Kerry's statement in support of marriage equality in Democratic platform

[ProSense]

Via the Washington Blade: EXCLUSIVE: 22 U.S. senators call for marriage equality plank in Dem platform

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)

“I think this is an historic moment for the Democratic Party in our commitment to equal opportunity and our opposition to discrimination. In its significance, it’s not unlike the floor fight Hubert Humphrey led at the Democratic convention in 1948 to make clear the Party’s commitment to civil rights for African Americans, but the difference is that back then we were a Party divided, whereas now I think it’s a mainstream Democratic position to care about these protections for gay Americans, and I’m proud of that. We’ve made big strides. We ended Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and that put a close to an era that one day will seem as antiquated as the days before President Truman desegregated the military. When we pass the Respect for Marriage Act, so too will the era of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act be anachronistic in a country where we don’t believe there should be any second class citizens. I support marriage equality and I think Massachusetts has taught the country an important lesson about how marriage equality can work. I was pleased to see New York and Washington follow that example. No one should be worried about a party platform that celebrates those advances.” (Whitney Smith, a Kerry spokesperson, said her boss supports Freedom to Marry’s language.)

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/03/02/exclusive-18-u-s-senators-call-for-marriage-equality-plank-in-dem-platform/

Excellent!

[Inuca]

1. Is this a change of position for him? n/t

[karynnj]

2. Not a recent one, but it is a change from 2004

Last edited Mon Mar 5, 2012, 10:02 AM - Edit history (1)

In 2004, he supported civil unions with all the federal rights of marriage - and spoke of asking for the legislation that would be needed to give all marriage rights to civil unions. Though this was further than any past nominee, it was not marriage equality. In 2008, there was an answer given at a Tufts speech, asked by a poster on Blue Mass, where Kerry did eventually agree that he was for marriage equality. This after a long answer where he stressed that his 2004 position was similar in that he did support equality of rights. ( http://bluemassgroup.com/2008/10/john-kerry-finally-supports-marriage-equality-on-record-hooray/ )

About a year ago, in an oped, he wrote of changing his position. http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-10/bostonglobe/29758838_1_gay-marriage-civil-unions-marriage-equality

I think Kerry is more religious than the average Senator and it was not thought possible to be 100% behind gay marriage and win the Presidency in 2004. Even in 2008, the younger, non-Catholic Obama took a position similar to Kerry's 2004 position - and, in fact, spoke less explicitly about the need for equal rights. I have never seen a faster change in societal values than I have seen on gay marriage. Support has grown from well under 50% to above 50% in 8 years. I am not suggesting that people's positions should be poll driven, but there is sometimes something to be said for taking a position that could find sufficient support and is a major step beyond the status quo than to support something that will fail.

As to Kerry, it is nice that he is now in a place where he can speak without nuance for equality.

[ObamaKerryDem]

3. Very happy to see this! Very well articulated by the Senator (as always) :) n/t