| IS SENATOR KERRY OUR ALLY? This presidential election is undoubtedly one of the most contested and also the most important election in recent history. While many activist leaders of the LGBT community are hailing Senator John Kerry as an ally to the gay the community and understandably placing a high focus on the debate before our nation whether or not to amend the Constitution, it is important to remember that there are many other reasons why this election is important. Before we assume that a liberal candidate from the democratic party will take a stand as a strong ally of the LGBT community, we should examine the facts and weigh all the evidence before we blindly put all of our support behind one candidate over the other. Based on a closer examination of Kerry's record as a Senator and the comments he made at the recent Presidential debate in Tempe, Arizona, many lesbians and gays are deciding that President George W. Bush should be re-elected. I am a gay American, and I want to share with you my opinion... an opinion I have discovered that is shared by many others in the gay community.
THE KERRY RECORD
A close examination of John Kerry's record as a United States Senator reveals the following facts: John Kerry is personally opposed to legalizing same sex marriage and believes that marriage is a sacred institution between one woman and one man; and John Kerry supports the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which in itself is one step below a constitutional amendment, as it too defines marriage between a man and a woman and protects the rights of individual states to block legal recognition of same sex marriages. In this regard, Senator Kerry's position on same sex marriage parallels that of President Bush. But many activists in the LGBT community are quick to point out that it is President Bush who is pushing for the Constitutional amendment. Yet, when the proposal for the amendment recently came before the Senate for a vote, only two Senators were absent and did not take a stand on this issue. Those two absent congressmen were Senator John Edwards and Senator John Kerry. While paying the LGBT community plenty of lip service, when given an opportunity to put action behind his words, Senator Kerry chose not to stand up and vote against the amendment and in support of the LGBT community. If Senators Kerry and Edwards are truly allies of the the gay community, they should have taken the opportunity to voice their opinion through their vote. When Senator Kerry remains silent on the most important issue facing gays and lesbians today, can he truly be called an ally of the LGBT community?
EXPLOITING THE LGBT COMMUNITY FOR POLITICAL GAIN
Kerry caused a stir on Wednesday night at the third and last presidential debate when he referred to Mary Cheney, daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney, while answering a question from moderator Bob Schieffer, who asked whether homosexuality is a choice. It was the second time Mary Cheney's sexuality had come up during the debates. In the vice presidential debate last week, John Edwards also brought up the vice president's daughter. But for what reason did both Kerry and Edwards feel they could bring the discussion of a private family matter of one of their opponents into the public arena? Kerry Campaign Manager Mary Beth Cahill told the media that Mary Cheney's orientation is "fair game." But many do not see it that way, and the following day Senator Kerry went before the cameras to offer not an apology, but an explanation of his comments. But the remarks may have come too late for the vice president and second lady Lynne Cheney. Cheney told supporters at a rally in Fort Myers, Fla., that the Massachusetts senator stepped over the line. "You saw a man who will do and say anything to get elected, and I am not just speaking as a father here, although I am a pretty angry father," Cheney said. Lynne Cheney also spoke publicly of Kerry's remarks and could no longer hold her silence about the repeated mention of her daughter's sexuality. "Now, you know, I did have a chance to assess John Kerry once more and now the only thing I could conclude: This is not a good man," she told a crowd of 800 debate-watchers in a Pittsburgh suburb. "Of course, I am speaking as a mom, and a pretty indignant mom. This is not a good man. What a cheap and tawdry political trick." Many within the gay community also agree. John Kerry, by mentioning Mary Cheney in his answer at the debate, exploited the LGBT community for political gain. Many on both sides of the issue speculate that Kerry's intention was to "out" Mary Cheney to those Bush supporters who may not have been aware that Vice President Cheney's daughter was a lesbian, hoping it would shake the base of religious conservatives backing Bush and even turn some of the undecided voters to the Kerry camp. It was a clear attempt to embarrass President Bush and Vice President Cheney in front of the American public on live television. But a stunt Kerry hoped would help him gain votes may indeed cost him the election. Political pollster Ed Goeas reported that the undecided focus group he surveyed during the debate on Wednesday night had a very negative reaction to Kerry after he brought up the vice president's daughter, even though they thought he had been doing well up until that point. Log Cabin Republicans, the largest group for gay men and lesbians in the party who have endorsed Senator Kerry, may be having second thoughts. In a statement issued in response to Kerry's statement at the debate, they noted,"Senator Kerry could have made his point about gay and lesbian Americans without mentioning the Vice President's daughter," and offered advice to the Kerry-Edwards campaign to "stop using gay and lesbian families as a political wedge issue." While Senator Kerry should be commended for his vocal support of civil unions and equal rights for all Americans, including gays, lesbians and same sex couples, the comments he made at during the debate reveal a different story: one were Kerry will say anything in an attempt to gain votes. America is divided over the issue and Kerry seems to be taking his trademark approach of supporting one side, and then the other. He consistently has a record of his actions not matching his words. Kerry claims to be an ally of the LGBT community but he supports the Defense of Marriage Act and opposes same sex marriage. And when the opportunity arises he has shown that he will exploit members of the gay community for political gain. Senator Kerry showed his true colors at the debate, and many gays and lesbians are now realizing that he may not be such a strong ally after all.
