WOW! I watched the convention

[CaTeacher]

with a (very liberal) professor who is a close friend--and we were both very impressed by Kerry's speech tonight.

My friend wanted me to pass on a message (he is not a DU member, but stated an intention to start participating here in the future).

This is from his e-mail to me:

I loved it but have one small yet nagging disappointment...I was much chagrined to hear no mention of the gay marriage issue which the rw has so viciously targeted in recent days. Sincerely hope with all my heart that this is not an early indication that the demo ticket plans to abandon or downplay advocacy of our gay brothers and sisters during the upcoming campaign in an effort to pander to the reactionary rw anti-gay, anti-progressive forces that are out there lying in wait.


I must say that I heartily and sincerely agree with him--Kerry is looking better every day--but I do hope with all my heart that he does not abandon people and causes that are crucial to the integrity of the Democratic cause, just because they may be seen as "unpopular" or "wedge" issues.

Peace

[aquart]

1. Kerry doesn't support gay marriage. He's SAID that.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

2. But, he does support civil union...

<http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/news/news_2004_0311c.html>

Excerpt:

But the daughters aren't in lock step with their dad on all the issues. Gay marriage, for instance. Both women support it, while their father is against gay marriage but for civil unions. 'He's for full rights under the law, and that matters to me enormously,' Vanessa says.

[CaTeacher]

9. are there any privileges

associated with the institution of "marriage" that would not apply to people in a "civil union"?

[Bucky]

10. tuxedos

that's about it. In terms of rights they're indistinguishable. Same tax break, same health bennies, same ugly bickering squabbles.

[zaj]

3. He DID mention it!

But it was a subtle reference. During his direct comments to Bush, he asked him to stop trying to change the constitution for political purposes.

I didn't understand the reference at first, but my wife picked it up.

[pinniped]

4. I caught that and it was a great statement.

n/t

[sandnsea]

5. Exactly

We're going to take away all these hateful and divisive issues, we're not going to let America be ripped apart this way. You do not play politics with issues that affect the lives of so many Americans and Kerry isn't going to let that happen. I have every confidence he will take up the issue of gay marriage or civil unions as President and make the people see that gays and lesbians deserve the same legal and civil rights as every other citizen.

[Dem2theMax]

6. I hope it's ok to post this here.

It's from Americablog. By the time some people get around to seeing this, the story will have run off the page there. Here's a wonderful expereince John had at the convention.


Teresa Heinz rocks!
by John in DC - 3:46 PM

I just saw Teresa Heinz Kerry speak at the gay and lesbian caucus meeting, and let me tell you, this woman rocks. Screw the critics. She is fabulous. Yes, she has a brain and courage and backbone - something the men running the Republican Party find awfully threatening. Mrs. Heinz brought the house down.

She started by telling the largely-gay crowd "you are a symbol of family, you are a symbol of faith, you are a symbol of hope, you are a symbol of persistence, and you are a symbol of tolerance." (These are near exact quotes - I was jotting down quickly.) She then introduced her two drop-dead gorgeous sons, Andrea and Christopher, and told the crowd that if she were to ever find out one of her kids was gay, she would "feel as a mother free to share my joy and pride with all my friends."

But she brought the crowd to a standing ovation when she told the story of a young man who came up to her after a speech recently gave out west. The young man told her "I wish you were my mom." The crowd then laughed, and Mrs. Kerry interjected "this is actually quite serious." (Again, I'm paraphrasing.) She then explained that this man clearly did not have a mother who accepted him, and she told the crowd "If John Kerry becomes president, at the very least you will have a mom in the White House." Everyone went nuts. I still get chills when I recount the story. It was genuine, loving, and wonderful.

This woman gets it, guys. The Kerry campaign, in my view, tried very hard with today's speeches at the caucus to win over any gay doubters, and I have to tell you, they won me. The caucus rocked.


http://www.americablog.org/

After reading this I started to wonder if maybe John Kerry is more like his wife on this stand. One can hope. I'm not the guy telling him how he's going to get the most votes. We need him IN office first before he can do any of us any good. So I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that Mrs. Kerry has a huge affect on him in the GLBT area.
Have to say, I'm straight and I'm just guessing here. But I'm also hoping at the same time for ALL rights for EVERY person in America. :)

[CaTeacher]

7. that is inspiring!

It gives me some hope that Kerry will really fight for the things that matter (once we get him in office).

[Dem2theMax]

8. Yeah, I got goose bumps and tears reading it.

Feels like some HOPE there, doesn't it? Oh for the day to see EVERYONE treated equally. :)