Meet Rachel Maddow's life partner

[ruggerson]

Susan Mikula is an artist.

They live in Massachusetts and commute to NYC during the week.

Happy couple, huh?

Rachel routinely stands up for us.

She is a resolute voice for those who value justice and liberty and truth.

She never, ever gives up.

Don't you think, just maybe, that the one very small thing you owe her (and tens of millions of your fellow Americans like her) is the commitment to, at the very least, support only Democratic leaders who respect and value her relationship enough to take a public stand in favor of civil unions?

Isn't that an incredibly low bar to set for ourselves as Democrats, since an overwhelming majority of the country favors civil unions and a great number of Republicans do as well?

Rachel and Susan are lucky enough to live in a state that recognizes their relationship legally and allows them to marry, should they so choose.

But millions don't.

There are about a zillion other issues that are equally as important in the grand context of all of our lives, and many of us have lines we won't cross when supporting politicians. Some of won't vote for anyone who voted for the IWR. Some of us cannot in good conscience vote for anyone who would make abortion illegal. Some of cannot vote for politicians who favor private school vouchers and prayer in school. Some of us cannot vote for politicians who are not keen stewards of the environment. Some of us cannot stand by and watch the consitution shredded. It angers and pains us.

In regards to this one issue, in the year 2008, isn't the very least we can do for our fellow gay and lesbian Americans to demand that our Democratic leaders, and those we would install in positions of power, reach the very, very low threshold of full support for civil unions?

Civil unions are really nothing more than second class families, with no federal recognition. It is not a high benchmark to set for a Democrat, even for one from a conservative state.

Isn't it absurd that we even have to have this discussion on a putatively progressive message board?

We at our best, all of us, when we take up each other's causes as our own and fight tirelessly for our common humanity and our mutual bond as free citizens and stand firmly for what is both right and just.

Doesn't that endeavor make all of us, after all, not only better citizens, but better human beings?

--------------------------------------------------------------

Disclaimer 1: I am voting for the Democratic ticket regardless of whom Obama picks (well maybe not OJ Simpson or Sam Nunn) :), but that doesn't mean all of us don't have a right and an obligation to speak out.

Disclaimer 2: I don't know how Rachel Maddow feels about the Veep candidates. I heard her make both mildly positive and mildly negative remarks about Tim Kaine the other day. I am merely using her (sorry Rachel) as a public figure we all know to make a point about standing up for each other.

[Hissyspit]

1. k&r n/t

[NanceGreggs]

2. Beautiful couple ...

... beautiful post.

K&R, my friend.

[babylonsister]

3. Love ya, ruggerson!

I bet you hate that comment! :loveya:

Nice story. I just heard Kaine on PBS w/Charlie Rose, and thought he made a lot of sense. Damn!

And I adore Ms. Maddow.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6563734

[JeffR]

4. Great post!

Full civil rights for all Americans! It's way overdue.

[stevedeshazer]

5. Gays and lesbians deserve the same rights as everyone else. Period.

I've never understood why civil rights don't apply to certain groups or individuals.

This country is racist and homophobic to the core.

Geez, I really hate to say that.

[Skittles]

16. civil unions are cool, Steve!

we let 'em get on the bus but make 'em in the back! :thumbsdown:

[SeattleGirl]

6. Cool! I always wondered what Susan looked like!

And I'm with you: I absolutely support equal rights for ALL. I don't care what a person's sexual orientation, color, creed, religion, etc., is. Far as I'm concerned, everyone deserves the right to marry, if they so choose.

[Prophet 451]

12. That's what Loving said

Seriously, part of the ratio (ratio decedendi - roughly "deciding reason") in Loving V. Virginia defined the right to marry as a "fundemental human right".

You would think that would settle things but having talked to more conservatives than I'd like to, they think it doesn't apply because it doesn't say "this includes the queers as well".

[SeattleGirl]

13. I really dislike (no, actually, I hate) that kind of attitude.

Blacks, whites, Asians, Native Americans, etc., have been intermarrying for awhile now, and the world has not come to an end.

It hasn't come to an end since MA and CA have legalized same-sex marriage, and I truly doubt it would if the entire country allowed it.

I really do not understand the attitude of people who hate the happiness of others.

[MadMaddie]

55. Honestly, I think that those individuals with those attitudes have

to have scapegoats for their miserable unhappy relationships. And they are going to prevent anyone else the chance at happiness if they can.

It really is as basic as selfishness and their own self loathing that causes the bigots and the homophobic to hate everyone else!!

[tavalon]

64. Yeah, back when I listened to Air America,

Rachel used to talk about Susan. They are a lovely couple.

[SwampG8r]

7. that is a low bar to set

good job ruggerson
you made me think

[CitizenLeft]

8. what a cute couple they make!

