Florida Agenda

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – A new survey of Illinois delegates to the 2012 Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina this week indicates that President Obama’s support for legalizing same-sex marriage helps his reelection chances. Almost 78 percent of respondents to a Chicago Daily Herald survey said that the president’s announcement this year supporting marriage equality will help him among independent voters. The remainder thinks his position will neither help nor hurt him.

The responses of the 40 Prairie State delegates stands in stark contrast to those of GOP delegates surveyed by the newspaper prior to last week’s Republican National Convention in Tampa. In those answers, 33 percent said that Republican nominee Mitt Romney’s opposition to gay marriage will help him with independent voters. Only 4 percent said that his position will hurt his chances, while 64 percent think it will neither help nor hurt him.

In Illinois, lawmakers have approved civil unions, while a suit seeking to legalize marriage equality is working its way through the state’s courts.

By Cliff Dunn

TAMPA – Last week, a draft of the Republican Party platform was posted on the Republican National Committee Web site, then quickly taken down—but not before at least one copy was downloaded.

In its foreign policy section—titled “American Exceptionalism”—the draft includes language that reads, “The effectiveness of our foreign aid has been limited by the cultural agenda of the [Obama] Administration, attempting to impose on foreign countries, especially the peoples of Africa, legalized abortion and the homosexual rights agenda.”

It added, “We will reverse this tragic course, encourage more involvement by the most effective aid organizations, and trust developing peoples to build their future from the ground up.”

Although the section on international human rights addressed, “the work of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, established by Congressional Republicans to advance the rights of persecuted peoples everywhere,” and notes that a “Republican Administration will return the advocacy of religious liberty to a central place in our diplomacy,” no mention was given to the violence and murder against LGBT persons, or the activism against such brutality, which is reported in Europe, Asia, and Africa on an almost-weekly basis. It also fails to address Uganda’s 2009 legislation (still in Parliament) which calls for the death penalty for those found guilty of “aggravated homosexuality.” It was response to acts of violence abroad that moved Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in December 2011 to tell UN delegates that “gay rights are human rights.” When President Obama ordered “all agencies engaged abroad to ensure that U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance promote and protect the human rights of LGBT persons,” Texas Governor Rick Perry—who was then seeking the Republican presidential nomination— objected that “promoting special rights for gays in foreign countries is not in America’s interests, and not worth a dime of taxpayers’ money.”

The 2012 Republican platform supports “traditional marriage,” which it defines as between a man and a woman. A draft last week calls for a constitutional amendment that recognizes that definition, which would ban gay men and women from marrying. It condemns judges—including Bush-43 appointees—who have ruled in favor of marriage equality, calling it “an assault on the foundations of our society, challenging the institution which, for thousands of years in virtually every civilization, has been entrusted with the rearing of children and the transmission of cultural values.”

It likewise calls President Obama’s decision not to defend the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court “a mockery of the President’s inaugural oath,” and “commend[s] the United States House of Representatives” for taking up the legal slack. Although at press time the platform draft does not call for reinstating Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, which was repealed by President Obama, it rejects “the use of the military as a platform for social experimentation.”

A cadre of platform committee members consists of former Ron Paul delegates, who reportedly joined with Log Cabin Republicans and other libertarian-leaning members to include the conciliatory statement, “We embrace the principle that all Americans should be treated with respect and dignity.”

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – Democratic Party officials announced on Saturday their endorsement of marriage equality, and called for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

The Platform Committee for the Democratic National Convention, which gathers next month in North Carolina, met last week in Detroit, and approved the work of a separate group that drafted the platform two weeks ago, which included support for a “plank” that endorses same-sex marriage. That move echoes President Obama’s May announcement in support of marriage equality for all Americans.

The platform, a broad statement of the Democrats’ priorities on defense, the economy, and social issues, affirms the party’s “movement to secure equal treatment under law for same-sex couples.” Foretelling opposition from religious conservatives, the platform adds, “We also support the freedom of churches and religious entities to decide how to administer marriage as a religious sacrament without government interference.”

In addition, the language calls for the repeal of DOMA, the 1996 law that was signed by President Bill Clinton, a Democrat. Five federal courts have ruled that DOMA is unconstitutional.

Cory Booker, the Mayor of Newark, New Jersey and co-chairman of the platform committee, acknowledged the “profound indignities” of DOMA’s provisions, as well as the divisiveness of the issue. “At the end of the day, it’ll maybe repel some and attract others to be more engaged,” Booker said.

Over the weekend, Democrats set wheels in motion to endorse a pro-samesex marriage plank for the summer’s National Convention party platform, something that has long been lobbied by LGBT supporters and honorary gays like the DNC chair, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman (D-Florida), whose 20th Congressional District encompasses a high concentration of LGBT residents and gay neighborhoods, including Wilton Manors.

