During the GOP Debate, Same-Sex Marriage Is Still Not a Settled Issue

251 days ago the U.S. Supreme Court told the nation that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. But minutes ago at the GOP debate, Fox News moderator Bret Baier actually asked, “DoÂ gay marriage dissenters have rights?”Â â€“ falsely suggesting same-sex marriage somehow has taken away all the rights of anti-gay Christians.

It was an absurd question but one that is a perfect hallmark of the twisted brand of journalism Fox News deploys.

Here’s how Ted Cruz answered that offensive question:

The GOPâ€™s choice for president is basically either Donald Trump or this guy. #GOPDebate pic.twitter.com/qeTxpZM0iF â€” The Democrats (@TheDemocrats) March 4, 2016

“I would leave the question of marriage to the states. I would leave the question of adoption to the states,” Cruz pandered, slamming the “five unelected judges,” who delivered “an illegitimateÂ and wrong decision.”

“There are areas that we should compromise on,” like taxation and economics, but not “the Constitution and the Bill of Rights,” Cruz said.Â “When it comes to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, I will never compromise your religious liberty.”Â

And here’s how John Kasich answered the questionÂ â€“ a blathering attempt to saddle both sides:

.@JohnKasich on same-sex marriage: â€œWe need to learn to respect each other & be a little bit more tolerant.”https://t.co/igNKbzGkMp â€” Fox News (@FoxNews) March 4, 2016

“We need to learn to respect each other and be a little bit more tolerant,” Kasich said. “If you go to a photographer to take pictures at your wedding and he says he’d rather not do it, find another photographer.” He said he had hoped after the Supreme Court ruling, “things would have settled down.” He slapped down same-sex couples for not being “tolerant” of religious extremists who want to take away their rights.

And here’s how some on Twitter responded:

‘do gay marriage dissenters have rights’ is an inane question. yes, their right is to dissent, not discriminate. #gopdebate â€” TJ Helmstetter (@TheTJHelm) March 4, 2016

Also greatly offended that we are still questioning whether I have rights. Whether it be adoption or marriage. Enough gross party #GOPDebate â€” Shawn Reardon (@ShawnReardon) March 4, 2016

Fox just asked about the “rights” of gay marriage dissenters. Huh? Rights to trample the liberty of others? #GOPDebate â€” Sandeep Jauhar (@sjauhar) March 4, 2016

“Do gay marriage dissenters have rights?” is why @FoxNews is trash. #gopdebate â€” Broderick Greer (@BroderickGreer) March 4, 2016

Fun Fact for #TedCruz: State bans on interracial marriage were overturned by the Supreme Court in 1967. #GOPDebate â€” Allen Clifton (@Allen_Clifton) March 4, 2016

Do gay marriage desenters have rights? Yes, they have the right to follow the laws of the USA. #GOPDebate â€” Debra Lynn Lazar (@debralynnlazar) March 4, 2016

I’d leave whether the races can intermar…I mean gay marriage to states. Yeah that #GOPDebate â€” Cliff Schecter (@cliffschecter) March 4, 2016

“Gay marriage dissenters”… I think the word you’re looking for is “bigots”… or “homophobes”. Or idiots. #GOPDebate â€” Billy Flanagan (@waflanagan) March 4, 2016

I love how @tedcruz bad mouths the 5-4 on marriage, but celebrates the 5-4 on his #SCOTUS case #GOPDebate #hypocrite â€” Brent (@BrentWagner) March 4, 2016

Oh, and Hillary Clinton tweeted this right after the question:

Marriage equality is the law of the land. Deal with it. #GOPdebate pic.twitter.com/gPS1BVgipl â€” Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) March 4, 2016

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