Let's look back at the essence of this country. We founded this country on the grounds of being compassionate, being equal, and if we do that, then on that principled approach to the issue, there isn't a whole lot of question or debate. If we are really the country that we hold ourselves out to be, that we are a compassionate country when it comes to human rights, then we should; there's no question here.
On March 31st, 2008. See this statement in context.