Presidential hopeful Howard Dean, who, as Governor of Vermont, passed the United States’ first civil unions law, will speak at Trolley Barn Park in San Diego at 9:00 a.m. Friday, June 27.

The Democratic presidential candidate believes that U.S. states can probably be forced to recognize the marriages of American same-sex couples who marry in the Canadian province of Ontario, where same-sex marriage is now legal.

Dean’s remarks came during a conference call with reporters for gay newspapers.

“I support federally recognized civil unions or other arrangements that states have so that same-sex couples can have equal rights under the law,” Dean said. “As President, I can’t force Alabama or Minnesota to have a civil-unions statute.... But we can, I believe, have a court case that says you have to recognize them from other states under the contractual-reciprocity clause of the U.S. Constitution.... I assume we have reciprocity with Canada. I would imagine we would recognize ... those marriages.”

As governor, Dean signed Vermont’s groundbreaking gay civil-union law, which grants unioned same-sex couples all state-level rights of matrimony. He says his gay-friendly actions and positions, which are unprecedented for a U.S. presidential candidate, are not a liability to his campaign.

“Most Americans believe that equal rights under the law is something that is part of America,” he said. “This issue is not a liability, it is a strength, because people know I’ll stand up and do the right thing. This is not a liability for me. It will be in some places, but for the most part those folks weren’t going to vote for me anyway.

“I am the candidate that is walking the walk, not just talking the talk [on gay issues],” Dean said. “I am ... out front of the rest of the field” of Democratic candidates.

Dean also vowed to end the U.S. military’s ban on open gays and lesbians.

“I would get rid of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’” he said. “There have been gay people in the military as long as there’s been military. ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ does not serve the security issues of this country.”

Dean heaped criticism on George W. Bush for his actions on gay issues.

“We believe our country has been hijacked by the far right,” he said. “The President putting his arm around Senator Rick Santorum and saying how inclusive he was, was despicable.”

Ontario’s highest court forced legalization of same-sex marriage on June 10 and gay couples began getting married there the same day. On June 17, Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said the federal government will not appeal the ruling and will quickly rewrite federal marriage law to include same-sex couples. The rewritten laws will be submitted to the Canadian Supreme Court this month for a ruling on their constitutionality, which is expected to be favorable, then the House of Commons will vote on the legislation.

The measure is expected to pass and full same-sex marriage then will be legal across Canada, not just in Ontario, as is the case at the moment.

For more information about the June 27 rally for Howard Dean, phone (858) 829-2539.

Dean will also appear at a City Club luncheon that day at 12:00 noon at Holiday Inn On The Bay, 1355 North Harbor Drive. Admission is $25 per person, including lunch. Call (619) 687-3580 for more information or reservations.