Congressman John Lewis (D-GA) statement today on gay marriage

[FreeState]

Audio at link:

http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2009/01/19/8179

Terry Gross: (At the 22:00 mark) I want to quote something that you wrote in an op-ed piece in October of 003, and this was about gay rights and the right for gay people to marry. You wrote, “I have fought too hard and for too long against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up against discrimination based on sexual orientation. I’ve heard the reasons for opposing civil marriage for same-sex couples. Cut through the distractions, and they stink of the same fear, hatred and intolerance I have known in racism and in bigotry.” …I’ve heard some African-American leaders say that it’s wrong to make a connection between the civil rights movement and the gay rights movement because discrimination against African-Americans and discrimination against gays are completely different things. And being gay and being black are completely different things. What’s your take on that?

Rep. Lewis: Well, I do not buy that argument. I do not buy that argument. And today I think more than ever before, we have to speak up and speak out to end discrimination based on sexual orientation. Dr. King used to say when people talked about blacks and whites falling in love and getting married — you know one time in the state of Virginia, in my native state of Alabama, in Georgia and other parts of the South, blacks and whites could not fall in love and get married. And Dr. King took a simple argument and said races don’t fall in love and get married. Individuals fall in love and get married. It’s not the business of the federal government, it’s not the business of the state government to tell two individuals that they cannot fall in love and get married. And so I go back to what I said and wrote those lines a few years ago, that I fought too long and too hard against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up and fight and speak out against discrimination based on sexual orientation.

And you hear people “defending marriage.” Gay marriage is not a threat to heterosexual marriage. It is time for us to put that argument behind us.

You cannot separate the issue of civil rights. It is one of those absolute, immutable principles. You’ve got to have not just civil rights for some, but civil rights for all of us.

Terry Gross: And when you say not civil rights for some, you even mean civil rights for African-Americans and for gay people too?

Rep. Lewis: Not just civil rights for African-Americans or other minorities, but civil rights also for gay people.

[babylonsister]

1. Rec'd wholeheartedly. nt

[kenny blankenship]

2. Every 2 yrs. I have the privilege of voting for John Lewis, a real Democrat.

[CurtEastPoint]

7. Me, too! I met him at Natl Airport once and shook his hand. n/t

[racaulk]

10. Me too! That's *my* Congressman!

I absolutely adore that man! He's the only point of redemption for us in terms of representation at the Federal level.

And hello to you, neighbor! :hi:

[kenny blankenship]

11. Howdy neighbor!

[kestrel91316]

29. I knew very little about him until the election. I LIKE John Lewis.

And I like how Obama greeted and hugged him FIRST when he came down the steps. Lewis nearly paid with his life to see this day, when he was working for civil rights in the 60s. What. A. Man.

[marimour]

41. Just spoke to him about a month ago at Office Depot

down the street from my House. I'm glad I get the chance to vote for him.

[MrModerate]

3. Dang! A dem who doesn't retreat into mealy-mouthed . . .

Backpedaling on the issue when asked directly. Lewis-Newsome 2016!

[Stinky The Clown]

4. Thank you, Congressman Lewis

A clarity all too rare for anyone in DC these days.

[rosesaylavee]

5. Well said. Bigotry is bigotry.

The one thing that DOES threaten heterosexual marriage is the precedent set by a state who erases a marriage, who decides it is unsound or immoral or not 'right'. What makes people forget our rule of law is based on precedent? That ruling, if California decides to do that (or has decided - haven't heard if that was happening or not yet), that law rescinding the marriages of all gays married in California WOULD set a precedent for any marriage to be rescinded by that state. And as California has sometimes led the nation in setting a tone, it is not inconceivable that other states would adopt similar laws.

Slippery slope folks. We can't let the govt tell us who can and who can't fall in love and get married. To paraphrase Billie Holliday 'Ain't nobody's business if we do.'

[AntiFascist]

17. This precedent would threaten ALL civil rights, which is why it should get overturned n/t

[rosesaylavee]

20. Agreed.

It's that argument the rwingers use that somehow allowing gays and lesbians to marry would negatively effect heterosexual marriages. I have never understood the logic or even the illogic of that one. But this is one way it would threaten and the nuts are doing it themselves. But irony, like a lot of deeper level thinking processes is lost on them.

[Maven]

6. Sad that Rep. Lewis' clearly stated, honorable and compassionate views would be attacked

by a certain crew here on DU.

Thanks for posting. K/R

[MNBrewer]

8. IBTL

I'm sure it's coming.

About time we had some Dems who put their principles ahead of short term "let's just get through the next election cycle" thinking.

[hulklogan]

9. A Democrat who will wholeheartedly stand up for GLBT civil rights is like a four leaf clover.

Or at least that's how it feels after yet another day in GD P.

Thank you for posting this.

