PHOTO: gay marriage is mentioned in the front page student newspaper article by Sean Bassinger, "College Republicans welcomes GOP candidates," OSU Barometer, Jan. 24, 2014, p. 1, 4 that summarizes the positions on gay marriage of the Oregon Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate, which have surprisingly shifted toward a tacit support of marriage equality, despite words to the contrary by a few Republicans who are still trying to bring religion and German Nazi's into the discussion to paint Republicans as being the "victims" of liberal's "political correctness."
Below are some highlights:
"Republican senator and governor candidates gathered in the Memorial Union lounge Thursday to discuss issues involving higher education, marriage equality and minimum wage benefits. . .
"The Oregon senator candidates present were: Mark Callahan, Jason Conger, Tim Crawley and Jo Rae Perkins. Perkins, Callahan and Cuff are OSU alumni. . .
"The five senator candidates are competing against the current senator, Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.
"Before the event, the College Republicans provided an opportunity for students and community members to submit questions to the candidates.
"College Republicans President Donald Handeland gave each candidate a moment to introduce himself or herself and discuss a broad outline of issues he or she wished to tackle.
"On the issue of marriage equality, multiple candidates said the government should not be in the marriage business.
Cuff, though against same-sex marriage, said he advocated for respect among all individuals regardless of their lifestyle choices.
"My faith tells me that I'm not the judge," Cuff said. "Jesus Christ is the judge."
Perkins, who said she has friends who are gay, bisexual and cross-dressers, also disagrees with same-sex marriage.
"If you want to have a gay marriage, then go live in a state where it's already legalized," Perkins said, "do not impose what you believe and force it on me."
Justesen and Richardson were the only candidates who said they would not oppose the Marriage Equality Act if it were signed into place." " (Quoted from Sean Bassinger, "College Republicans welcomes GOP candidates," OSU Barometer, Jan. 24, 2014, p. 1, 4)
It is heartening to witness the positive shift of Republicans toward supporting gay marriage in the few years since when President George Bush ran for reelection in 2004 and the topic of gay marriage was used to bring out voters with Constitutional Amendments against gay marriage on the Oregon ballot, when it passed. Legal challenges to these bans on same-sex marriage in Oregon and other states are winding their way through the court systems to a possible resolution in the U.S. Supreme Court due to the conflict between various Federal Courts and State court decisions. See the article by Steven DuBois, Associated Press, "Judge consolidates Oregon lawsuits on gay marriage," Gazette-Times, Jan. 23, 2014, p. A4 bigstory.ap.org published online Jan. 22, 2014.
Some other things of interest:
- Jennifer Coodstein,"Robin Roberts, Obama's Marriage Equality Interviewer, Comes Out," gaycitynews.com posted December 30, 2013 - "ABC "Good Morning America" host Robin Roberts, who interviewed President Barack Obama in early 2012 when he decided to announce his support for marriage equality, came out as a lesbian." - Roberts was still in the Closet when she asked Obama about his position on gay marriage and as a result it looked like she was feeling guilty about being in the closet and asked the question as a way to slowly come out.
- Johnny Diaz, Sun Sentinel, "LGBT library seeks Smithsonian link," Gazette-Times, Jan. 26, 2014, p. B9 - stonewallnationalmuseum.org - "Already the largest circulating library of gay literature and periodicals nationally, the Fort Lauderdale center is now aiming for more: with a new "Dear Abby" exhibit; the launch of a separate 2,000-square-foot gallery in Wilton Manors; and the hopes of becoming affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C."
