John Kerry visiting Houston...

not on the record, but encouraging if true:

Kerry signals pro-gay marriage rights view

by Patrick Letellier
Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network

Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry said that if elected president he would support granting same-sex couples all the federal rights offered to married heterosexuals, according to a California Democratic politician who last week questioned Kerry at a San Francisco fund-raiser.

"He told me that he would grant all 1,049 federal rights to same-sex couples in whatever legal union their states recognize," Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, told the Washington Post.

"It's the first time in history that a presidential candidate has ever supported full and equal protection for same-sex couples," Leno said.

Kerry made his comments in a conversation with Leno and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., at a fund-raiser at the plush Mark Hopkins hotel last Friday, Leno said.

Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter confirmed that the conversation had taken place, and pointed out that Kerry's statements reflected his ongoing support for providing federal benefits to same-sex couples.

"He has not reviewed the over thousand benefits but stands by his commitment to equality," Cutter said.

Though Kerry has come out against a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning same-sex marriages, he has stated explicitly that he opposes gay marriage. Like other leading Democrats, Kerry is walking a fine line between supporting the rights of gay couples while showing his support for "traditional" marriage.

But his support for gay couples was called into question last week when he endorsed an amendment to the Massachusetts state Constitution banning same-sex marriages -- as long as it included a provision to honor civil unions for same-sex couples. That stance upset gay activists nationwide.

"Senator Kerry is wrong," said David Noble, president of the National Stonewall Democrats (NSD). "We're disappointed and upset that he would endorse this measure."

Kerry's pledge to grant same-sex couples all the federal rights of marriage without actually allowing them to marry is a step in the right direction, said NSD Communications Director John Marble.

"His position isn't perfect," Marble told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network. "It's not where we want him to be. However, there are few politicians that have a more progressive position."

Mable said that while the GLBT community should not settle for anything less than full marriage equality, it is important to work with politicians where they are, particularly if they are moving toward equality for GLBT people.

"It doesn't mean that we're happy with where they are or that we don't keep pushing them," Marble said. "It means we are patient with the process."

Posted March 4, 2004

 

outlaw:

Aside from superficial nods to the left or the right, Kerry holds the same basic position on gay marriage as Edwards, Dean and Bush. And they're all wrong. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was wrong too and it was a step backwards, not forward. This is too. It endorses a separate-but-'equal' brand of second class citizenship. Bush has said he wouldn't oppose tacking civil unions onto the amendment and Kerry's said he'd consider supporting the amendment if civil unions were attached. The only difference between them is they say the same things to appeal to opposite bases. But they are both wrong.

 

Federal rights is a pretty big step if Kerry means it. Kerry isn't perfect but he's been a damn good friend to the GLBT community in his 20 years of service:

1. Kerry supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R. 832) which would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into the country.

2. Kerry supports the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in Federal Hate Crimes Law. Current law does not include either, but does include race, religion and national origin.

3. Kerry supports extending the Family Medical Leave Act to same-sex couples.

4. Kerry supports gays and lesbians having the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.

5. Kerry supports the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which would allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly in the military.

6. Kerry supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act 2003. He co-sponsored ENDA in 1996.

Bush supports NONE of these issues. They are all as important or even more important that gay marriage. He and Bush may hold the same basic position on that issue but by no means does that mean they are equally supportive of GLBT Americans.

 

Thanks for that post, outlaw. I didn't know most of that. I feel a lot better about voting for Kerry now.