[Libertyfirst]

12. John Lewis is a man to match our mountains. n/t

[CreekDog]

13. Such a clear statement. I caught this tonight on the radio tonight too.

"I fought too long and too hard against discrimination based on race and color not to stand up and fight and speak out against discrimination based on sexual orientation."

:applause:

[xchrom]

14. recommend -- so if he isn't thrown out next election cycle

for those statements -- then ANY BODY can/ could embrace the same and be elected.

[Shiver]

22. Sadly,

that's not completely true in some parts of the country.

Edit: Kicked and recommended, by the way. Love John Lewis :fistbump:

[bluedawg12]

15. Up lifting. Thanks for posting this.

"And you hear people “defending marriage.” Gay marriage is not a threat to heterosexual marriage. It is time for us to put that argument behind us."

Excellent!

[Jamastiene]

16. It's good to know there are is one good Democrat left.

I like the idea of one who stands on their principles and sticks to what they believe in. It's about time SOMEBODY did that.

[AntiFascist]

18. K&R ! Congressman Lewis gets it! n/t

[ColbertWatcher]

19. Not just for some, but for all. Thank you for posting. k+r, n/t

[chill_wind]

21. "It is one of those absolute, immutable principles." K & R

[progressoid]

23. Let's hope his sentiment becomes contagious in Washington

[Kajsa]

24. Congressman Lewis understands the true

definition of civil rights.

He was there when MLK gave his ' I Have A Dream' speech.
He learned from the King, what truly constitutes justice and equality..

Civil rights pertains to all people,
not some.

This sums up how I feel,also

"Individuals fall in love and get married. It’s not the business of the federal government, it’s not the
business of the state government to tell two individuals that they cannot fall in love and get married"

Thank you, Congressman Lewis.

Thank you so much for speaking out against the thinly veiled discrimination against same sex marriage.

:applause:

[GinaMaria]

25. Good to read this today.

It is a strong and just statement.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

26. beautifully stated

"I’ve heard the reasons for opposing civil marriage for same-sex couples. Cut through the distractions, and they stink of the same fear, hatred and intolerance I have known in racism and in bigotry.”

[defendandprotect]

27. John Lewis is wonderful -- truthteller and true Democrat --

[Jankyn]

28. Bravo! K&R N/T

[Bluenorthwest]

30. Lewis, what a guy!

He just says what is. No fuss, no muss. It is what it is. Love the way he talks!

[DissedByBush]

31. I still do not see the equivalence

They banned interracial marriage because they didn't want the races mixing. They did not want the white race to be "tainted" by the black race, and they didn't want mixed race "blacks" (the racist "cross between a white man and a negro is a negro" rule by which most call Obama black) running around thinking they were as good as whites.

The article is right in that gay marriage isn't a threat to heterosexual marriage. It doesn't affect heterosexuals at all. That itself ends the interracial marriage comparison because that was about "protecting" the white race and the power of whites.

[Occulus]

47. It is a nearly identical struggle and a nearly 1:1 comparison

How can you be so blind?

"They banned interracial marriage because they didn't want the races mixing."

They don't want homosexuals mixing with "normal" people. Keep in mind, unlike blacks, they used to institutionalize us.

"They did not want the white race to be "tainted" by the black race, and they didn't want mixed race "blacks" (the racist "cross between a white man and a negro is a negro" rule by which most call Obama black) running around thinking they were as good as whites."

They do not want us dirty fags "tainting" their pure breeder children, and they already don't think we're as good as heterosexuals.

"That itself ends the interracial marriage comparison because that was about "protecting" the white race and the power of whites."

Well, no, because they often used biblical rhetoric to justify their racism, just as they use biblical rhetoric to "protect" breeder society from us radical faggots.

There are lots and lots of parallels, and I utterly reject the asinine notion that the roots of the discrimination are so dissimilar as to be considered wholly different topics. After all, if the difference between gay and straight were immediately visible to all, the exact same methods of discrimination would have been used, if not far, far worse.

In fact, I will say with certainty that gay people are hated far more today than black people ever were, and the only reason worse hsa not been visited upon us is because the difference is invisible.

If a "gay mark" were to start appearing tomorrow, we would all be horrified at the treatment that would ensue. and the suffering would be far worse than backs in this country ever imagined experiencing for themselves.

This country fucking hates us. Haven't you figured that out yet?

[DissedByBush]

50. As I've said before

I've always had a problem understanding the depths of bigotry. I've had a lot of gay friends* and I guess I just can't understand the hate.


* Even in the Army, so take that Clinton! I considered it kind of an honor that someone would reveal to me information that could get them kicked out. It's nice to have that level of trust. It was especially fun to know that the big bad-ass manly-man advanced scout sergeant in one unit was gay. HA! Watching the bigots talking crap about gays while praising this guy for being such an excellent soldier. Sweet.

[hippywife]

49. None of us are free

if one of us chained, none of us are free.

