A Papa finds his Pride

[netmouse]

Check out this video of the Mayor of San Diego explaining a change of stance on gay marriage (posted yesterday after he refused to veto a resolution on the topic that he had previously promised to veto). It is sincere, and to the point (a "separate but equal" institution like civil union is not the same, and not in line with justice), and obviously heartfelt.

He explains that members of his family and staff are part of the Gay and Lesbian community, including his daughter Lisa.

"In the end, I couldn't look them in the face and tell them that their relationships, that their very lives, were any less meaningful than [mine with my own wife]."

(he had trouble saying that last because he was choked up with emotion)

Bravo.

Comments

[shsilver.livejournal.com]

And compare to Vice President Dick Cheney, whose daughter is gay and he says he loves her, her partner, and their child, but supports the administration's line on gay marriage.

Of compare to Presidential candidate Alan Keyes, whose daughter is gay and when it came out he threw her out of the house.

[atothek.livejournal.com]

FINALLY a politician I feel like hugging instead of slapping.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I cried watching that. Thanks for the link.

[kgkofmel.livejournal.com]

Wow.

Thanks.

[sylo-tode.livejournal.com]

That was great! Thanks for the link.

I hope that condemning the "separate, but equal" premise of "civil unions" instead of marriage catches on. (Are you listening, Hillary?)

[tlatoani.livejournal.com]

Sometimes, knowing someone (or realizing you know someone) makes all the difference.

The Justice who cast the deciding vote in Bowers v. Hardwick, Justice Powell, said years later that he regretted his vote and would have voted differently if he'd understood what the decision meant, if only he'd known someone who was gay.

As it happens, one of his law clerks at the time of the decision was gay, and was encouraged by his friends who knew about the case to come out to the Justice and put a personal face on it. He refused to, out of fear that it would hurt his career.

[shadowriderhope.livejournal.com]

Wow. Just... wow.

I am blown away. I want to give him a hug.

Maybe change really *is* possible.

[childe.livejournal.com]

Yoinked and re-posted. It was popping up a lot on my friends' list, so I gave it a view and immediately needed to spread it.