"MY OPINIONS ON THIS HAVE EVOLVED SIGNIFICANTLY." Via Feministing, San Diego's Republican mayor, Jerry Sanders, was expected to veto legislation supporting gay marriage this week. Yesterday, he decided he couldn't go through with it:
My opinions on this have evolved significantly, as I think the opinions of millions of Americans from all walks of life have […] The arrival of the resolution to sign or veto in my office late last night (pauses as he gets choked up) forced me to reflect and search my soul for the right thing to do. I've decided to lead with my heart, which is probably obvious at the moment, to take a stand on behalf of equality and social justice. The right thing for me to do is to sign this resolution.[…] I just could not bring myself to tell an entire group of 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.
The video is wonderful, but, uh grab a tissue first.
Pam Spaulding and Rex Wockner have more, including comment from his daughter Lisa, who is gay, which he refers to later in the speech. Must-reads if you need some good news this Friday evening.
--Kate Sheppard
