10/17/2008
Joe Biden Expresses Opposition to Prop 8 on 'Ellen'
Joe Biden taped an episode with Ellen yesterday to air on Monday during which he reportedly expresses opposition to Proposition 8, the measure that would ban same-sex marriage in California. He repeated his opposition at a campaign fundraiser later in West Hollywood:
"At the event, Biden told IN Los Angeles magazine journalist Karen Ocamb that he opposes Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage in California. He had just finished taping an episode of 'The Ellen Show' that will air Monday, and expressed his opposition to the measure to host Ellen DeGeneres. At the vice presidential debate with Sarah Palin, Biden said that he opposes same-sex marriage. Obama holds the same position, but also has said he opposes Proposition 8, citing the fact that it would write a restriction into a state constitution. Biden plead with the crowd gathered at the $500-per-person fund-raiser at the Pacific Design Center to talk to their friends and family and 'make the case for us.' ... 'There's a great deal at stake, so my plea to you is, we have less than three weeks to go, so this is the time to focus like we never have before.'"
Last night, Biden appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Watch a clip of his appearance, AFTER THE JUMP...
Express your opposition to Prop 8 by donating HERE.
Posted 11:05 AM EST by Andy Towle in California, Ellen DeGeneres, Gay Marriage, Joseph Biden, News | Permalink
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Having been among her harshest critics here, today and in the past, I'm happy to be among the first to applaud Ellen for, according to a new story just posted by Andy, having finally done what's best: purchasing broadcast TV time to air her PSA. Hopefully, it's not too late. IF the time she bought is equal to that of the Yes on 8 fascists, she could singlehandedly turn the tide back in equality's favor and deserve our eternal gratitude.
Posted by: Leland Frances | Oct 17, 2008 2:43:57 PM
so let's recap : biden and obama staunchly oppose equal marriage rights (obama says he's too christian to support us) BUT they want marriage rights in california to remain intact... orwell would be proud.
Posted by: el polacko | Oct 17, 2008 2:52:26 PM
el palacko & Roscoe:
you guys talk as though you've been a recognizable oppressed minority for hundreds of years, and denied the right to marry. We've only been considered a legitimate minority group for a few decades. Most people, especially the Sarah Palins, don't even consider us to be in existence as mature human beings. Atleast Biden and Obama consider us to be a legitimate minority, and not just silly boys who've never grown-up-- just playing with other boys.
Ask John and Sarah what they think of us.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Oct 17, 2008 3:03:41 PM
OK here's the breakdown of this:
Joe and Obama oppose gay CIVIL unions, they don't oppose gay MARRIAGES. I had to listen closely to the wording from the debates but palin is against gay marriage period. Biden and Obama want gay marriage to be upheld and have the same rights are heterosexual marriages. with civil unions it's not recognized at all. I have several gay friends who could only have a civil union and hate the fact that they cannot get married and be recognized as a married couple with the same rights. Biden doesn't oppose gay people getting married, he wants for them to be seen as a MARRIED couple with all the rights and privileges. He did try to come out and say that but him being a politician and I guess fearing a backlash or something he came out sounding like he was against it. Palin might not oppose gay marriage too, but it sounded like she flat out said I'm against gay marriage.
I wish politicians would get that right, it's like the whole abortion thing, it's all about wording.
Posted by: Dana J | Oct 17, 2008 3:05:02 PM
Wow, how vile you are Showmethemoney! What is up your skanky ass? PROVE to me that this is not about semantics. Why don't YOU, you piece of shit, explain to the Matthew Shepards and Gwen Araujos out there that the 20 million dollars that could have been spent on educating tolerance and acceptance of queers and transgenders instead went to help out mostly privileged white people. Oh, that's right, you can't! Because they're DEAD! Murdered because our leaders would rather focus on semantics rather than education.
And what I do or don't do for my community here in the Castro of SF is none of your damn business. I am quite satisfied with the service I do for my community, where it's most crucial! I help keep the Castro safe from murderers and bashers-being able to 'marry' my lover doesn't help that much.
Posted by: Mr.E | Oct 17, 2008 3:15:17 PM
dana j.. you have it completely backwards. biden and barack are "against discrimination" BUT are staunchly opposed to equal marriage rights. it was, you may recall, the one issue that both he and palin agreed upon.. much to the amusement of all.. at their debate.
.. and derrick : palin has said in interviews that her closest friend and confidante (other than her hubby) happens to be a lesbian. i doubt that she considers her friend to be less than human.
reel in the palin derangement syndrome a little.
.. and btw, biden's fundraiser is 5 THOUSAND dollars a plate, not 5 hundred. will any of that money go to 'no on 8' now that he's told ellen he's against it ??
Posted by: el polacko | Oct 17, 2008 3:43:32 PM
Argh!!!
Will you people just stop fighting over trivial stuff?
First: DeGeneres is giving $100K for a PSA
Two: Both Obama & Biden oppose prop 8. The support gay rights! In particular, full marriage equality under federal law in the form of Civil Unions. Obama stated in his interview with the Advocate magazine he could not get enough votes for marriage but could get them for Civil Unions.
Obama also explained that he was following the architecture used by the Civil Rights movement. This meant, using the legislature to pass laws that were feasible given the country's politics and the Supreme Court to move the rest of the way.
As another poster commented, the REALL battle is in the Supreme Court! For godssake, stop being so lazy and read google Loving v. Virginia. Also, read Obama & Biden's positions on gay rights:
http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome
Seriously, why do we have to have the same arguments day after day? Get off your lazy asses and go to Obama's web site and READ!!!
You're on a web blog, how hard is it to google obama.com gay rights?
Instead of making up stuff or speculating read what he says!
Then try to do the same at John McCain's website. You won't find zilch! Why? Because queers, gays, lesbians, transfolk are "icky" and don't matter unless they are hired, boot licking underlings or suckers willing to vote for them.
Some of you folks are so focused on "marriage" that you forget that MOST gay Americans can lose their jobs and be denied housing because of their sexuality. How about worrying about those millions of people and the legislation that can protect their lives, too? ENDA! DADT! Anti-hate crimes law! along with DOMA and marriage/civil unions.
Read a history book and learn how EFFECTIVE Lyndon Johnson was in getting the MOST important Civil Rights legislation passed: voting rights, fair housing, employment rights, etc.
Marriage rights came from the Supreme Court!!! To get justices who will vote for us means getting a Democrat in the White House.
Do yourselves a favor and stop speculating and read Obama/Biden's plans: http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome
Focus on the BIG picture! We have to win the White House to control the Supreme Court!! If we don't get liberal judges on the Court, we're screwed!
Posted by: noah | Oct 17, 2008 3:56:04 PM
Seeing as how Ellen is one of MANY other out celebs haven't "ponied up" like they're "supposed" to, I wonder if they know something we don't about the NO on 8 campaign's situation. Looks like she preferred to have control over the output of the message and thus plunked $100k down for the PSA herself, thus making sure it didn't put forth anything she didn't agree with. Frankly, her free publicity for the pro-equality effor on her show is worth more than any monetary donation could be.
Posted by: Jay | Oct 17, 2008 4:59:27 PM
Hmmm somebody's not paying attention, Jay!
I'm frankly pretty impressed that Biden, the #2 person on the ticket, is willing to come out this publicly and spend political capital on Prop. 8.
Of course they won't say they're for marriage. That would not be politically wise at this point, but they will work for equality and against denying rights already granted.
Posted by: Kevinvt | Oct 17, 2008 10:30:09 PM