Democratic
presidential hopeful John Edwards was given a tour of the
Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center by center CEO Lorri
L. Jean on June 26, a release from the center reports.
Though Jean
invited all presidential aspirants for a tour, only Edwards
accepted the offer. Republican John McCain refused, and all
others have not yet replied.
Edwards's tour
included visits to the Jeffrey Goodman Special Care
Clinic, pharmacy, and 24-bed transitional living program for
homeless youth, the release states.
At the end of the
tour, Jean spoke with Edwards about the right to marry,
saying, "I am yearning for the day when a viable
presidential candidate--a candidate like you--will
have courage to lead and to clearly and unequivocally
say that my people are also entitled to participate in
the promise of America, including the freedom [to] marry. I
ask you to seriously consider being that person."
According to the
release, Edwards "took the whole discussion very
well," thanked Jean for the center's "fine and important
work," and spoke about his wife's recently announced
advocacy for same-sex marriage. Jean hopes Edwards's
visit will prompt other presidential hopefuls to
accept her offer to tour the center. (The Advocate)