At a private dinner last night with influential gay leaders and elected officials, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) reverses himself on same-sex marriage. New York's senior senator now supports marriage for gay and lesbian couples and a full reversal of
the Defense of Marriage Act, which he voted for years ago.
Schumer's surprising remarks were announced at a dinner organized by Empire State Pride Agenda executive director Alan Van Capelle. (Pride Agenda’s statement on Schumer’s position is here.) "It’s time," Schumer’s office said in a statement to the Daily News. "Equality is something that has always been a hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it. New York, which has always been at the forefront on issues of equality, is appropriately poised to take a lead on this issue."
Schumer's announcement comes about two months after incoming Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand announced her change of position on gay marriage and the repeal of DOMA. Gov. David Paterson appointed Gillibrand to succeed former Sen. Hillary Clinton who was appointed Secretary of State.
Schumer and Clinton were long pressured by LGBT activists in New York to change their position from supporting civil unions to backing full marriage. Both refused to budge but "Schumer’s change of heart will almost certainly bolster efforts to pass marriage legislation in Albany," notes Edge New York.
Accorrding to eQualityGiving, Schumer joins "5 other US senators and 22 members of the House of Representatives" who publicly support full marriage equality.
Schumer Flips on Marriage [NYDN]
Schumer Backs Marriage, Repeal of DOMA [Edge NY]
I don't know... it's kind of like a complimentary insult to me. Politicians sensing the change of tide, changes course for their own gains. They didn't have the backbones to voice support when the position was unpopular. So what? We're supposed to swoon because they suddenly change their minds because they see opportunity for political gain?
While this is certainly a encouraging sign, however, I wonder how long would it last before they abandon us again when the tide changes once more.
Posted by: Lukas | 23 March 2009 at 19:07
Lukas, I'm not going to question people who come to our side. If the goal of activism is to encourage people and politicians to move to our side, then this is a good thing. We can't just applaud people who have been with us all along.
Posted by: Alan T | 23 March 2009 at 20:50
They can change all they want as long as the repeal DOMA - that's Obama's way of getting Marriage in by legislative vote - change away Schumie...
Posted by: Sense Please | 23 March 2009 at 21:31
If you look at the eQualityGiving Web site that Rod links to above, they list what they call "Equality Heroes". These are Congresspeople and governors who support full legal equality for gay people, including marriage.
Six out of the 22 members of the House who are Equality Heroes are black (and one of them is the only Muslim in the U.S. Congress), and two out of the three state governors who are Equality Heroes are black.
I find this so odd since it is common knowledge that black people are so much more homophobic than everyone else.
Posted by: Jim | 24 March 2009 at 00:42