Dodd comes out in support of marriage equality.
Dodd comes out in support of marriage equality.
Yesterday, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) wrote an op-ed in the The Meriden Record-Journal announcing that he had shifted his position on gay marriage. He now supports full marriage equality:
Public officials aren’t supposed to change their minds. But I firmly believe that it’s important to keep learning. Last week, while I was in Connecticut meeting with members of the gay and lesbian community from across the state, I had the opportunity to tell them what I’ve learned about marriage, and about equality.
While I’ve long been for extending every benefit of marriage to same-sex couples, I have in the past drawn a distinction between a marriage-like status (“civil unions”) and full marriage rights.
I believe that, when my daughters grow up, barriers to marriage equality for same-sex couples will seem as archaic, and as unfair, as the laws we once had against inter-racial marriage. And I want them to know that, even if he was a little late, their dad came down on the right side of history.
Brian Rice of the Human Rights Campaign’s Board of Governors was at the meeting with Dodd and writes that when the senator announced his change in position, “attendees let out a huge cheer and extended ovation.” Last month, President Clinton also said that his position on marriage equality was “evolving.” (HT: Pam’s House Blend)
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In regards to the state, the treatment of gay marriage should be identical to straight marriage.
If couples want to have some additional designation or recognition of their relationship with some entity outside the state (church); they should have that prerogative.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:25 pm..he had shifted his position on gay marriage. He now supports full marriage equality..
That’s great news.
Wonder who Dodd just found out (in his family) is gay?
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:33 pmCan’t help but wonder if the gays pulling out of the fundraising dinner was part of this change of heart?…oh cynical me…
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:36 pmGood to hear. Hopefully Obama and Congress can work to get rid of anti-gay laws in the military and DOMA :)
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:44 pmlokidog Says
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:33 pm
Wonder who Dodd just found out (in his family) is gay?
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It doesn’t matter, really. What does matter is that Dodd has either discovered that gay people are human beings (not space aliens) and deserve the same rights other human beings do.
Harvey Milk once urged gays to come out to their family and friends, because he knew that someone with a gay family member or a gay friend would be far more likely to make the human connection than somebody who just saw them as nameless, faceless creatures they had no contact with. I believe this is true, as even Dick Cheney has refused to get on the “bash gays” bandwagon with the rest of his party on this issue.
It’s possible Dodd just discovered somebody in his family is gay. Or perhaps it’s a close friend of his. Or maybe he’s an Ellen Degeneres fan. Or maybe he’s just run out of reasons to justify keeping gays busted down to a lower class. It doesn’t really matter. What matters is that anytime old prejudices die away like scales falling from the eyes, it’s good news.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:52 pmOT – backup, I just left a response to your comment on the ThinkFast thread.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:54 pm77 Democratic lawmakers today urged President Obama to use his executive powers to order a halt to military discharges under the controversial ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ law
I am very interested to see President Obama’s reaction to this. I’ve made my peace with the fact he is NOT the progressive president I thought he’d be, but I’m desperately trying to understand WHO he is! He seems to act a lot more like a cancervative than I’m confortable with.
We’ll have to wait and see!!
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:58 pmToo little, too late.
June 22nd, 2009 at 4:59 pmPublic officials aren’t supposed to change their minds.
That impression is a problem. Public officials are supposed to make real-time decisions based on real-world events. The fluid nature of world events demands that officials “change their minds”.
I’m glad that Sen. Dodd has changed his mind on this issue but, he needs to get past the feeling that changing his mind is a negative.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:06 pmmisscoleopteramolly Says:
It doesn’t matter, really.
I agree wholeheartedly. I’m just kind of sick of those who are homophobic until they find out someone they love is gay or lesbian.
I think most would agree Dick Cheney would not feel the way he does on this subject were it not for his daughter.
But in the end, you are correct – however they arrive at the correct and moral position (that gay marriage should be legal), is irrelevant.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:06 pmYeah, for all of them, too little too late.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:13 pmkrystalview Says: I am very interested to see President Obama’s reaction to this.
Don’t hold your breath. Obama won’t have a public reaction to this. Dodd will be ignored. The reps’ letter will be ignored. DOMA and DADT will be ignored. If the heat gets too much he will do another lame photo-op with (so called) gay leaders to provide some faux benefit to GLBT partners.
We were duped into believing that “Yes We Can” meant “Yes We Will.”
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:15 pmJane. Thanks. What’s exciting for Iran (and the rest of the world) is the impact of the internet and other communication innovations on getting information out. That is what will eventually set people free.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:19 pmpete Says:
That impression is a problem. Public officials are supposed to make real-time decisions based on real-world events. The fluid nature of world events demands that officials “change their minds”.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
LIES! Beliefs must be carved in TITANIUM!
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:19 pm
backup Says:
Jane. Thanks. What’s exciting for Iran (and the rest of the world) is the impact of the internet and other communication innovations on getting information out. That is what will eventually set people free.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:19 pm
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And the impact of companies like Siemens and Nokia who are helping the Iranian government monitor and censor the Internet.
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:21 pmtahank youu too.I really enjoy sorbet…
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:29 pmToasterhead, I read that part yesterday about Nokia and Siemens, pretty despicable, isn’t it? I’m surprised that Cheney didn’t hire them!
June 22nd, 2009 at 5:33 pmI spent some time last night researching the Sesli porn links. After about 8 hours, I became disgusted and vowed never to visit the sites again. For the most part. )
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:06 pmSo, the wife is a transsexual.
June 22nd, 2009 at 7:37 pmObama is trying to be too cautious because his is afraid that Dems will get beat up over this issue. Of course, the neocons are going to beat the drums about culture war. But they have been reduced to a small minority that keeps tripping over their own tongues and are heading straight to permanent minority status. Obama should take this step by executive order.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:18 pmI understand the anger about people who are homophones and find out someone they love is gay but at least they realize how wrong they are. I don’t think it matters so much how they get there so long as they do.
June 22nd, 2009 at 8:59 pmThank you..
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June 27th, 2009 at 4:13 pm