Republican vice
presidential candidate and Alaskan governor Sarah
Palin said that she will not officially issue a proclamation
recognizing National Coming Out Day. She declined a
request by Alaskans Together for Equality to
acknowledge the day, which will be on Saturday.
The organization
says it approached her after the vice presidential
debate on October 2, when debate moderator Gwen Ifill asked
Palin and Democratic counterpart Joe Biden whether
they support gay marriage.
After both said
they did not, Palin added, "If there's any kind of
suggestion at all from my answer that I would be anything
but tolerant of adults in America choosing their
partners, choosing relationships that they deem best
for themselves, you know, I am tolerant, and I have a very
diverse family and group of friends. And even within that
group you would see some who may not agree with me on
this issue; some very dear friends who don't agree
with me on this issue."
According to the
press release, Palin -- in October alone -- has issued
proclamations for Careers in Construction Week, 10th Annual
Christian Heritage Week, Biomedical Technician Week,
Alaska Taiwan Friendship Week, World Farm Animals Day,
Breastfeeding Awareness Month, and Grand Opening of
Rilke Schule Day.
"Governor Palin
called for 'tolerance,' and we hoped she'd show that
type of leadership as governor with this proclamation," said
Alaskans Together president Marsha Buck. "Coming out
is a difficult and deserves recognition." (Michelle
Garcia, The Advocate)