The linked article below is all about a flyer from 2002 Pride that now, the Romney camp is disavowing, but the reality is that Romney’s support for LGBTQ is not that clear. Perhaps like many politicians, he was just out for the votes and trying to portray himself as supportive. In the worst case scenario though this current disavowing is just the failure of a man to show integrity s he fears that many Republican voters  would disagree with him.

But I think this story highlights a bigger issue that is prevelent within the LGBTQ community as well as the whole community- LGTBQ and Straight. one think they can talk about being for equality, but then be anti- same-sex marriage. This is really hogwash. If you truly believe in Equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer persons, then I believe you must also support same-sex marriage. There is no line that can be drawn between LGBTQ Equal Rights and Same-sex marriage. It is all part of the whole.

As a presidential candidate, however, Romney has sought to appeal to the GOP’s more conservative base, promising to institute a complicated three-tier system for married gay couples and signing a pledge from the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage (NOM).

So, let’s call it like it is. Romney doesn’t support full Equality. It is questionable if he really supports any elements of Equality. If he does, I hope he starts to talk about what those are and what tangible actions he would take towards that end. But a three-tier system is not Equality. Period.

I have also heard anti-same-sex marriage sentiments within the Queer community, which really troubles me. While I personally don’t believe that same-sex marriage is the most important thing we should be fighting for, I also recognize it as part of the whole of what Equality is all about. Every couple should have the right to have their relationship recognized legally as Civil Marriage such that the partners are protected and treated fairly.

The come-back I sometimes hear is that marriage should not be the only way to legitimate our relationships, and I do not disagree with that at all. I would not say every couple should get married. But that doesn’t change the truth of this statement:

Every couple should have the right to have their relationship recognized legally as Civil Marriage such that the partners are protected and treated fairly.

via Romney Campaign Disavows 2002 Gay Pride Flyers | ThinkProgress.