As along as one group of people are enslaved to the ideals of another, freedom doesn't exist at it's fullest.

[DissedByBush]

52. I've had exactly the same sentiment

But applied to both sides of the aisle.

Bigots and racists just piss me off, plain and simple. Subhuman scum. I don't care which direction it goes. To me one is equally a scumbag racist if one voted for Obama because he's "African-American" as if one voted against him for the same reason. MLK, the content of your character.

Anything from the Christian right enrages me to no end. Their platform is based on forcing their ideals on us all.

PC people or right-wing spin doctors telling me how to speak is a harbinger of tyranny. 1984, control the speech to control the thought. You are truly not free if you are not free in thought.

Gun grabbers telling me I can't be trusted with guns tempts me to show them one of the reasons the Founders recognized that natural right in the Second Amendment.

Gay people telling me I'm a homophobe unless I am pro-gay. WTF happened to, again, seeing people for the content of their character? How can I possibly be pro-gay if I don't give a damn what your sexual orientation is? I'll promote your rights but not your sexuality because the latter is irrelevant.

The list goes on.

As long as any of the above are in any position of power or influence you are right. Nobody is truly free.

Apologies for the rant.

[hippywife]

55. Oh, I see...

a libertarian. :eyes:

[DissedByBush]

66. Libertarians think government shouldn't help anybody

Their view of government is every man for himself, no view of the people getting together as government to promote the common welfare.

[AntiFascist]

59. I'm not asking that you be "pro-gay", in fact you are free to harbor personal prejudice

if you so please...all I ask is that you acknowledge why marriage equality is so important to many of us, and why a separate but equal solution is not the best solution, ultimately.

[DissedByBush]

67. No prejudices here

I know why marriage equality is important. I just don't equivocate it with the black struggle. It's like how too many people try to equivocate their oppression with Jews under Hitler. I don't believe a movement should hitch its righteousness onto others. It should be able to survive on its own merits.

For pro-gay I am not talking about all gay people. There is a subset of the gay community that believes you are a homophobe to some degree if you don't actively promote homosexuality itself. These are the ones who already had an ally in me but pissed me off because of their overzealous position. I will fight against people like that who are as quick to use pejoratives against anyone who doesn't hold their exact same beliefs as the right-wing Christians who would oppress them.

I will still stand by people who want the law to be blind to their sexuality.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

32. Hear hear!

:applause:

[gauguin57]

33. I can't imagine what this man, whose head was bashed in as he walked for civil rights ...

... is thinking today as he watches MLK's dream becoming reality.

[bullwinkle428]

34. Many DUers could learn an awful lot from John Lewis!

K&R!

[tosh]

35. One more K & R!

[FourScore]

36. K&R

[Orsino]

37. "...and that is why he could never be president, kids."

But maybe one day America will be ready.

[FreeState]

40. New Study Shows Pro-Marriage Legislators Win Elections

Lets put that equality denying lie to rest shall we?

http://www.freedomtomarry.org/press_center/new_study_shows_pro-marriage_legislators_win.php

"New York, January 12, 2009 — Contrary to some political expectations, voting to support the freedom to marry and opposing anti-marriage measures helps rather than hurts politicians, a new study unequivocally shows.

For many years legislators across the country have voted on laws aimed at ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage. Others have been asked to vote on state constitutional amendments aimed at discriminating against same-sex couples and their children by denying them the freedom to marry and other legal protections.

A review of all of these votes from 2005 to the present shows that legislators who vote to end marriage discrimination for same-sex couples are consistently re-elected. The success of more than 1,100 state legislators who voted to support the freedom to marry stands in bold contrast to the commonly held belief that supporting marriage equality ends political campaigns and careers. In fact, these legislators are re-elected no matter what party they represent or if they changed their vote from opposing to supporting marriage equality. Even better, legislators who run for higher office win after voting in favor of marriage for same-sex couples.

“The American people deserve leaders who aren't afraid to lead.” said Evan Wolfson, executive director of Freedom to Marry and author of Why Marriage Matters: America, Equality and Gay People's Right to Marry. “For politicians, standing up for marriage equality is not touching a third-rail, rather, it is a track to re-election – and, happily, the path toward inclusion that America is traveling.”"

[Lugnut]

38. Damn straight.

Thank you Rep. Lewis.

[AtheistCrusader]

39. Worth a Kick & R

[Chovexani]

42. John Lewis is a national treasure

I have so much respect for him.

[The Doctor.]

43. Well said.

I can't say how many times I've asked the homophobes and fundies to explain how same sex marriage will harm anyone. Invariably, the argument boils down to the concept of marriage 'changing'. When I ask how that hurts anyone, they just go full circle again.

