Kucinich Gives Spirited Defense of Gay Marriage

[Terwilliger]

Published on Wednesday, December 17, 2003 by the San Francisco Chronicle

(Democratic Hopeful Chides His Rivals for Equivocating )

by Carla Marinucci

Pointedly criticizing the major Democratic presidential candidate for failing to support same-sex marriage, Rep. Dennis Kucinich said Tuesday in San Francisco that the matter is a "fundamental civil rights issue ... that shouldn't even be a close question.''

"I can't, for the life of me, understand why I'm the only one who's taking this position with such emphasis,'' Kucinich said following a speech and question-and-answer session at the Palace Hotel sponsored by the Bar Association of San Francisco. "We have to be courageous in protecting people's rights ... and I don't think people should expect any less from a president.''

The issue of same-sex marriage is likely to play a role in next year's election in light of a recent Massachusetts state court decision upholding the right of same-sex couples to marry in that state. Opponents in Congress have begun to push a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage, and President Bush repeated in an interview with ABC News Tuesday night that his administration was considering whether to support such an amendment.

The Rev. Al Sharpton and former Illinois Sen. Carol Moseley Braun, two other Democrats making long-shot bids for their party's nomination, also support same-sex marriage, while much of the rest of the Democratic field supports providing all couples with civil unions -- legal rights similar to those gained by marriage.

EDITED BY ADMIN: COPYRIGHT

[MuseRider]

1. Keep up the pressure

Dennis! Way to go. I love a guy that truly understands civil rights, and continues the media focus. Damn. Thanks!

[corporatewhore]

2. way to go dennis!!

:yourock:

[Terwilliger]

3. kick

[ErasureAcer]

4. while Dean was forced into legislation supporting Gays and Lesbians

Kucinich is the real champion of GLBT rights...if you care at all about equal rights for all Americans you will support Dennis Kucinich.

www.kucinich.us

anything less is hypocritical.

[ozone_man]

5. Dean actually passed legislation.

There's a difference between supporting gay rights and passing a bill to legalize civil unions, the first in the country I believe. Running as governor during the Take Back Vermont campaign was not a pretty sight, and Dean did it.

Anyway, Kucinich is great on the issues that are important to me, abortion not being one of them (why is it always men, except for Phyllis Schlafly). Anyway, he is my number two choice, and might be number one if he was more electable.

[Moderator]

6. Terwilliger

Per DU copyright
rules please post
only 4 paragraphs
from the news source.


Thank you.


DU Moderator

[Plaid Adder]

7. Go Dennis!

And coming from a Catholic, that takes some balls.

Wow, I almost feel an endorsement coming on.

C ya,

THe Plaid Adder

[Kenneth ken]

8. link?

I like what you've posted; I'm not sure if there was a link and it got lost in editing, or if there never was one.

Thanks!

[Terwilliger]

9. sorry

thought I had posted it

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2003/12/17/MNGV03P1GH1.DTL

[Kenneth ken]

10. thanks

I wasn't sure if you'd come back and check this thread or not, that's why I PM'ed you also.

Nice read, I'm glad you posted.

[prisonerseven]

11. If Dean and Kucinich both get knocked out of the primary

How many here would support either one going third and populist party? Could we get enough voters to get them in the WH front door?

[revcarol]

12. DK is for HUMAN rights,

like the right to affordable health care...
like the right to organize without interference, and strike...
like the right to a clean and safe environment...

This issue is just ONE facet of his drive for HUMAN rights.

[wheresthemind]

13. "Ladies and Gentleman, the next president of the United States!"