Sen. Mark Warner Announces Support For Marriage Equality

[cal04]

Last edited Tue Mar 26, 2013, 09:36 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: TPM

Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA) announced his support for gay marriage on Monday. Via his Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/MarkRWarner

I support marriage equality because it is the fair and right thing to do. Like many Virginians and Americans, my views on gay marriage have evolved, and this is the inevitable extension of my efforts to promote equality and opportunity for everyone. I was proud to be the first Virginia governor to extend anti-discrimination protections to LGBT state workers. In 2010, I supported an end to the military’s ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy, and earlier this month I signed an amicus brief urging the repeal of DOMA. I believe we should continue working to expand equal rights and opportunities for all Americans.

Warner is up for re-election in 2014. He joins Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Rob Portman (R-OH) and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as pols who have recently reversed their positions on the issue. The Supreme Court is also poised to hear two blockbuster cases on gay rights this week, with historic implications for a cause that is advancing politically at lightning speed.

Read more: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/sen-mark-warner-announces-support-for-marriage-equality

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Senator Mark Warner Endorses Gay Marriage. Who’s Next?
http://swampland.time.com/2013/03/25/senator-mark-warner-endorses-gay-marriage-whos-next/?iid=sl-main-lead

(snip)
Warner joins three other national politicians who have reversed themselves on the gay marriage question this month. Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a Democrat, and Ohio Senator Rob Portman, a Republican, also changed their positions to support equal marriage opportunities for gays and lesbians. Over the weekend, in a Tumblr post, Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, also reversed her former opposition to same-sex marriage.

(snip)
Warner is scheduled on April 6 to appear at the 10th Annual Commonwealth Dinner hosted by Equality Virginia, one of the largest advocacy organizations on behalf of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Virginians. Kevin Clay, Equality Virginia’s Communications Coordinator, said earlier on Monday, “We are recognizing the Senator for being the first governor of Virginia to issue an executive order that included sexual orientation. He will speak following the recognition — we have not seen prepared remarks.”

The 11 remaining Senate Democrats who have not endorsed gay marriage publicly are: Mark Pryor (Ark.), Bob Casey (Pa.), Bill Nelson (Fl.), Jon Tester (Mont.), Tom Carper (Del.), Tim Johnson (S.D.), Joe Manchin (W.Va.), Kay Hagan (N.C.), Mary Landrieu (La.), Heidi Heitkamp (N.D.), and Joe Donnelly (Ind.). They can be broken down into three groups.

http://swampland.time.com/2013/03/25/senator-mark-warner-endorses-gay-marriage-whos-next/?iid=sl-main-lead

Mark Begich, Democratic Senator From Alaska, Issues Statement In Support Of Same Sex Marriage
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/26/mark-begich-same-sex-ma

(snip)
"I believe that same sex couples should be able to marry and should have the same rights, privileges and responsibilities as any other married couple," the Alaskan senator said in what appears to be his first direct statement on the subject.

"Government should keep out of individuals' personal lives—if someone wants to marry someone they love, they should be able to. Alaskans are fed up with government intrusion into our private lives, our daily business, and in the way we manage our resources and economy," he continued.


http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/alaska-sen-mark-begich-says-same-sex-couples-should-be-able

[alsame]

1. The Dems are going to present a

united front on this issue. Nice to see them have a strong spine

[karynnj]

2. Great - though signing on to a more than 50% approval issue is not "strong spine"

Looks like they coordinated their announcements - the Clintons, Mcasskill, and now Warner.

[alsame]

3. But I don't think it's 50%+ in every state, so some of them are

taking a risk. Yesterday someone on TV was talking about McCaskill and that approval in MO is relatively low, but since she has 6 years before the next election she was willing to sign on.

Whatever, I'm just glad it's a unified Democratic voice for equality.

[karynnj]

4. Absolutely true

Thinking of that I am impressed that McCasskill spoke out.

[Cha]

5. Good.. the more people the better!

[BlueDemKev]

6. Wow!

That took guts on Sen. Warner's part. He's up for re-election next year from a state that still has a high conservative population (even though it is dwindling).

[socialindependocrat]

7. I thought of a new argument - I think

If people want a strong family then I would say that a family with two
parents (whether mixed or same sex) is better than a single parent family.


The single parent family is usually trying to become a two parent family.

[brooklynite]

9. Well, golly! All they have to do is not have sex...

[awoke_in_2003]

8. k&R. nt

[DCBob]

10. I think this means he's running for President

He might be serious competition for Hillary.

[Politicub]

11. The times they are a' changing