Lest we forgot: "Kerry Backs State Ban on Marriage" was a headline Thursday in the Boston Globe.
Presidential candidate John F. Kerry said yesterday that he supports amending the Massachusetts Constitution to ban gay marriage and provide for civil unions for gay couples. In his most explicit remarks on the subject yet, Kerry told the Globe that he would support a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would prohibit gay marrriage so long as, while outlawing gay marriage, it also ensured that same-sex couples have access to all legal rights that married couples receive.
Slightly better than Bush, but only slightly. While Bush doesn't support civil unions, he hasn't condemned them. So we're left with Bush wanting to amend the federal Constitution, and Kerry wanting states to amend their own individual constitutions. No, I'm not, and will not, support Bush. But the Democrats had better get their own house in order before pontificating about the evils of gays who work within the GOP.
A side observation: if more gays had worked within the GOP, Bush would have had reason to fear alienating us. Abandoning the GOP to the religious right simply ensures that only the religious right's concerns will be taken into consideration. Leaving aside Bush, who is now unsupportable, there is a greater need than ever for moderate, conservative, and libertarian-minded gays to work to reform the Republican party, at all levels.
Fair-Minded Conservatives Oppose Anti-Marriage Amendment.
From the NY Daily News:
Senate sources said Bush will have an even tougher time winning votes there, where maverick Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is an opponent. McCain believes states should handle the issue and that it isn't appropriate to change the Constitution.
From the NY Post:
Gov. Pataki, normally a loyal ally of President Bush, yesterday broke with him over gay marriage, saying he opposes a constitutional amendment to ban it. -- [Republican] Mayor Bloomberg came out against a constitutional amendment a day earlier.
Not Surrendering.
"Gay Conservatives Fight Bush on Wedding Vow" is an LA Times headline. It may be a long, hard fight, but it's one that must be made.
By the way, IGF's co-manaing editor Jonathan Rauch (who is
neither a Republican nor a conservative) answered questions about
gay marriage and politics Thursday in a live chat on the Washington
Post's website.
Here's the transcript.
Jon says:
My answer: go state by state. Marriage is a community-based institution and works best when communities are ready for it. That helps protect against unintended consequences, while recognizing gay unions. "
Most of the conservative arguments against[same-sex marriage] are really, on unpacking, arguments for it. -- Marriage is indeed a fundamental institution necessary for societal existence and well-being. That's why gay people should be included.
The whole transcript isn't long, and is well worth
reading.