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House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Wednesday said she supports same-sex marriage and approves of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's decision to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples.
The remarks put her at odds with her party's presumed presidential nominee John Kerry but were welcomed in San Francisco, her home district.
It is the first time she has directly voiced her support for gay marriage and for Newsome. It came during an interview on Fox News. In the past Pelosi has stated her opposition to amending the US Constitution but has evaded questions on gay marriage.
As Democratic Party leader in the House, Pelosi is the highest ranking politician in the US to endorse gay marriage. Kerry believes marriage should be limited to heterosexual relationships, supports civil unions, opposes amending the US Constitution but supports an amendment to the constitution of his home state, Massachusetts.
Leaders lead.