Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

  • Shop
  • Subscribe to BMG
  • Contact
  • Log In
  • Front Page
  • All Posts
  • About
  • Rules
  • Events
  • Register on BMG

Bay State Stonewall Democrats endorse Kerry and others in contested races

August 5, 2008 By David

John Kerry issued the following statement in response to the endorsement, which must have been welcome in light of Ed O’Reilly’s vocal support for equal marriage:

I am honored to have the endorsement of the Massachusetts Stonewall Democrats. Since 1984, I have proudly represented the people of Massachusetts in the United States Senate and never wavered from taking the fight to the ignorant, indignant or ill-informed who falsely believe civil, legal and human rights are rights reserved solely for heterosexual Americans. I have fought for equal rights since my first year in the Senate when I supported the first federal legislation to expand the hate crime classification to include victims based on sexual orientation and gender identity and introduced legislation outlawing workplace discrimination against the GLBT community. In 1996, I was one of just 14 U.S. Senators- and the only one up for reelection- to vote for the repeal of DOMA. I recently authored the bill to eliminate the HIV Immigration and Travel Ban and cosponsored legislation to increase HIV/AIDS funding. I am proud to have been a leader in the fight to get rid of the military’s ridiculous ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. When it comes to defending our country, we cannot afford to waste the bravery and service of a single American, and we can’t afford a broken policy that’s discriminatory to boot. I am incredibly appreciative of the support Massachusetts’ GLBT community has provided me, and I am looking forward to a time when the rights of GLBT communities are no longer under assault this country. Come November, we’ll have a bigger, stronger Democratic majority in Congress and a Democratic president, and together we can all continue to work and fight for progress that’s long overdue.

Please share widely!
fb-share-icon
Tweet
0
0

Filed Under: User Tagged With: 29th-middlesex, 2nd-suffolk, 35th-middlesex, 4th-middlesex, kerry

Comments

  1. lightiris says

    August 5, 2008 at 2:06 pm

    The fur will be flying now.  Perhaps it’s best to just quietly leave the room.

    • cambridge_paul says

      August 5, 2008 at 2:41 pm

      by both BSSD and HRC to endorse Kerry at least when it comes to solely GLBT issues.  (side note: HRC’s endorsement of Republican Susan Collins in Maine was terrible)

      <

      p>Kerry has done a lot of good for the GLBT community, has seniority in the Senate, and where he is not strong on (marriage equality) it doesn’t have much of an effect since marriage is afforded in this state anyways.  The only issue there may be is with repealing DOMA which I’m actually not sure if he favors or not.  Does anyone know?

      <

      p>With that being said, just because he’s done a lot of great things doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be criticized for his lack of support for marriage equality.  

      • laurel says

        August 5, 2008 at 6:25 pm

        Kerry was one of only 14 senators who voted against federal DOMA in ’96.  but according to CNN

        Kerry was asked to explain why, given his opposition to same-sex marriage, he voted against the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which withheld federal recognition of gay and lesbian marriages.

        “There was no issue in front of the country when that was put before the United States Senate,” he said. “I went to the floor of the Senate and said … ‘I will not take part in gay bashing.'”

        At the time, Kerry also said he thought the Defense of Marriage Act was unconstitutional because it violated the “full faith and credit” clause that requires states to recognize each other’s laws — one of the arguments Bush made Tuesday for why a constitutional amendment was needed.

        But Thursday, Kerry said he believes his views on the law’s constitutionality were “incorrect” in 1996 and that he now thinks “no state has to recognize something that is against their public policy.”

        It would seem that a fresh statement on the matter would be a good idea.  Kerry, we’re waiting…

  2. ryepower12 says

    August 5, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    when I voted at the BSSD meeting to endorse these candidates, it was (sadly a day) before I knew about Wilkerson’s latest hiccup – and came to a much different conclusion than before.  

    • ryepower12 says

      August 5, 2008 at 2:15 pm

      endorsements BSSD made don’t really reflect my personal endorsements, etc. The only endorsement I’m ready to make, so far, is Obama over McCain. I only meant in my previous reply that I would have publicly urged against the Wilkerson endorsement at that meeting if I knew then what I know now, whereas the other races I just chose to stay out of at the meeting.

  3. leonidas says

    August 5, 2008 at 2:18 pm

    A fitting endorsement for the Senator, indeed

  4. ruppert says

    August 5, 2008 at 2:59 pm

    …Insiders.

  5. billxi says

    August 7, 2008 at 5:19 pm

    Of a special interest group furthering it’s agenda. Refardless of this issue, I’m following Guy Glodis’ lead and voting for Ed Reilly.  

