OH-10: Kucinich (D) Seeks Support From Gay Equality Proponents

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Cleveland) is out ahead of the other Democratic contenders on equal rights for the LBGTQ community. He supports gay marriage, not just civil unions like the others. And his health plan provides full AIDS treatment to all U.S. residents.

In an email, Kucinich is urging supporters to participate in a week of vigils to support equal rights:

Between October 7 and October 13, 2007, straight people across the nation will "come out" as supporters of equal rights for the gay and lesbian community in America. ... [O]vernight vigils will light up American cities, providing support and visibility to heterosexual men and women who have the courage and conviction to stand up for their gay and lesbian friends and neighbors.

This movement, dubbed Seven Straight Nights for Equal Rights, was initiated by Soulforce and Atticus Circle, two Texas-based organizations with members across the nation. ...

These courageous community leaders are telling their elected officials and the media that "equality is not a gay issue, not an urban elite issue, not an East Coast or a West Coast issue -- it's an American issue, and Seven Straight Nights is making Americans' support for lesbian and gay equality visible as never before."

We urge you to join this movement. Please go to SevenStraightNights.org and find a vigil near you. Plan to attend, and contact the organizers to find out how you can help. ...

So please support these important vigils. Wear your T-shirts, bring your signs, and let the nation know that not only is the Kucinich campaign the campaign of civil and human rights, but the Kucinich campaign team is far ahead when it comes to standing strong with the LGBTQ community.

I am a committed supporter of equal rights, including gay marriage, so I applaud the Kucinich campaign for this outreach and also the organizers of the week-long event. As a political observer, however, this appeal confirms the rather obvious conclusion that Kucinich's campaign is about the soapbox, not about winning the nomination. As ardently as I believe in full equality for the LBGTQ community, to this point it remains something of a third rail for candidates for nationwide office to endorse gay marriage. I can only hope that it does not remain so.