whether or not to redefine marriage but it is unfortunate that political opponents have attempted to redefine or purposely misinterpret my views on this important matter by pulling two comments out of an approximately 20 minute discussion. 

I have made my position very clear but for the purposes of additional clarity, let me restate it:

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Like millions of Americans of all partisan stripes including in the Illinois House, including in the nearly three dozen states that have rejected the redefinition of marriage by popular referenda, I properly understand the institution of marriage and the word "marriage" to be defined as the union between one man and one woman. I have no comment on a person's sexual orientation or personal relationships. That is their private business and I have no interest in meddling in a person's private affairs. 

I have simply made statements in defense of the attack on marriage from certain vocal constituencies who seek to redefine it out of existence. I do not believe it is the government's place to redefine marriage.

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The institution of marriage has existed for thousands of years. It predates government. In fact, government was in part created to protect the institution of marriage because of its critical importance in building civilization. Marriage is today what it has been from time immemorial, the foundation of family and thus the foundation of civilization. As a wife and mother of five, my interest, as I have previously and repeatedly expressed, is to protect the institution of marriage for future generations just as those who came before preserved it for me.

The people who disagree with me have chosen to ascribe meaning to my words that they did not have, just as they are attempting to assign a meaning to the word “marriage” that it does not have.

It is also worth noting that, currently, my position on marriage is the majority position in the Illinois House.

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