Although marriage equality is a hotbutton issue on the state level, both major parties have steered clear of making it the central issue of the 2012 presidential campaign, with good reason: Republicans are scared of being labeled exclusionary or, worse, homophobic, and Democrats are nervous about getting tagged as provoking a culture war, and as of Monday, neither Democratic Party mandarins nor the Obama campaign wanted to talk about it.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest was equally tight-lipped, declining to comment during Monday’s press briefing. “The president’s position on this view has been well-chronicled, shall we say,” Earnest said. “But in terms of a specific reaction to the platform, I’d refer you to my colleagues at the DNC.”

There wasn’t much forthcoming from the Obama campaign, either. “The president’s personal views on marriage equality are known,” spokeswoman Clo Ewing said, stating the obvious and repeating a statement the campaign made last week, before the 15 members of the DNC platform draft committee met. “The president and the party are committed to crafting a platform that reflects the president’s positions and the values of the party.”

In Fort Lauderdale, Broward County Property Appraiser Lori Parrish applauded the DNC move. “’Equal rights’ means equal rights for all,” Parrish, who celebrates her own 25th wedding anniversary tomorrow, told the Agenda. “Most of the gay couples I know have been together longer than Geoff and I have,” she added, noting also that in America, marriage is more than about a commitment ceremony. “Families should be treated equally when it comes to social security, pensions,” and other considerations possessing legal status, Parrish said.

Openly-gay former Wilton Manors Vice Mayor Justin Flippen called it “Encouraging news,” adding that, “as an official voting delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention, I am pleased to see that the party of the people has moved towards a party platform of equality for all the people of the United States of America.”

In Miami-Dade County, North Miami City Councilman Scott Galvin and other openly-gay officials expressed support for Democrats taking the lead. “I’m thrilled to see my party leading the way,” Galvin told the Agenda. “The day is near when people will be surprised that such protections weren’t there all along. The Democrats get to call ‘first!’”

Six states have legalized same-sex marriage, and several others have ballot measures on the issue this fall. Although recognition of marriage equality is viewed as a boost to the Democrats’ efforts to energize the base, and pump up fundraising in the LGBT community, there are many voters—including many Democrats and independents in swing states—that remain opposed.

Former U.S. Rep. Travis Childers, a Mississippi Democrat unseated during the 2010 Tea Party fad, said that center-right “Blue Dog” Democrats like himself have misgivings about a pro-gay marriage plank. “It is not something that I would agree with, that part of the platform,” Childers said after Monday’s announcement. “I think the conservative Democrats, especially in the South—a great number will disagree with that.”

Opponents of marriage equality were more to the point. “They can kiss the presidential election, the House, and now the Senate goodbye,” said Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage. Although Brown concedes that gay donors and other contributors of a more progressive leaning may open their checkbooks as a result of the DNC plank, he predicts that “at the end of the day, San Francisco and Hollywood don’t elect the President of the United States.”

WASHINGTON, DC – President Obama’s reelection campaign reports an upsurge in political donations following his announcement in support of marriage equality. Campaign officials report that within minutes of last week’s endorsement, which the chief executive made during an interview with ABC News reporter Robin Roberts that aired in part on last Wednesday and was broadcast in full the following morning on “Good Morning America.” “I am just so happy,” said openly gay Obama campaign Finance Director Rufus Gifford, in a fundraising message.

“If you’re proud of our president, this is a great time to make a donation to the campaign.” Although the campaign won’t comment on the exact dollar amounts involved, an individual close to the process was quoted as saying the response was “astounding.” Both campaign officials and Democratic Party fundraisers say that many contributors have given the maximum allowable under election laws to both organizations. Federal statutes permit an individual to contribute up to $5,000 to the Obama reelection effort, and $30,800 to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), in addition to be donations they can make to individual state campaign efforts for the president.

“Here I thought the LGBT community was already knocking it out of the ballpark for Obama, and now I see they’ve expanded the ballpark,” said openly gay DNC Treasurer Andrew Tobias. “And many of my straight donors are energized as well. People are excited up and down the line.” Both the president’s reelection bid and that of his presumptive challenger, Republican Mitt Romney, are focusing intense energies on building their competing campaign war chests. Last Thursday, both Obama and the former Massachusetts governor attended major fundraising events, with the Romney campaign reportedly pulling in $800,000 at a Nebraska event.

The president attended a $40,000-aplate dinner at the home of George Clooney in Los Angeles, which sources say could rake in as much as $16 million between in-person and online contributions. The refocused debate over marriage equality could also benefit Romney’s campaign, with donations from social and religious conservatives who support the preservation of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and who likewise would support a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a man and woman.

The candidate himself seemed to throw water on the idea of campaigning negatively on gay marriage, which might reflect the political realities of trying not to alienate moderate and independent voters who may support same sex marriage. Appearing last Thursday on Fox News Channel, the presumptive Republican contender said, “I don’t think the matter of marriage is really a fundraising matter either for the president and it certainly is not for me.”

By CLIFF DUNN

PHOTO: OFA - Obama For America

A movement is underway within the Democratic Party leadership to add language to the party’s platform, or statement of goals and principles, that gives full support to marriage equality. The proposed language would be included in the platform at this year’s Democratic National Convention, which will be held from Sept. 3 – 6 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Every four years, both major political parties–and many smaller ones as well— issue a manifesto known as a “platform” that outlines a list of principles and actions which the organization supports as a means of appealing to the broader electorate. The platform is a statement of intent of what the party plans to accomplish legislatively and what social policies it proposes to support.

The platform is comprised of individual proposals and statements of principle and intent in support of (or opposition to) topics of political urgency, social relevance, and often controversy. Known as “planks,” they are named after the wooden slats that are assembled to construct a speaker’s platform.

Among the upper echelon of Democrats who have come out in support of a plank that espouses marriage equality is House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-California). The LGBT rights group Freedom to Marry has crafted language that proposes a reversal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which bans federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

Last month the group, which was formed in 2003, launched its “Democrats: Say I Do” campaign, to gather signatures in support of the proposed plank. Thus far, about 30,000 people have signed the organization’s online petition to add marriage equality to the party platform.

Pelosi, who was the nation’s first female Speaker of the House of Representatives (2007-2011), is joined by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-New Hampshire). Shaheen’s state is one of eight states to have legal-ized same-sex marriage. Former Sen. Russ Feingold of Wisconsin has likewise endorsed the Freedom to Marry proposal.

The language as it would appear in the party platform reads: “The Democratic Party supports the full inclusion of all families in the life of our nation, with equal respect, responsibility, and protection under the law, including the freedom to marry. Government has no business putting barriers in the path of people seeking to care for their family members, particularly in challenging economic times.

We support the Respect for Marriage Act and the overturning of the federal so-called ‘Defense of Marriage Act,’ and oppose discriminatory constitutional amendments and other attempts to deny the freedom to marry to loving and committed same-sex couples.”

Last week, the Washington Blade reported that 22 U.S. senators, including Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), John Kerry (D-MA), Frank Lautenburg (D-NJ), Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY), had announced their support for the platform language.

“These 22 senators from across the nation all know firsthand why marriage matters to gay and lesbian couples, their kids, their kin, and our country,” said Evan Wolfson, president and founder of the New York-based advocacy group.

“Their support for Freedom to Marry’s ‘Say I Do’ campaign shows real momentum among Democrats for what the Democratic Party does at its best — overcome discrimination and barriers and lead the way toward a more perfect union. Freedom to Marry looks forward to working with these Democratic leaders, others joining the call, and those signing our online petition to put the Party and then America squarely on the side of liberty and justice for all.”

Supporters of the plank as well as those who urge caution about the timing of the language note the irony of North Carolina as the site of the 2012 Democratic National Convention.

In May, Tar Heel State voters will consider a proposed amendment to North Carolina’s constitution that would reaffirm the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, and which LGBT activists say would threaten all forms of domestic partnerships and civil unions for gay couples. Rights advocates have called the proposed Amendment One “draconian.”

“The proposed amendment to our state constitution is wrong on multiple levels. It denies equal rights under the law, a mainstay of America’s democracy since the beginning,” warned Cecil Bothwell, a Democratic candidate in the state’s Congressional primary.

“It is so poorly worded that it is likely to cause real harm to women, to unmarried couples with children, to seniors living together, in addition to its stated goal of preventing same-sex marriage,” added Bothwell, who is straight.

Voters in 30 states have approved bans on gay marriage, and a January survey by Raleigh-based Public Policy Polling found that 56 percent of North Carolina voters favor Amendment One. President Barack Obama has also muddied the political waters with his mixed signals on marriage equality.

In 2008, Obama—who is counting on North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes in November—announced that he supported civil unions for gays, but opposed marriage equality. He has since said, murkily, that his position is “evolving.”

And there are Democrats who support LGBT rights but are urging caution on this most sensitive of social issues. “I think the most important thing that we need to do at the convention is stay focused on jobs,” Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley recently told the Huffington Post. O’Malley last week signed marriage equality into law in the Old Line State, but says he doesn’t want the party’s emphasis to shift from jobs and the economy to social issues, which could alienate independent voters.

“That’s what’s going to re-elect the president and hopefully elect more Democrats to Congress,” said O’Malley, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association.