Democrats hush everyone on gay marriage except Kerry's daughter; military ban opposed
Speakers at the podium of the Democratic National Convention are being gagged when it comes to gay marriage. Top party officials and campaign aides said that not only has gay marriage been yanked from the party's official platform, but speakers will be vetted to make sure they steer clear of pro-gay-marriage rhetoric. "You don't have to have a platform that itemizes issue after issue like a New York telephone book," explained national party secretary Alice Germond. Right.
New York Post
No one told this to John Kerry's younger daughter, Vanessa, however. She stood her ground, supporting gay marriage even as the Democrats are trying to sidestep the issue on the convention floor. "To be fair - I've been on the record about it - I personally believe in gay marriage," Vanessa Kerry volunteered at a reporters' breakfast. "And he believes in civil unions, which is still equal rights under the law," said Vanessa, who sat next to her sister, Alexandra. She added: "I respect his opinion enormously ... but if you want to get into the semantics of it, that's it." New York Daily News
Another issue in the platform that no one seems to be talking much about is the Democrats' push for an end to the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. The deeply polarizing issue of gays and lesbians in the military might have even more traction this election, with U.S. deployments strained around the globe, tours of duty extended and discussion of reinstating the draft. Sign on San Diego (photos)
Democrats try to keep marriage out of convention
« Read Previous Post | Queer Day Home | Read Next Story »