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
It is often said that "the truth hurts," but even at the risk of offending fellow members of the gay community, it is important to consider the truth about the push for an amendment to the United States Constitution to block same sex marriage. The whole issue of an amendment did not surface in the public mainstream until after the events that took place in San Francisco and Massachusetts earlier this year. A minority of gay activists who mistakenly believe they speak for the entire LGBT community, found allies in a renegade mayor and some activists judges, and set in motion a series of events that created a strong negative backlash against the gay community. In California and Massachusetts, the demand for the legal recognition of same sex marriages was forced upon the American people in a way that caused many to view the actions as a threat. While the intentions were good and it did force a much needed discussion on the need for equal rights for lesbians and gays, it also fueled the fires of opposition. Nationwide polls currently reflect that upwards of 70% of Americans now oppose the legalization of same sex marriage, and with a margin of 2 to 1, Americans favor some form of legislation including amending individual state as well as the federal Constitution. What may not have been evident to the gay activists who pushed for action in San Francisco, is crystal clear now: the actions of the gay community created a negative backlash that has severely damaged the progress we had been making towards gaining equal rights. While LGBT activists and supporters are quick to blame George Bush and the Republican party for driving the debate for a constitutional amendment, they refuse to acknowledge that the actions of the extreme gay activists in San Francisco had any role in the negative backlash that is now hurting the gay community. By forcing the issue of legalizing same sex marriage as we did, we took a gamble and lost. Instead of focussing all of our anger on George Bush, most of it should be directed to the extreme activist leaders of the gay community who clearly caused more damage to our cause than the Republican party ever could. It is also important to remember that George Bush is just one man. He cannot amend the Constitution on his own. It will be brought again before Congress and also before the American people for a vote. Our attention and energy should be focussed on changing the minds and hearts of our fellow Americans, who in the end will have the final say on whether or not our Constitution is amended. While Senator Kerry had no right to exploit Mary Cheney and the gay community at the recent debate, the point of his comment remains valid. It is important that we educate the public about the truths of homosexuality: that it is not a choice and that it is only right and fair that all Americans be given the same rights and protections under the Constitution. But we are not going to change minds and hearts if we continue to perpetuate the myths and stereotypes used to justify discrimination and fuel homophobia. We will not change minds and hearts by organizing more drag shows or by drilling holes in the stall walls of public rest rooms. The gay community needs to put it's best face forward.
WE NEED TO UNITE, NOT DIVIDE
The fight for equal rights for gays and lesbians is not divided down party lines. The gay community has a nasty habit of assuming that the liberal democratic party is "gay friendly" and our strongest allies while the evil republican party is our enemy. Instead of blindly following wherever the far left gay activists lead our community, each individual gay. lesbian, bisexual and transgendered person should make every effort to be educated on the facts, not the fiction, rumors and cospiracy theories. It is clear that we need to work with both republicans and democrats if we are going to further our fight for equal rights. If we make it an "us against them" war, we will never win. We need to unite, not divide. We should never allow either political party to use gay and lesbian issues as a political wedge. We need to build strong allies on both sides of the Congressional aisle, as well as rally public support regardless of political leanings. We should not discount our allies within the republican party by assuming that only liberal democrats deserve our vote. As evidence, consider the recent vote on the proposed constitutional amendment. In the Senate, both Kerry and Edwards refused to vote. And a non-vote is the same as a vote in favor of the amendment. In the House of Representatives, it is important to note that several republicans voted AGAINST the amendment and in our favor, while several democrats voted for the amendment and against our cause. Members of the LGBT community need to get educated and start thinking for themselves, and stop believing the assumption that we are required to only vote for democratic candidates, especially when we need our republican allies now more than ever. The Log Cabin Republicans are a good example of the LGBT community reaching out to gain strong allies on the right side of the aisle. In this election season, Log Cabin will endorse dozens of GOP candidates for the U.S. House and Senate including Senator John McCain (R-AZ), Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA), Congressman Chris Shays (R-CT), Congressman Charlie Bass (R-NH), Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL), Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Congressman Rob Simmons (R-CT), Congresswoman Deborah Pryce (R-OH), Congressman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ), Congresswoman Mary Bono (R-CA), Congressman Jim Leach (R-IA), Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), and many others. Each member of the LGBT community is encouraged to get informed about each candidate running for office in his or her respective state. Give yourself permission to vote for the best candidate, even if that candidate is a republican.
THE CHOICE IS CLEAR
Now more than ever, America needs a strong leader as Commander in Chief. And when you compare the 20 year congressional record of Senator John Kerry with the four years of George Bush serving as our president, it is clear that we must re-elect George W. Bush. We need a president who is strong on defense and national security; a leader who will not back down or waiver when it comes to protecting American citizens. President Bush also has the right plan to strengthen the economy, improve education and health care, to keep taxes low, and our military strong. John Kerry has a record of raising taxes, of expanding the government and the control it has over the lives of American citizens. John Kerry is consistently inconsistent and both his record and his words prove he has taken multiple stands on every major issue facing our country today. John Kerry is not an ally of the gay community. He supports the Defense of Marriage Act and opposes same sex marriage. And when he had an opportunity to speak up for gays and lesbians in our fight for equal rights, he chose to remain silent. But at the debate, he did not remain silent and deliberately exploited a member of the gay community for political gain. I urge all sensible members of the LGBT community to educate themselves on the issues, to separate fact from fiction, and follow their gut and vote to re-elect George W. Bush for President of the United States.
Doug Seubert
Founder/Executive Director
Safe Zone Foundation
The Safe Zone Foundation is a non-profit organization serving the LGBT community. The foundation provides professional development assistance and grant funding to organizations that serve the LGBT community including Safe Zone programs and Gay/Straight Alliances in schools and universities across the United States, as well as PFLAG chapters and other support groups. The Safe Zone Foundation also manages the Center for Outreach, Prevention and Education (COPE), providing access to current and accurate health and prevention information on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse, eating disorders, depression and suicide and other health issue affecting the LGBT community. |