Great post! :thumbsup:

[cliffordu]

9. K&R wonderful post.

[tishaLA]

10. great post

thanks.

[Prophet 451]

11. Cute couple

I think gay couples should have the exact same legal rights as straight couples, whether that's marriage or a different name (here, it's called Domestic Partnership but is legally identical). Civil unions, well, not as good as it should be but it'll do as a stop-gap measure.

[proud patriot]

14. I'm glad to see that picture

They look very happy .

[Spider Jerusalem]

15. Obama supports civil unions, and repeal of DOMA.

Given that this is the stated position of the candidate, and that the vice-presidential choice, regardless of whom it may be, will have little if any policy input in this matter, I don't think that this is necessarily an issue.

One also wonders at your logical consistency, given that you've made very supportive statements regarding former President Clinton, who ran campaign ads on Christian radio stations in 1996 touting his support of DOMA...should I have not voted for Bill Clinton in that election? And what of Hillary, who doens't think that states ought to be required to recognise same-sex civil unions (her position on DOMA: repeal the provision barring Federal recognition of civil unions, leave the rest alone). Consistency of principle is a good thing, no?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

20. Exactly! I listen to Rachel and despite her condemnation of Obama's

VP choices, she often lauds Hillary. I'm asking that she delve deeper into Hillary's views because it seems as though Rachel favors her; however, Hillary isn't more liberal on this issue than, say a Joe Biden or a Chris Dodd. I still don't understand why my gay/lesbian brothers and sisters assume that Hillary is friendlier to them. Hillary is quite the social conservative on many issues. And yet, liberals and feminists assume that she represents them fully. It's not true.

[Raine]

17. Sweet couple

I'm glad that Rachel has found someone deserving of her cause she is a very special person. :thumbsup:

[my3boyz]

18. Did not know she is gay. Not that it matters. Cute couple. They look happy. nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

19. Rachel complains too much for me. Who would she suggest as the most 'acceptable'

candidate for VP? Not Hillary, please! If we want to 'respect their union,' choosing Hillary is not the answer, since she holds the exact same position as Obama.

[hisownpetard]

54. Rachel "complains" too much? Ya mean, like about injustice, dishonesty, corruption and hypocrites?

Yeah, she does.
I just can't understand why?
Go figger.


:wtf: :spank: :thumbsdown:

[janet118]

21. Proud to be from Massachusetts . . .

the cradle of liberty. I am so sick of having it dissed by right wing. We walk the walk here. I love that Rachel and Susan live in my state. We are so lucky to have them. Rachel is the best thing on cable "news."

[BeyondGeography]

22. Western Mass., no doubt

That's a good life. Maybe I can spot Rachel hiding under a baseball cap in Great Barrington one of these Saturdays.

[bicentennial_baby]

26. Try Cummington

;)

[BeyondGeography]

27. That's way up there

See her at Tanglewood, maybe.

[Coexist]

23. knr!

[Barack_America]

24. Absolutely. But that doesn't mean I still can't support Tim Kaine for VP.

Because he's just that, V.P.

Tim Kaine has not let his pro-life or anti-death penalty positions prevent him from upholding Virginia's laws supporting abortion and the death penalty. Nor has he sought to change those laws as Governor. His statements regarding the possibility of being Obama's VP pick, have clearly demonstrated that he understands that he takes the backseat.

If Obama's platform includes civil unions, he will support it. If the law comes to allow civil unions, he will uphold it.

If civil unions aren't allowed by the end of Barack's presidency and Kaine decides to run...well, that's when his position becomes a serious problem for me.

[ruggerson]

25. Vice Presidents

can become Presidents at any random moment. In our history, unfortunately, it has happened numerous times.

The first obligation Obama has both to himself and to the people he is asking to hire him for the job, is to pick a Veep who is qualified to be President if that should ever occur.

[Barack_America]

31. I honestly think that Tim Kaine's the kind of guy...

Who would honor Obama's platform, should that happen. And I'm sure that he and Obama would discuss that possibility.

He's just not a social activist type.

He seems to be about as honorable and loyal as you can get in politics and that's a big reason he's my top choice.

[NorthCarolina]

51. Well, if Obama is out to totally alienate the LGBT community

then Kaine as VP would probably be a huge step in that direction for him. It would certainly make me sit back and re-think things. An anti-gay bigot one heartbeat away from the Presidency? Um, I think not.

[NorthCarolina]

37. And people wonder what's wrong with America

:banghead:

[ruggerson]

50. If there's room on that wall

shove over a bit and I'll join you.

[NorthCarolina]

52. Just another example of how many look at the gay community as "expendable"

because they comfort themselves with thoughts like "who cares, who else are they going to vote for?"

