Kerry has strong record on gay issues
By Deb Price / The Detroit News from the Web, July 26, 2004
In 1992, a sweet-talking Democrat from a place called Hope mesmerized many of us who're gay by saying, "I have a vision, and you are part of it."
A Billy-come-lately to gay rights, Bill Clinton turned out to be like a lot of women's first husbands:
easy with promises, but iffy on delivery.
On the plus side, he signed executive orders banning discrimination against federal workers and ending security clearance rules that kept us out of sensitive jobs.
He also appointed two U.S. Supreme Court justices -- Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Stephen Breyer -- who completed the six-member majorities that twice ruled gay Americans have constitutionally protected rights.
But, outmaneuvered by foes, Clinton was cornered into signing bans on gays serving openly in the military and on federal recognition of gay married couples.
With a graying U.S. Supreme Court that could easily hand the next president three appointments, and a Congress pushing various bills to restrict lawfully married gay couples, the stakes have never been higher in a presidential election.
Now, a new Democratic suitor is wooing gay voters. And John Kerry knows that, like ex-wives who wised up after rocky first marriages, the gay community no longer throws big bucks, volunteer time and votes to anyone for just whispering what could turn out to be sweet nothings.
Fortunately, this go-round, the gay community's suitor has a very long record that speaks volumes -- in terms of gay-friendly legislation he's introduced, votes he's cast, times he's denounced anti-gay attacks, the gay people he's hired, and the friendships he's nurtured.
He was among the well-wishers at a gay couple's commitment ceremony.
As a freshman senator in 1985, he introduced a bill to ban anti-gay bias in hiring, housing and credit.
In 1993, while fellow Democratic Sen. Sam Nunn warned of gays on subs, Kerry, a decorated war hero, spoke up for the gay soldiers he'd served with.
When the Senate voted to deny married gay couples federal benefits in 1996, Kerry was one of only 14 senators to oppose the move -- and the only one up for re-election.
Like most suitors, Kerry's not perfect: He supports civil unions, but not actual marriage, for same-sex couples.
However, he opposes amending the U.S. Constitution to ban gay marriage nationwide and he supports extending federal rights and benefits, such as Social Security survivor benefits, to gay couples.
"John Kerry really gets it -- it's in his spinal cord, his DNA," says lesbian Mary Breslauer, co-chair of the Kerry campaign's huge gay outreach effort and a Kerry friend of nearly two decades.
Unlike other politicians she's worked with, she says, Kerry never needs the "Gay 101 manual."
No retired gay couple needed to be brought in to explain how they are harmed by current federal law:
He knows gay seniors. No gay parents were needed to explain how their kids could be left legally orphaned because only one parent is legally recognized:
He knows gay parents.
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee is going all-out to mobilize gay dollars, volunteers and votes.
Brochures comparing Kerry and President Bush on gay issues were distributed at 78 pride events in 22 states, including all battleground states.
Called "Pride at the Polls," the DNC has a Web tool kit to help anyone eager to support Kerry because of his gay rights record.
(See: democrats.org/glbt/pride.
Click on "issues" to reach the page with the brochure.)
The Democratic National Convention, nominating Kerry this week, is showcasing big advances:
The largest gay delegation ever -- 236 strong; the first openly gay vice chair of a national political convention, Rep. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin; and a platform that for the first time says the party pledges to "seek equal responsibilities, benefits, and protections for (gay) families."
By all measures, John Kerry is a Johnny-come-early to gay rights. And for that, the gay community hopes to pin a rainbow medal on his chest Nov. 2.
Deb Price of The Detroit News can be reached at (202) 906-8205 or
dprice@detnews.com.
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