Poughkeepsie Journal

Tuesday, July 27, 2004

Same-sex nuptials backers press cause

By Anthony Farmer
Poughkeepsie Journal

BOSTON -- San Francisco may have been first.

New Paltz may have been the most provocative.

But in Boston, and other communities around Massachusetts, gay and lesbian couples getting married has become a part of everyday life.

Against that backdrop, Democrats have come to Boston this week to nominate John Kerry as their candidate to take on President Bush in November. Kerry has not embraced the position of his home state.

Speaking to the Democrats' Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender caucus Monday afternoon, singer Carole King expressed the conflicting views many in the room had about the man they're hoping will be the next president.

King said she agreed with Kerry on numerous issues.

''I cannot agree with his stance on gay marriage,'' King added, before expressing some optimism. ''Some people need a little more time. With our love and support I think he will eventually come to where we are on this issue.''

While the Bush campaign has sought to use the gay marriage issue to rally support for its stance in favor of a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman, Kerry and running mate John Edwards have shied away from the issue.

Kerry and Edwards oppose gay marriage. The two also oppose a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

With 255 delegates at the convention, the caucus boasts its largest numbers -- and perhaps most clout -- it's ever had in the party.

While that hasn't translated into the party platform supporting gay nuptials, the message repeated Monday was that the Bush administration offers less hope and in fact, hostility, toward those gathered in a ballroom at the Sheraton Boston Hotel.

New Paltz issue

A spokesman for the group organizing same-sex marriage ceremonies in New Paltz noted the irony of the convention being held in Boston while the Kerry campaign has yet to embrace the cause. The New Paltz Equality Initiative has so far assisted with 231 marriage ceremonies.

''We in the movement really wish that they would take a stronger stance and come out in support of this issue,'' said James Fallarino, spokesman for the group.

''It's also sort of an appropriate place for it to happen,'' Fallarino said of the convention site. ''Maybe they'll inspire more Democrats to take a stand on this issue.''

One of several openly gay elected officials at the meeting said afterward King's message was right on. Key West Mayor Jimmy Weekley said Kerry's position is preferable to Bush's.

''Through time, it probably will change,'' Weekley said of Kerry's stance.

U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, said the issue really is not one for the presidential campaign or the federal government. It's been used as a divisive tactic by the Bush administration.

''Each state will decide the issue by itself,'' Hinchey said in a telephone interview Monday.

Boston City Clerk Rosaria Salerno said a same-sex wedding she performed Monday at city hall was one of many since the Massachusetts law went into effect in mid-May.

''It happens on a regular basis,'' Salerno said. ''I wish some of the people in Washington who are so feverish to do anything they can to prevent this can be tucked in a corner somewhere and see these ceremonies.''

Anthony Farmer can be reached at apfarmer@poughkeepsiejournal.com