Today, MassEquality announces its endorsement of Congressman Ed Markey for US Senate, and its endorsement of state Rep. Carl Sciortino (D-Medford) for Congress.
“We have a special opportunity here in Massachusetts to elect two champions of LGBTQ equality to Congress, one for the US Senate and one in the US House of Representatives,” said MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini. “Congressman Markey is one of the few sitting members of Congress who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. He is a consistent co-sponsor of nearly a dozen legislative measures advancing LGBTQ equality, from anti-bullying measures to transgender-inclusive employment protections to support for bi-national same-sex couples. His record of support goes back decades, spanning his entire career, and he is the clear choice for the LGBTQ community in the Democratic primary for the special election for the US Senate seat.”
“I am honored to receive the endorsement of MassEquality and its transformational movement of inclusion and nondiscrimination. I have always supported equality for the LGBTQ community and believe no one should be denied their rights based on sexual orientation or gender identity. I voted against DOMA and have urged President Obama to prevent discrimination by federal contractors. I will bring this fight for equal rights and advocacy on behalf of LGBTQ people to the US Senate.”
If Congressman Markey is successful in his bid to become the next junior senator from Massachusetts, a special election will be held to fill the Fifth Congressional District seat.
“In what can only be described as a uniquely Massachusetts scenario, every candidate who has so far announced their intent to run for the Fifth Congressional District seat if a special election is held is a champion on LGBTQ issues,” said Suffredini. “In this field of champions, however, Carl Sciortino stands out. Carl got into politics specifically to champion LGBTQ people and the issues that they face. He launched his political career for the purpose of unseating an entrenched anti-marriage incumbent, and there is no dispute that Massachusetts would not have its Transgender Equal Rights Law if it weren’t for Carl’s early, bold and sustained political and moral leadership on transgender equality. Carl is an advocate on every legislative measure in the State House impacting LGBTQ people, from protections for our aging LGBTQ population to resources for people living with HIV and AIDS. These issues are his priority, and he will bring that urgency to Congress, where advancing LGBTQ equality for all Americans as he has done so effectively in Massachusetts will remain his primary goal.”
“I am honored to receive the early endorsement of MassEquality for my candidacy in the Fifth Congressional District,” said Sciortino. “We have made great progress in Massachusetts towards full equality, but we are not yet equal until we are equal everywhere in this country. I will continue the fight in Congress until LGBTQ Americans are finally recognized as fully equal not just in Massachusetts but under federal law as well.”
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MassEquality is the leading statewide grassroots advocacy organization working to ensure that everyone across Massachusetts can thrive from cradle to grave without discrimination and oppression based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. MassEquality does this by partnering across issues, identities and communities to build a broad, inclusive and politically powerful movement that changes hearts and minds and achieves policy and electoral victories.
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Markey was one of the first members of Congress to endorse same-sex marriage and has been at the forefront of progress on this issue. The choice for Senate is clear since the contrast with Lynch’s record is so stark. The choice for Congress is harder since all the candidates have a fantastic record on this issue. But thats also progress! The 5th is solidly Democratic, but it’s also solidly blue collar in parts and has a large Catholic population, for a district like this to require an equality backing Congressman is great progress.
The other? This and this.