BOSTON (ABP) — The head of the nation's largest gay-rights group made a pitch for “marriage equality” for same-sex couples from the floor of the Democratic National Convention, while conservative religious groups criticized the party's platform and presidential ticket as being too pro-gay.
Cheryl Jacques, president of the Washington-based Human Rights Campaign, addressed delegates to the convention in a pre-prime-time spot July 28. Describing gay and lesbian Americans, she said, “We see a health-care crisis that can be alleviated through more personal responsibility. That, in part, is why we're working for marriage equality, so we can do what families do best — care for each other in sickness and in health.”
Jacques, a former Massachusetts legislator, also praised the party's presidential and vice presidential nominees — Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and North Carolina Sen. John Edwards — for their opposition to a proposed constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. The Senate, by a wide margin, blocked the amendment in July.
“They know that the Constitution is a vessel of freedom — not a tool for discrimination,” Jacques said. “Together, we will send a message for all Americans to hear: That the light of inclusion will once again wipe away the darkness of division.”
Several other speakers during the convention have made oblique references to the marriage debate. Speaking later the same evening, former Democratic presidential candidate Al Sharpton told an applauding crowd, “The promise of America is that government does not seek to regulate your behavior in the bedroom, but guarantee food in the kitchen.”
And Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), the only openly lesbian member of Congress, hailed Kerry as “the most pro-gay [presidential nominee] in U.S. history.”
Kerry and Edwards both have said that they oppose gay marriage but support marriage-like “civil union” arrangements for gay couples. But the head of a conservative Christian public-policy group said that the convention's rhetoric proves that position is disingenuous.
“All you have to do is look at the people this presidential campaign has surrounded itself with to see what their administration will look like,” wrote Family Research Council President Tony Perkins in his July 29 “Washington Update” e-mail newsletter. “When it comes to protecting marriage, a future with 'President Kerry' looks pretty bleak.”
During a July 29 luncheon hosted by the National Stonewall Democrats, a group for gay and lesbian members of the party, several speakers praised Kerry and Edwards for their past support of issues important to gay voters.
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), the first openly gay man to be elected to the House of Representatives, said he would prefer that Kerry and Edwards supported gay marriage, but he said some progress comes more incrementally than he would prefer.
“I wish that all Democrats were for same-sex marriage,” Frank told the participants. “I also wish that I could eat dessert today and not have to worry about gaining weight.”
While criticizing President Bush and the Republican Party for attempting to make same-sex marriage an important issue in the election, Frank warned that if Bush wins, political strategists might view anti-gay policies as a useful campaign tactic.
“If the Democrats win a big win in November, the pundits, the columnists and the politicians themselves will come to the conclusion that gay-bashing doesn't work,” Frank said. “If Republicans exceed expectations, we will be blamed.”
Of gays, he concluded: “No group has more at stake in this election.”
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