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My prediction is that "1049" will, within a week, become the new buzzword. Anyway, Everything I have read on Kerry suggests he is for gay "marriage" - marriage being the legal rights of the union of two individuals. The only problem is, he's had to be really careful with how he words his opinions because folks are bigoted in this country but a slight majority right now.
Thoughts?
Kerry signals pro-gay marriage rights view
Thu Mar 4, 9:26 PM ET Add Community - Planet Out to My Yahoo!
Patrick Letellier, Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network
SUMMARY: Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) said that if elected president he would support granting same-sex couples all the federal rights of marriage, according to a California Democratic politician.
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry said that if elected president he would support granting same-sex couples all the federal rights offered to married heterosexuals, according to a California Democratic politician who last week questioned Kerry at a San Francisco fund-raiser.
"He told me that he would grant all 1,049 federal rights to same-sex couples in whatever legal union their states recognize," Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, told the Washington Post.
"It's the first time in history that a presidential candidate has ever supported full and equal protection for same-sex couples," Leno said.
Kerry made his comments in a conversation with Leno and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., at a fund-raiser at the plush Mark Hopkins hotel last Friday, Leno said.
Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter confirmed that the conversation had taken place, and pointed out that Kerry's statements reflected his ongoing support for providing federal benefits to same-sex couples.
"He has not reviewed the over thousand benefits but stands by his commitment to equality," Cutter said.
Though Kerry has come out against a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning same-sex marriages, he has stated explicitly that he opposes gay marriage. Like other leading Democrats, Kerry is walking a fine line between supporting the rights of gay couples while showing his support for "traditional" marriage.
But his support for gay couples was called into question last week when he endorsed an amendment to the Massachusetts state Constitution banning same-sex marriages -- as long as it included a provision to honor civil unions for same-sex couples. That stance upset gay activists nationwide.
"Senator Kerry is wrong," said David Noble, president of the National Stonewall Democrats (NSD). "We're disappointed and upset that he would endorse this measure."
Kerry's pledge to grant same-sex couples all the federal rights of marriage without actually allowing them to marry is a step in the right direction, said NSD Communications Director John Marble.
"His position isn't perfect," Marble told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network. "It's not where we want him to be. However, there are few politicians that have a more progressive position."
Mable said that while the GLBT community should not settle for anything less than full marriage equality, it is important to work with politicians where they are, particularly if they are moving toward equality for GLBT people.
"It doesn't mean that we're happy with where they are or that we don't keep pushing them," Marble said. "It means we are patient with the process."
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If you'd like to know more, you can find stories related to Kerry signals pro-gay marriage rights view.
Thoughts?
Kerry signals pro-gay marriage rights view
Thu Mar 4, 9:26 PM ET Add Community - Planet Out to My Yahoo!
Patrick Letellier, Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network
SUMMARY: Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites) said that if elected president he would support granting same-sex couples all the federal rights of marriage, according to a California Democratic politician.
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry said that if elected president he would support granting same-sex couples all the federal rights offered to married heterosexuals, according to a California Democratic politician who last week questioned Kerry at a San Francisco fund-raiser.
"He told me that he would grant all 1,049 federal rights to same-sex couples in whatever legal union their states recognize," Assemblyman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, told the Washington Post.
"It's the first time in history that a presidential candidate has ever supported full and equal protection for same-sex couples," Leno said.
Kerry made his comments in a conversation with Leno and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., at a fund-raiser at the plush Mark Hopkins hotel last Friday, Leno said.
Kerry spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter confirmed that the conversation had taken place, and pointed out that Kerry's statements reflected his ongoing support for providing federal benefits to same-sex couples.
"He has not reviewed the over thousand benefits but stands by his commitment to equality," Cutter said.
Though Kerry has come out against a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution banning same-sex marriages, he has stated explicitly that he opposes gay marriage. Like other leading Democrats, Kerry is walking a fine line between supporting the rights of gay couples while showing his support for "traditional" marriage.
But his support for gay couples was called into question last week when he endorsed an amendment to the Massachusetts state Constitution banning same-sex marriages -- as long as it included a provision to honor civil unions for same-sex couples. That stance upset gay activists nationwide.
"Senator Kerry is wrong," said David Noble, president of the National Stonewall Democrats (NSD). "We're disappointed and upset that he would endorse this measure."
Kerry's pledge to grant same-sex couples all the federal rights of marriage without actually allowing them to marry is a step in the right direction, said NSD Communications Director John Marble.
"His position isn't perfect," Marble told the Gay.com/PlanetOut.com Network. "It's not where we want him to be. However, there are few politicians that have a more progressive position."
Mable said that while the GLBT community should not settle for anything less than full marriage equality, it is important to work with politicians where they are, particularly if they are moving toward equality for GLBT people.
"It doesn't mean that we're happy with where they are or that we don't keep pushing them," Marble said. "It means we are patient with the process."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you'd like to know more, you can find stories related to Kerry signals pro-gay marriage rights view.
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