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Q-NOTES • FEBRUARY 12 . 2005
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GLAD hails Sen. Kennedy's
steady support for LGBT rights
Longtime friend of LGBT community,
Kennedy vows to continue the fight
for gay equality
by Carisa Cuningham
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders
(GLAD) praised long-time civil rights
champion Sen. Edward Kennedy for
remarks he made in support of marriage
rights for LGBT people and against work
place discrimination. Kennedy’s comments
came in a speech he made on the future of
the Democratic Party, at the National Press
Club on Ian. 12.
“Sen. Kennedy’s comments encourage
us as we continue to make progress in
ending discrimination against LGBT people
across the country,” said Gary Buseck,
Legal Director of GLAD. “He places sup
port for the rights of GLBT people where it
belongs — in the American tradition of
fighting for fairness. Our community is
blessed to enjoy the leadership of such an
unwavering advocate.”
Excerpts from Sen. Kennedy’s remarks
are below.
For the full text of his speech, “A
Democratic Blueprint for America’s
Future,” visit www.DemocraticMajority.com.
On Civil Marriage
“On the issue of gay rights, I continue to
strongly support civil marriage. We cannot
— and should not — require any religion
or any church to accept gay marriage. But
it is wrong for our civil laws to deny any
American the basic right to be a part of a
family, to have loved ones with whom to
build a future and share life’s joys and
tears, and to be free from the stain of big
otry and discrimination.”
On Workplace Discrimination
“A progressive economy also recog
nizes that Americans don’t just want more.
They want more of what matters in life.
Political unrest
from page 3
als should serve as teachers in public
schools.”
The overturning of the sodomy laws in
2003 and court victories for same-sex mar
riage in Canada that same year rang hope
in the hearts of gays and lesbians across
this continent, while simultaneously strik
ing fear in the ignorant minds of the evan
gelical right and politicians supported by
them.
It is their fear that has fostered a grow
ing anti-gay atmosphere in this country.
George Bush has waffled on the Federal
Marriage Amendment so many times these
days he looks like nothing more than a
hand puppet for groups like Focus on
the Family and the Traditional Values
Coalition.
There’s no doubt in my mind we were
used as a pawn in a game of political
poker so that Bush could recapture the
White House. In an editor’s note last
which is the true American dream. They
want greater flexibility on the job, with
Kennedy on gay marriage: 'I continue to
strongly support civil marriage.'
more time for their families, more time for
their children’s schools, more time to vol
unteer in their communities and churches
and synagogues and mosques.
“They want jobs that pay fairly and
don’t force them to work excessive hours
without extra pay. They want safe work
places and the right to join with fellow
employees to bargain for a fair workplace.
They want companies to stop marketing
cigarettes and unhealthy foods to young
Americans.
“They want workplaces free from all
forms of bigotry and discrimination,
including discrimination against gay and
lesbian Americans.”
Cay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is dedicat
ed to ending discrimination based on sexual ori
entation, HIV status and gender identity and
expression.
info:
www.glad.org
year I indicated that 1 felt Bush did not
truly support a constitutional amend
ment and that he would likely drop his
push for it after he was re-elected. 1 was
right.
But then the right-wingers sprung into
action, threatening all kinds of untold hor
rors for Bush and his Social Security
reform if he didn’t carry through with his
initial support of the FMA.
Ever the spineless jellyfish, scared lit
tle boy Bush was quick to serve our
heads up on a platter to ensure that his
privatization plan that will pad the pock
ets of the wealthy has a chance at mov
ing forward.
As long as this scheming man-boy is in
power, hatred towards the LGBT commu
nity will continue to grow like a toxic mold
in a damp basement.
— David Moore
Editor