Gay voters in
Georgia are threatening to boycott the state's upcoming
Democratic gubernatorial primary after one of the two
candidates reversed position regarding the state
constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Cathy Cox, Georgia's secretary of state, had been
expected to carry the gay vote in her closely contested
primary July 18 with the state's lieutenant
governor, Mark Taylor, but that was before she
announced her support for a special legislative session to
reinstate Georgia's anti-marriage equality amendment,
recently invalidated by a court, reports The Macon Telegraph.
Previously, Cox had said that a constitutional
amendment was unnecessary because Georgia law already
prohibits same-sex marriage. However, she now supports
the amendment, explaining in a letter to Georgia Equality
that she agrees with the state legislature's effort to
convene a special session to resolve the amendment's
legal problems so that it won't "overshadow all other
important issues" in the future, according to the Telegraph.
Many gay voters in the state, especially in and
around Atlanta, are calling Cox's reversal a
"flip-flop," and some have demanded she return their
campaign contributions. Her campaign spokesperson
acknowledged returning 11 donations amounting to $8,000,
reports the Telegraph.
"I had a Cathy Cox bumper sticker on my car. I
made a contribution. I even stuffed some envelopes for
her," Joshua Stewart, 27, of Atlanta, told the
Telegraph. "Now I won't be voting for a
Democrat in the gubernatorial election." Added Georgia
Equality's executive director, Chuck Bowen: "I think those
sentiments are widespread now, especially in the metro
Atlanta area."
Cox had been expected to carry women and gay
voters in her bid to defeat Taylor, popular among
African-American voters, who make up 50% of the
electorate. "It certainly could hurt her in a big way if
this vote stays home," University of Georgia political
observer Charles Bullock said of gay voters' influence
on Cox's chances. (The Advocate)
