Feingold Backs Equal Marriage Rights for Gays

I'm certainly finding much to like about the content of Sen. Russ Feingold's character. Today he took another honest, blunt position on an issue I believe all genuine Dems should be in agreement about: equal civil rights for all -- including the right to engage in civil marriage. According to a press release on Feingold's site today:

Responding to a question posed at his Kenosha County listening session over the weekend, U.S. Senator Russ Feingold said he strongly opposed the proposed civil unions and marriage ban facing Wisconsin voters this November. He also expressed his support for the right of gays and lesbians to marry.

... “The proposed ban on civil unions and marriage is a mean-spirited attempt to divide Wisconsin and I indicated that it should be defeated,” Feingold said. “It discriminates against thousands of people in our communities – our co-workers, our neighbors, our friends, and our family members. It would single out members of a particular group and forever deny them rights and protections granted to all other Wisconsin citizens. It would also outlaw civil unions and jeopardize many legal protections for all unmarried couples, whether of the same or the opposite sex. We shouldn’t enshrine this prejudice in our state’s Constitution.”

... “As I said at the Kenosha County listening session, gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry and have access to the same rights, privileges and benefits that straight couples currently enjoy,” Feingold added. “Denying people this basic American right is the kind of discrimination that has no place in our laws, especially in a progressive state like Wisconsin. The time has come to end this discrimination and the politics of divisiveness that has become part of this issue.”

Feingold noted that removing the prohibition against gay marriage would not impose any obligation on religious groups. He indicated that no religious faith should ever be forced to conduct or recognize any marriage, but that civil laws on marriage should reflect the principle of equal rights under the law.

Imagine. A Democrat speaking out for civil rights for all. Equal means EQUAL. No hemming and hawing. No yes but-ing. No fading. No faking. Each and every American deserves equality under civil law. Period.

As you know, the conventional wisdom punditry has been bad mouthing Feingold's censure resolution as a cheap trick to attract attention to a possible presidential run. Unfortunately, I bet they'll see this move as another link in that chain. Personally, I see both moves as courageous and sincere efforts by a caring and honest Senator to confront wrong-doing and injustice head on. AND they make me want to starting wearing a big blue button just like this one!

Politicos with their eyes on the prize generally don't take controversial positions in this era of spin -- they run from them, as has been evident with Hillary Clinton and others. They listen to the "strategists," "consultants," pollsters, Republican fearmongers and media naysayers. They shy away from anything that could possibly be seen as "liberal" or even traditionally Democratic, afraid to speak honesty and directly about so many of the critical issues of today.

For instance, here in New Mexico our Party platform was purged by the powers that be of any plain language on gay civil marriage, despite near unanimous passage of a resolution supporting it. And yet here we have Feingold -- saying it out loud and saying it just the way it should be framed. And to hell with the cowardly say-nothings. I, for one, intend to be wearing one of those Feingold for President buttons as we meander our way to the 2008 election. How about you?

PS: Click on the image below if you'd like to sign the HRC petition backing equal marriage rights for all: