ShortFormBloghuman rights campaign Archives

What NOM and its allies are doing in Minnesota is shockingly bold.
Human Rights Campaign’s Kevin Nix • Commenting on allegations that the Minnesota branch of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) skirted campaign finance laws in a series of emails directing contributions to the Minnesota Family Council. John Helmberger, chairman of NOM, is also the acting head of the Minnesota Family Council, a non-profit organization that backs NOM and is not required to disclose its donors. source

Posted by Scott Craft • 0 Comments • Permalink

There was no open support of gay marriage in tonight’s speech, but Obama did speak out in favor of more equality for gays. The president, fresh off his success with the full repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” continued pushing for his view on the Defense of Marriage Act — “It should join ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ in the history books,” he said — and emphasized the hard work that he’s done for the gay rights movement over the past three years. (He also, when bringing up his jobs bill, dropped a couple of government-related lines that will anger those on the right, such as “I believe in a big America”.) While Obama has yet to come out in support for gay marriage (perhaps his most puzzling view), he has done more for gay rights than any president, ever. Still, his view on gay marriage is one that was likely on the minds of many listening to Obama. Here’s how his views have changed on the still-controversial issue over the years:

2004 While he was still in the Illinois State Senate and running for U.S. Senate, a former aide claims that Obama he supported gay marriage at the time.
2008 When he ran for president, however, Obama made it clear that while he supported civil unions, he did not support gay marriage.
2010 Obama’s views on gay marriage began evolving; as of 2011, the Obama administration no longer enforces the Defense of Marriage Act. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

I’m not in his district. But I DO live in Minnesota and a statewide policy regarding marriage equality effects EVERYONE living in our state.
Minnesota resident Annie Modesitt • Discussing her anger over receiving a fairly rude e-mail from Minnesota State Rep. Tony Cornish that seemed to trivialize her emotion on the gay rights issue. She was one of a number of people who took part in a Human Rights Campaign petition against Cornish, who voted in favor of a proposed state constitutional amendment on gay marriage. Cornish has sent a number of these, including one where he reportedly wrote, “Try writing your own letter without forwarding someone else’s anger and resentment. Get an idea of your own.” Hey Tony, we would like to share our own idea: If this is true, you’re a moron because you respond to form letter e-mails and turn small potatoes into big stories. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

The president plans to end the controversial Clinton-era policy. Speaking at the Human Rights Campaign tonight, Obama renewed his pledge to the gay community. “Do not doubt the direction we are heading and the destination we will reach,” he said. Many were supportive, but others noted that, while warm and fuzzy, he didn’t bring up specifics in the speech. source

Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

07 Feb 2012 14:43