Posted on 09/19/2007 10:03:48 PM PDT by South40
Mayor Jerry Sanders reversed his position on gay marriage Wednesday, supporting it in emotional remarks punctuated by pauses, shaking sips of water and his wife's hand resting one time reassuringly on his back. Sanders' wife, Rana Sampson, stood next to him as he acknowledged publicly for the first time that his daughter, Lisa, is a lesbian.
“I've decided to lead with my heart, which is probably obvious right now, to do what I think is right and to take a stand on behalf of equality and social justice,” Sanders said. A day after staff members said Sanders would veto it, the mayor announced that he would sign a City Council resolution passed Tuesday that directed the City Attorney's Office to file a brief in support of gay marriage.
The council voted 5-3 to send the brief to the state Supreme Court backing an end to the state's ban on same-sex marriage. Similar briefs have been sent by other cities, which like San Diego, are not directly involved in the case.
Almost 200 people attended the council hearing on the issue, with gay marriage supporters arguing for equal treatment under the law, and opponents contending marriage should be between a man and a woman.
“As I reflected on the choices that I had before me last night I could just not bring myself to tell an entire group of people in our community they were less important, less worthy or less deserving of the rights and responsibilities of marriage than anyone else simply because of their sexual orientation,” Sanders said.
In a reference to his daughter and two staff members who are gay, he said, “I want for them the same thing that we all want for our loved ones, for each of them to find a mate whom they love deeply and loves them back, someone with whom they can grow old together and share life's experiences, and I want their relationships to be protected equally under the law.”
In his 2005 mayoral campaign, Sanders said he supported civil unions and domestic partnerships but not gay marriage.
“I have personally wrestled with that opinion ever since,” he said Wednesday his voice wavering. “My opinions on this issue have evolved significantly as I think the opinions of millions of Americans from all walks of life have.”
In a nod to those who don't support gay marriage, he said, “I acknowledge that not all members of our community will agree or even understand.”
the cowardly generation
I live just outside city limits (thank goodness), but please, San Diego city residents, vote this ass out next time. He has been horrible on so many issues and now this...
So much for power to the people. Instead, he is pandering to a very small interest group -- his daughter and a few staff members.
Such a shame. He should be intervening to stop his daughter from condemning her eternal soul, instead he is taking a step that will surely lead to more damnation for others.
This makes me physicaly sick. And this is what happens because people cowtow to the deviant activists.
Exactly; I am convinced homosexuality is a spiritual and phychological disease upon this nation (does that mean we condemn those whom are sick: HECK NO); Jesus didn’t he came for the sick and dying!!
But it is abhorant what our society has done; in cow-towing to their ‘gay-movement’-rather accepting it (soft-response), rather than as you so well put ‘intervening to stop his daughter (and their friends/family) from condemning her (their) eternal soul’.
I agree! This must be stopped: (PLEASE: JESUS!).
Right and what exactly is your logic and reason? Would you call it logic and reason had it been Jerry Sanders been supporting your right to marry with a statement from his heart?
“He has been horrible on so many issues and now this...”
... been doing a pretty good job keeping us out of bankruptcy - the rest of this petty stuff is just side-show
Later, troll.
Oh, so because his daughter turned out to be a perv, and in his infinite kindness (yeah, right) mayor of San Diego thinks it’s OK, now we all (OK, all San Diego only) have to accept it as a legit lifestyle?
Just because someone you love has an issue/condition, doesn’t mean 1) you have to accept it as normal; 2) everyone else has to agree with you.
Homosexualization in full swing...
I hear you, but you seem too resigned. It's up to humans, not up to God, to create communities and community standards. Hopefully the latter will be in tune with God's laws.
All: I don't really think the mayor is amoral by choice. More like brainwashed and spineless. Listen to Evan Sayet's speech to Heritage (YouTube has it). He explains it. Pure gold.
Sorry, the above was to Cyman
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