[Brucie Kibbutz]

44. Obviously Congressman John Lewis

is an honorable man and a great American. :patriot:

[2QT2BSTR8]

45. Happy to be K&R #100!

[awoke_in_2003]

46. k&r. nt

[Name removed]

48. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Omaha Steve]

51. Another

K&R!

[1776Forever]

53. "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

And -

Coretta Scott King on Gay Rights
Posted on: February 7, 2006
by Ed Brayton

http://scienceblogs.com/dispatches/2006/02/coretta_scott_king_on_gay_righ.php

(snip)

Mrs. King spoke often to gay rights groups and always spoke out strongly for gay rights. In 1998, just a few days before the 30th anniversary of her husband's assassination, she noted the obvious similarities:

"Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood."

She also noted that her husband believed that all struggles for equal rights were bound together and that it was necessary to fight against bigotry in all forms, not merely the form that affected you personally:

"We are all tied together in a single garment of destiny...I can never be what I ought to be until you are allowed to be what you ought to be," she said, quoting her husband. "I've always felt that homophobic attitudes and policies were unjust and unworthy of a free society and must be opposed by all Americans who believe in democracy."

And she pointed out that many gays and lesbians had fought for black civil rights, demanding that blacks return the favor:

"Gays and lesbians stood up for civil rights in Montgomery, Selma, in Albany, Ga. and St. Augustine, Fla., and many other campaigns of the Civil Rights Movement," she said. "Many of these courageous men and women were fighting for my freedom at a time when they could find few voices for their own, and I salute their contributions."

But perhaps her most eloquent statement on the subject came in 1994, again invoking the words of her late husband in support of equal rights for all:

"For too long, our nation has tolerated the insidious form of discrimination against this group of Americans, who have worked as hard as any other group, paid their taxes like everyone else, and yet have been denied equal protection under the law...I believe that freedom and justice cannot be parceled out in pieces to suit political convenience. My husband, Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." On another occasion he said, "I have worked too long and hard against segregated public accommodations to end up segregating my moral concern. Justice is indivisible." Like Martin, I don't believe you can stand for freedom for one group of people and deny it to others."

.........

Yes, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, and Coretta Scott King's strong and clear voices for freedom and equality will be sorely missed. I know that in their hearts Coretta and Martin knew that "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." And I for one will always be grateful for these wonderful dedicated brilliant people. Thank you John Lewis (D-GA, I know you would make Martin proud!

[Divine Discontent]

58. WORD! :)

:applause:

[bertman]

54. It's Reps like John Lewis who are going to make President Obama's push for equal rights

for all a successful endeavor. How can anyone argue with Representative Lewis' eloquently stated arguments against discrimination against gays?

[Toasterlad]

60. They Don't Argue. They Reframe the Argument, Or They Ignore.

We will have equal rights one day, but it won't happen on Obama's watch, or any other currently "viable" political candidate.

Good ones like Lewis and Kucinich are the very rare exception to the all-consuming rule: being a politician means being a coward with no personal convictions worth defending.

[MNBrewer]

61. Recommend this Post!!!

Yes, so true.

[bertman]

63. You may be right but I think you underestimate the progress that's going to be made.

So, while you two are wallowing in your negativity the rest of us will continue to work toward the goal of full equality for all.

[Toasterlad]

64. Being Pragmatic Doesn't Mean Surrendering

It just means you learn not to pin your hopes on every bright smile who comes along promising change, and delivers nothing but more of the same.

When Obama submits - or even SIGNS - a significant piece of pro-gay legislation, I will gladly admit I was wrong. Until then, I'll keep fighting for my rights without expecting anything but opposition from him.

[bertman]

68. As well you should, Toasterlad; however, I think you are making an opponent out of

an ally.

I don't want to rehash this argument so I'll just say that I know that we both want President Obama to bring forward legislation to give full equality to gays under the law. I'm more hopeful and you're less hopeful. But we're both working to make it happen.

Don't give up. I won't either.

[The Brethren]

69. Very true.

I will keep working towards equality for gay Americans, but realistically, I don't see it happening anytime soon.....and not on Obama's watch.

And as Prop 8. showed us from our bigoted pals in CA -- the message is loud and clear: "Thou giveth and thou taketh", in that order.

I just wished after reading Lewis' quote that I was watching his inauguration yesterday instead.

[tbyg52]

56. Word.

:applause:

[Martin Eden]

57. Words

Very good words, and right on :thumbsup:

[tekisui]

62. tekisui meeting John Lewis. I am in awe of this man!

[The Brethren]

65. Wow!! What a terrific surpise to find.

I am not familiar with Senator Lewis. But I am absolutely astounded that a politician of either party - dems or republicans, actually understands that we're being discriminated against and why this is wrong. But above all, I'm amazed at his courage to say that publically. I'm especially happy to read this today after watching Obama's inauguration and feeling angry, not excited....like the good democrat I'm suppose to be.

Senator John Lewis has my utmost respect!