Issue Number 1015 | Minority Report

SUBSCRIBE
Print Edition
Digital Edition
SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
Print Edition
Digital Edition

|| COLUMN ||

Comments (6)Post a Comment Tag this page Page: 1 | 2

Minority Report

By reframing marriage equality as a civil right, two African-American governors have become leading voices for gay rights.

By Rob McCollum

From The Advocate September 23, 2008

Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick and New York governor David Paterson have more than a few things in common. Of course, there’s the obvious: Both men are handsome, charismatic, and in their 50s. Both are the first black governors of their states—and only the second and third nationwide since Reconstruction. But less obvious -- at least to the average voter -- is their similar dedication to pro-gay politics.

Unlike his antigay Republican predecessor, Mitt Romney, Patrick has continually flexed his political muscle to ensure all of his constituents are treated equally. “In Massachusetts equal means equal,” he said in late July when he signed legislation that allows out-of-state gay couples to wed in Massachusetts. This repealed an obscure, 95-year-old law Romney had enforced to ensure that Massachusetts, as he explained, would not become the “Las Vegas of same-sex marriage.”

Paterson is just as impressive. A soft-spoken, legally blind politico, who represented Harlem in the state senate for two decades before becoming New York’s lieutenant governor in 2006, he’s been a staunch ally and ahead of the curve on gay issues. One of Paterson’s first major acts, after becoming governor in March, was ordering all state agencies to recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other jurisdictions. The New York Times remarked that Paterson has become “something of a celebrity” since making that decision, noting he received “a hero’s welcome” while marching in New York City’s gay pride parade this June.

Think about it. Of the 50 men and women who occupy governor’s mansions in the United States, only two are black. And these two black men are arguably the most gay-friendly to ever be governor -- including New Jersey’s Jim McGreevey, who came around to gay rights only after coming out and leaving office.

Story continues on next page...

Page: 1 | 2

Reader Comments

These comments are reproduced as written by visitors to this Web site. They have not been edited for content, grammar, or spelling. The viewpoints appearing here are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or views of advocate.com, The Advocate, or its affiliates.

Name: Robert
Date posted: 2008-09-03 1:54 PM
Hometown: Joplin, MO

Comment:

Saying that Mitt Romney is gay friendly is like saying that Rudolph Hoess, the Commandant at Auschwitz, was friendly to the Jewish community. Romney is a Republican; a member of a group that has opposed equal rights for blacks, women, and gays for over a century. He may pay lip service to the GLBT community by saying he supports ENDA but when it came time to vote, the man vanished. He flatly refused to sign any state legislation that would have bestowed equal rights to all citizens of Massachusetts. I'm not saying that Democrats have had a stellar track record; but last I checked, the Dems weren't historically affiliated with groups like the KKK or Nazis; but I could be wrong.

Name: joeydg
Date posted: 2008-08-28 8:24 PM
Hometown: Utah

Comment:

Mitt Romney has made it clear that he is morally opposed to homosexuality and to gay marriage. He has, however, stressed the importance of equality for every citizen, including homosexuals. He has voted in favor of gay rights and for benefits and privileges (for gay people who would like a civil union) that are currently only afforded to straight married couples. "Romney during an interview with NBC’s 'Meet the Press' said he supports the contentious Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which adds 'sexual orientation' to a list of federally protected classes that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin." He is about as gay friendly as a conservative Republican politician can be.

If you would like to submit a comment for posting, please fill out the form above.

All comments submitted via this form are subject to posting or publication. (To send a private letter to an Advocate editor or writer, please use the e-mail button at the top of the page, or use snail mail.) If you would like your comment considered for publication in The Advocate magazine, please include your full name, your city of residence, and a phone number where you can be reached during business hours so that we can confirm your identity. Your e-mail address and telephone number are strictly confidential and will not be shared or used for any purpose other than to contact you about your comment.

Comments that do not concern specific articles in The Advocate or on Advocate.com will not be posted or published. See the Contact page for sending comments for reasons other than responding to Advocate editorial and news stories.

Please note that comments sent by fax or snail mail are unlikely to be posted, although they will be considered for publication along with all letters received via e-mail or via this Web page. Comments that chiefly concern Advocate.com content will be considered for posting only on the Web site. The Advocate reserves the right to edit submitted comments for grammar, spelling, obscenities, or libel; we will, however, do our best to preserve the original comment's style and intent. Comments considered for publication in The Advocate magazine may also be edited for length.