02/14/2006
Gay Marriage, Bill Frist, William Weld, and Your Health
Galvanized by last month's ruling by a Baltimore Circuit Court judge that a 1973 law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman was discriminatory and unconstitutional, hundreds of people turned out for a rally in Annapolis sponsored by Equality Maryland.
Armed with banners, signs, contact lists, and tip sheets, many supporters met with lawmakers who are now involved in a heated debate over the issue. Dan Furmansky of Equality Maryland led the rally, speaking out against a discriminatory marriage amendment:
"It says we are not part of the provisions of the constitution; it says we are not citizens of the state of Maryland. And no matter what one thinks about the recent decision in the judiciary, it is not morally OK to change a constitution to say it applies to everybody but one group of people."
Kweisi Mfume, former president and chief executive of the NAACP, and now a Senate candidate, also spoke: "I believe the struggle at the end of the day is for equal protection for all people."
BILL FRIST: DR. DISCRIMINATION
In other gay marriage news, Senator Bill Frist is eager to start Gay Pride Month off right and get going on a renewed effort to put discrimination in the U.S. Constitution. He says he wants a Senate vote on an anti-gay marriage amendment to happen June 5th, before the Senate schedule fills up.
Harry Reid charged Frist with trying to galvanize his political base for mid-term elections with issues that are not top priority. His spokesman said: "At a time when we have so many other pressing issues facing the country, I'm not sure where this falls in the list of priorities."
HEALTH BENEFITS
Finally, researchers are touting the health benefits of gay marriage, noting the higher incidence of depression, drug abuse and cancer in the gay community:
"The report said studies had shown those who are in a stable relationship, of either the same or opposite sex, enjoyed some health benefits. It cited Swiss research which showed patients with HIV in stable partnerships were more likely to progress more slowly to AIDS. And other studies have revealed that married same sex couples had greater openness about their sexual orientation and closer relationships with their relatives than same sex couples not in civil partnerships."
Bill Frist is a doctor. How interesting that the bigot is actively working against the health of the people.
WELD MEDDLE
And finally, former Massachusetts Governor William Weld came out and said "I would veto any bill to legalize same-sex marriage in this state (New York)." Funny how things change. Weld was a supporter of gay marriage in Massachusetts in 2004 when he wasn't aspiring to run for office in the Empire State.
Demonstrators Urge Halt to Anti-Gay Marriage Bills [baltimore sun]
Same Sex Marriage Ban Draws Protest [washington post]
Frist Plans June Vote on Gay Marriage [cnn]
Gay Marriage is Good for Health [bbc]
Weld voices his right: Ban gay nups [ny daily news]
Posted 8:58 AM EST by Andy Towle in Gay Marriage | Permalink
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Happy Valentine's Day, from the Rad Right.. heh.. *deep breaths now*
Posted by: Darren | Feb 14, 2006 9:09:21 AM
I hope this will put an end to any talk of Bill Weld as a "pro-gay" "moderate" Republican. Whatever his personal views, he is just like most of the Repulican Party today -- totally willing to pander to the homophobes in order to get elected. Of course, if you've been following the stories of the fraudulent diploma mill Weld ran, or his posting of doctored news stories on his campaign website, you already know that he is not a man of integrity. Not that he has a prayer of defeating Spitzer anyway.
Posted by: Glenn | Feb 14, 2006 10:02:05 AM
I was at this rally with my boyfriend of 10 years, and I talked with a few of the delegates who represent my voting district. It is unsettling to me how many of these delegates freely admit to being against gay marriages solely because of their own religious beliefs. I was under the impression that we lived in a free state (and country) where we do not have to have other people's religious beliefs imposed upon us. I thought that there was actually such a thing as separation of church and state. I guess that all men are not truly created equally. I guess that only applies to heterosexual, Christian men.
Posted by: Bubala | Feb 14, 2006 10:04:06 AM
Bless you, Bubala, and your partner, for being among that amazing crowd who braved a winter day in Maryland to demonstrate for their/our rights. And Mfume for having the balls most in his party do not—though they still have huge ones compared to the Repugants. And for having the soul to go against most "leaders" among his race. [Yes, Junior Senator from Ill., that includes you!] As for Repugnants Frist and Weld, this should be proof that any who thought trying to keep the Party's political fires burning by kindling them with "faggots" was a passing trend were sadly wrong.
Posted by: Leland | Feb 14, 2006 10:39:57 AM
it should be heard loud and clear that the defense of our civil right to marry came from Sen. Reid who valiantly argued that of all the issues facing the country, gay marriage just doesn't rate high enough to fight over.
Brothers and sisters, if that's not a clear enough indication of how we pull with our so-called allies, then we're suckers enough for what we get. As a progressive, we've just about got no place left to turn. Drastic times, meet drastic measures...
Posted by: resurrect | Feb 14, 2006 11:00:15 PM
>>Bill Frist is a doctor.
First, Frist is a Republican,and if he wants a shot at the presidency, he can't possibly support Gay marriage, abortion, or a ban on guns. Nobody who wants to run for president as a Republican can afford to stand up for some things, and not many who run as Democrats want to.
The presidency is probably going to go to a moderate, of either party, who supports "discussion" of the issues, not changing the laws. You can't make people vote for you. You have to encourage them, and give them hope. Let the people at least have the illusion that you might see things their way, and you can win their vote. Tell them you support their enemy, and you lose.
The President has a lot less power than a Congressional Majority. If you want change, that's the place to start.
Posted by: Jay Croce | Feb 15, 2006 12:21:47 AM