What are the ramifications of stifling free speech, and/or speech that offends others? Where are the limits and who gets to make them? What happens when it appears as if your rights and my rights can not co-exist? Whose rights win out?
For her, any protections open a slippery slope to gay marriage, so it is better to keep gays and lesbians, discriminated against and treated badly, to protect marriage.
I have often pondered what it must be like for him to think about having 2 gay children. The first, he could chalk up to my mother, and who knows what else. But the second, was born and raised in a small town, church going family environment. Does that impact how he views gay people?
On the one hand, anonymous phone threats are simply cowardly acts. On the other hand, the attempt to intimidate an organization in an effort to thwart free speech and the open sharing of ideas , is country to everything that makes our country what it is.
So, do we want a governor who has a great voting record on progressive issues which shows he goes along with the progressive caucus, or do we want a person who can illustrate his leadership in economic as well as social issues?
What I appreciated most, were his remarks about how the process we go through in the Spring is one of “healthy debate” because our party is such a big tent. But that in the end, we all want the same thing, for everyone to have a fair shake.
I was reminded again by something that another person had pointed out to me some time ago. What are the types of skills a Governor needs as opposed to a Senator (or Congressperson)?
As we continue to move forward towards Equality, Liberation or whatever we label our end goal, it will be in our best interest to continue to explore and understand the full spectrum of individuals who make up the coalition of communities, we are referring to when we say LGBT, or GLBTQ.
I think we can count on legislators to work with us, but so often, it is LGBT and other-wise equality oriented groups that must lead the battle and keep legislators informed and accountable.
Steel City has posted questionnaires from the various democratic candidates for the governor race as well as other races on their blogsite, and some candidates will be present from 3:30-4:30 to answer questions from the audience.