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Related: About this forumSeven Democrats Who Are Now Under Pressure to Support Gay Marriage
http://www.thenation.com/blog/167820/seven-democrats-who-are-now-under-pressure-support-gay-marriageMore than a few high-profile Democrats have been walking the same line on gay marriage that President Obama walked until today: dutifully supporting the repeal of discriminatory measures like the militarys Dont Ask, Dont Tell Policy, and in many cases even supporting civil unionsbut stopping short of an outright endorsement of marriage equality.
But these Democrats are marching without a leader, now that the president has announced a change of heart. As Richard Kim points out, since Obama stressed that he thinks states should decide the gay marriage issue, this is a step shy of endorsing full marriage equalitybut it still suddenly places Obama to the left of many high-profile Democrats, many of whom are up for re-election this fall.
Twenty-two Democratic Senators support gay rights and are explicitly pushing for that plank to be added to the Democratic Party platform this summer, something that seems all the more likely now. But heres a quick look at some others who are probably huddled with advisers as we speak, trying to figure out if they, too, should evolve.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada
This is a big one. Re-elected in 2010 to what many believe could be his last term in the Senate, Reid has been a good advocate for LGBT Americans on many issuesunder his leadership the Senate repealed dont ask, dont tell (DADT) and rejected Republican attempts to strip LGBT protections from the Violence Against Women Act. Hes also repeatedly voted against constitutional amendments that would define marriage as between a man and a woman.
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Seven Democrats Who Are Now Under Pressure to Support Gay Marriage (Original Post)
xchrom
May 2012
OP
Reid has since indicated he is on board with Obama's statements and supports Marriage Equality
stevenleser
May 2012
#1
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)1. Reid has since indicated he is on board with Obama's statements and supports Marriage Equality
http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/senate-majority-leader-harry-reid-joins-obama-in-supporting-gay-marriage/politics/2012/05/09/39293
My personal belief is that marriage is between a man and a woman. But in a civil society, I believe that people should be able to marry whomever they want, and its no business of mine if two men or two women want to get married. The idea that allowing two loving, committed people to marry would have any impact on my life, or on my familys life, always struck me as absurd, Reid said via a statement tonight:
In talking with my children and grandchildren, it has become clear to me they take marriage equality as a given. I have no doubt that their view will carry the future.
I handled a fair amount of domestic relations work when I was a practicing lawyer, and it was all governed by state law. I believe that is the proper place for this issue to be decided as well.
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And that is the power of the President's statement. The dominoes are going to start falling in favor of Gay marriage all over the place I think.
My personal belief is that marriage is between a man and a woman. But in a civil society, I believe that people should be able to marry whomever they want, and its no business of mine if two men or two women want to get married. The idea that allowing two loving, committed people to marry would have any impact on my life, or on my familys life, always struck me as absurd, Reid said via a statement tonight:
In talking with my children and grandchildren, it has become clear to me they take marriage equality as a given. I have no doubt that their view will carry the future.
I handled a fair amount of domestic relations work when I was a practicing lawyer, and it was all governed by state law. I believe that is the proper place for this issue to be decided as well.
----------------------------------------------------------
And that is the power of the President's statement. The dominoes are going to start falling in favor of Gay marriage all over the place I think.