This week is Coming Out Week on the UA campus, and gubernatorial candidates Republican Doug Ducey and Democrat Fred DuVal disagree on marriage rights for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community.

Doug Ducey

Doug Ducey, the Republican candidate for Arizona governor, told The Arizona Republic that he is a firm believer in “traditional marriage,” but also states that he is willing to “listen to all sides,” specifically those of Arizona voters.

Ducey added that if he were to be voted in as governor, his administration would “treat everyone with kindness, decency and respect” including those in the LGBTQ community.

Ducey said he believes Arizona voters have spoken out on marriage rights for the LGBTQ community and that his opinion aligned with those voters. He said he respects all Arizona voters now and will continue in the future.

He said that while opinions may differ, he realizes that “reasonable people” can disagree on marriage rights for the LGBTQ community and believes neither side should be “maligned for their beliefs.”

“The voters have spoken on this, and I respect their views both now and in the future,” Ducey told The Arizona Republic. “I believe in traditional marriage as it is defined in our state’s constitution.”

Fred DuVal

Fred DuVal, the Democratic candidate for Arizona governor, told The Arizona Republic that he is a strong supporter of marriage equality and “equal rights for all Arizonans.”

DuVal told The Arizona Republic he supports marriage equality because “everyone deserves the freedom to marry who they love.”

DuVal said many people know family and friends who have been in long, supportive and committed relationships who are denied the right to marry due to their gender. He said he believes this is a wrong and unacceptable law that should be eliminated.

DuVal told The Arizona Republic that “As governor, I’ll do everything in my power to make marriage equality a reality in Arizona.”

_______________

Follow Christianna Silva on Twitter.