(edited for typo)

[NorthCarolina]

28. The problem I fear is that a large percentage of Democrats

do not really favor access to equal civil rights for LGBT folks. In follow up to some discussions here on DU in regard to Kaine as VP and his past comments against LGBT civil rights, I created a poll to get an idea of where DUers were on the importance, or not, of selecting a VP that holds views favorable to equal rights for the LGBT community. Clearly 33% of DUers, at a minimum, feel that a candidates stand on LGBT equality should be a consideration in selecting a VP.

Here's the poll
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x6559408

[helderheid]

29. I'll stand up and speak out for them.

[ThatsMyBarack]

30. I'm just glad they don't live in some Bible Belt....

Where'd they'd get hounded by wingnuts!

Anyway, that's a GORGEOUS photo. That could easily pass for a WEDDING portrait! :loveya:

[grantcart]

32. Beautiful couple

A few years ago California defeated same sex marriages and now it will likely pass.


People change their attitude about it when they see that it isn't an abstract idea but it is about Ellen and Rachel.


San Diego, a fairly conservative county, was thought to be for the ammendment and now it is almost certainly going to vote it down.


What happened. A single story played out over several days is captured on this video.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnTwrnKb61Q


In another year these stories will multiply by a thousand and the end of 'seperate but equal' will be at hand.

[ronnykmarshall]

33. Jerry Sanders is a wonderful man.

He's the mayor of SD and a republican. That video brought tears to my eyes.

[grantcart]

36. It changed a lot of people's minds about the issue

[ncrainbowgrrl]

38. I just saw that video

And I have tears in my eyes. I wish there were more people like him- who would stand up for those whom they represent...

[ronnykmarshall]

39. Wasn't that wonderful?

[Colobo]

34. I'd like to be her life partner.

[lala_rawraw]

35. both lovely women

and stunningly attractive.

[IndianaJones]

40. must we focus on such pet causes? nt.

[Laurab]

42. Civil Rights and Equal Rights aren't "pet causes".

They are basic human rights, and I think we should focus on them very strongly.

[Hepburn]

43. When did EQUAL RIGHTS become a "pet cause?"

Get real, OK? :eyes:

[jmondine]

41. Awwwww.....

That's all I have to say. :)

[NoSheep]

44. Absolutely! We need the Obama campaign to know this election

is an opportunity to make sure we get it right! Across the board. I've heard Obama use the term "silly" to describe the BS the right wing loves to spew. I LOVE it when he says this because it is absolutely TRUE. The concept that a person, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identification, doesn't have the same "rights" as another in America is categorically unacceptable going forward. I sure hope the campaign reads this thread. We have an opportunity to bring REALITY back to the people. No more BS. No more lies. No more fear. We are grown-ups and it is time a campaign treated us as such.
EQUALITY, PERIOD.

[yellerpup]

45. Rachael is my fave.

Great photo of a sweet relationship. Cool. :kick:

[sniffa]

46. What a lovely couple

:)

Thanks for this thread, and K&R.

[Phx_Dem]

47. Postcard picture! nt

[totodeinhere]

48. Civil unions are not enough. Dem leaders need to stand up for full fledged marriage...

for LGBT couples. And they must also stand for a full repeal of the DOMA.

[chill_wind]

49. Rhodes Scholar at 31. More neat factoids about Rachel's life

at this link (with the picture)

http://www.eric-goldscheider.com/id15.html



Thank you for this OP. K & R.

[BrklynLiberal]

57. I remember "Unfiltered". It was a great show. Another good one that Air America killed.

[KoKo]

53. We have to fight for every relationship we can have with our fellow humans in

these cruel and lawless times...and enjoy what we have with each other in the coming darkest times.

Thanks for the post. Rachel indeed seems to be a breath of "fresh air" on MSNBC. We must hope and pray that she is able to stay true to who she is. From what I've seen, she has a great ability to make a change in our Media. I just hope we don't "overhype her" and burden her with some kind of hopes that are too much for any soul to bear.

Great Pic!

[BrklynLiberal]

56. Excellent point. Women's freedom to choose and people's right to marry whomever they

choose are definitely issues to be considered when deciding for whom to vote.

[jillan]

58. I've heard Rachel talk about her partner on one of her shows.

She was saying how lucky she was to be in a wonderful relationship :)

[FogerRox]

59. Absolutly//////

[FloridaJudy]

60. What a wonderful, happy looking couple!

But then I'd expect Rachel to attract someone classy.

Anyone who doesn't want these two to share the same rights we heteros automatically get needs his or her head examined.

[Divine Discontent]

61. I long for a love like that one appears!

God blessed them for sure. I love how Rachel is so spot on regarding the GOP lies and distortions.

Such a great photo!
Thanks!

[question everything]

62. Oh great. A reminder that even if it is now 90 here

that snow and winter are just around the corner...

(nice couple, though)

[AZBlue]

63. They are adorable! And that photo's great - I think it just happened this way,

but it looks like everything's black and white except for them. Looks very artistic.
K&R