San Diego Mayor (R): Proud to Testify for Marriage Equality

[NorthCarolina]

Proud to Testify for Marriage Equality

Jerry Sanders
Mayor, City of San Diego

I was proud to testify this week in what I believe will soon be seen as one of the defining civil rights cases of our time, Perry v. Schwarzenegger. I did so as a Republican mayor, a father, and a former police chief with over 26 years of experience on the force. But I also testified as an American who has seen the effects of discrimination - and who believes that discrimination against anyone, anywhere, is unacceptable.

My thinking on this important issue has evolved significantly in the past few years. Not long ago, I believed that civil unions were an acceptable alternative for same-sex couples. Like many people, I mistakenly thought there was no difference between a civil union and a marriage.

My eyes were opened in 2007, when I had to decide whether to support a ban on same-sex marriage in my capacity as mayor of San Diego. Through conversations with friends and supporters, I realized that my position was inconsistent with one of my core principles as a police officer and as mayor, which is that every community deserves to be treated with equal dignity and respect.

The irony is that I held this mistaken view about marriage equality even though my oldest daughter, Lisa, is a lesbian. When she was growing up, Lisa was my constant companion on weekends as I ran errands and did chores around the house. I called her my shadow. We are as close as a father and daughter can be, and when she came out to her family, my wife and I told her we loved her and only wanted her to be happy.

Running for mayor in 2005, when my city had a host of financial and legal problems, I did not believe that marriage equality was an issue for city governments to address. When I was asked, I said I supported civil unions, believing they were an acceptable compromise on a divisive issue. I frankly did not give the issue much thought.

Then two years later, the City Council passed a resolution supporting a court challenge to California's ban on same-sex marriage. I had 10 days to decide whether to sign or veto the resolution.

I was advised that signing the resolution could end my political career, because I would be reversing a position I took as a candidate, and potentially alienating my Republican base. Lisa, who had worked to my campaign, told me she would support my decision because it was important for San Diego that I remained its mayor.

As late as the evening of the ninth day, I believed I would veto it.

That night, my wife and I hosted a gathering of gay and lesbian friends and neighbors in our backyard. I told them I intended to veto the resolution. Then I listened as they explained how disappointed and hurt they were that I would want to deny them a fundamental civil right, the right to marry the person you love and have that marriage recognized by the rest of society.

About 15 people spoke that night. But before the first one was finished, I shared their disappointment. It was then that I realized that all opposition to same-sex marriage, including my own opposition, was grounded in prejudice.

I knew my position was wrong, and that marriage equality was an issue I needed to address as mayor. And I knew I would sign the resolution.

Link to remainder of article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jerry-sanders/proud-to-testify-for-marr_b_432890.html

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I debated whether I should post this in the LGBT section, but thought that in doing so it would be lost to many who do not follow posts there. I may be making a wild assumption, but I felt that there may be some DUers who might appreciate reading the learning/thought process the SD mayor went through to arrive at his present views on Gay Marriage. Knowingly risking his political future by taking a stand on principle takes a kind of courage that is completely lacking in most of today's politicians. For that I applaud him.

[BOSSHOG]

1. Good for the current Mayor of San Diego

A former Mayor, rodger hedgecock, a convicted felon has a radio gig in San Diego who has filed in for rush limbaugh. Imagine hedgecock's values. A scum of the earth, racist worthless sack of shit. But he does have "conservative values" so he is loved by the klan and teabaggers (klansmen without the robes.) And he loves to spread hate and discontent, how else does the "conservative" movement go forward? With scum like limbaughhedgecock being employed the only way they can be.

[Gman2]

2. Hedgecock's DEAD. This guy went thru the same process I did.

He is absolutely correct. Why do we back cay marriage? Not cuz it is the right thing to do. When those forces went after gays, in a political way, I will die defending them. And furthermore, will back their promotion, with regards to papertrail.

[BOSSHOG]

3. Hedgecock dead??

I think not unless you meant another way beside not alive. I'm a little confused by your post. Die defending who? For doing what?

[Gman2]

4. I thought I remembered him dying two months ago.

As for dying defemding gays from oppression. Or any group.