  6. billxi says

    August 7, 2008 at 5:21 pm

    Of a special interest group furthering it’s agenda. Regardless of this issue, I’m following Guy Glodis’ lead and voting for Ed Reilly.  

Recommended Posts

  • No posts liked yet.

Recent User Posts

Predictions Open Thread

December 22, 2022 By jconway

This is why I love Joe Biden

December 21, 2022 By fredrichlariccia

Garland’s Word

December 19, 2022 By terrymcginty

Some Parting Thoughts

December 19, 2022 By jconway

Beware the latest grift

December 16, 2022 By fredrichlariccia

Thank you, Blue Mass Group!

December 15, 2022 By methuenprogressive

Recent Comments

  • blueeyes on Beware the latest griftSo where to, then??
  • Christopher on Some Parting ThoughtsI've enjoyed our discussions as well (but we have yet to…
  • Christopher on Beware the latest griftI can't imagine anyone of our ilk not already on Twitter…
  • blueeyes on Beware the latest griftI will miss this site. Where are people going? Twitter?…
  • chrismatth on This site (will be disabled on) December 31, 2022I joined BMG late - 13 years ago next month and three da…
  • SomervilleTom on Geopolitics of FusionEVERY un-designed, un-built, and un-tested technology is…
  • Charley on the MTA on This site (will be disabled on) December 31, 2022That’s a great idea, and I’ll be there on Sunday. It’s a…

Archive

@bluemassgroup on Twitter

#mapoli

headlineoptics Headline Optics @headlineoptics ·
3 Apr

OTR: Diana DiZoglio discusses potential retaliation from Mass. Legislature over audit https://www.masspolicyreport.com/2023/04/03/otr-diana-dizoglio-discusses-potential-retaliation-from-mass-legislature-over-audit/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter @masspolicy #MApoli #Massachusetts

Reply on Twitter 1642902408245420032 Retweet on Twitter 1642902408245420032 Like on Twitter 1642902408245420032 Twitter 1642902408245420032
masspolicy MassPolicyReport @masspolicy ·
3 Apr

Mass. Conservatives Win Big in Second MassGOP Caucus: Crush Baker 2.0/Establishment Candidate https://www.masspolicyreport.com/2023/04/03/mass-conservatives-win-big-in-second-massgop-caucus-crush-baker-2-0-establishment-candidate/ #Massachusetts #MApoli #bospoli #MassPolicyReport

Reply on Twitter 1642902143123202050 Retweet on Twitter 1642902143123202050 Like on Twitter 1642902143123202050 Twitter 1642902143123202050
sabadosama Lindsay Sabadosa @sabadosama ·
3 Apr

A huge pleasure to join @RepDylan as he launched the #Massachusetts Friends of UK Legislative Caucus at the home of the @FCDOPeterAbbott. It was wonderful to talk about how we can collaborate to benefit constituents and deepen long-standing ties! #mapoli

2

Reply on Twitter 1642900909020569600 Retweet on Twitter 1642900909020569600 Like on Twitter 1642900909020569600 Twitter 1642900909020569600
theaaholcomb Thea Holcomb @theaaholcomb ·
3 Apr

If you're familiar with #mapoli I have questions for you!

My intern is applying for an internship there - obvs I'm thrilled. 😊 What should she know about how the MA legislature is staffed? What other essential knowledge would you pass along?

Reply on Twitter 1642899676125970436 Retweet on Twitter 1642899676125970436 Like on Twitter 1642899676125970436 1 Twitter 1642899676125970436
masspolicy MassPolicyReport @masspolicy ·
3 Apr

Mounting evidence that the citizens of MA are over taxed https://www.masspolicyreport.com/2023/04/03/mounting-evidence-that-the-citizens-of-ma-are-over-taxed/ #Massachusetts #MApoli #bospoli #MassPolicyReport

Reply on Twitter 1642898875705970690 Retweet on Twitter 1642898875705970690 Like on Twitter 1642898875705970690 Twitter 1642898875705970690
erintiernan Erin Tiernan @erintiernan ·
3 Apr

It's April in #mapoli which means budget season is in full swing. The House will soon pitch a tax relief proposal alongside their 2024 fiscal plan.
- @MBTA staffing shortage cou;d keep trains from running on time
- Auditor DiZoglio won't back down
https://masster-list.com/2023/04/03/massachusetts-house-tax-package-could-be-a-tango-with-healey/

Reply on Twitter 1642898790221770752 Retweet on Twitter 1642898790221770752 1 Like on Twitter 1642898790221770752 Twitter 1642898790221770752
Load More

From our sponsors




Google Calendar







Search

Archives

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter




Copyright © 2023 Owned and operated by BMG Media Empire LLC. Read the terms of use. Some rights reserved.