Alexi Giannoulias may have been the first statewide candidate to come out in favor of full and equal rights for Illinois' homosexual and transgender community, but he's not the last. Over the weekend, Tribune columnist Eric Zorn received an email from David Hoffman's spokesperson Daniel X. O'Neil elaborating on the Senate candidate's position:
David Hoffman does not believe the government should intrude or discriminate on the question of who people decide to marry and spend the rest of their lives together. It's an issue of equality and fundamental fairness and all people -- regardless of sexual orientation -- should be provided the same protection under the law.
If elected, O'Neil also says Hoffman would support bills in Washington to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and the military's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy, positions he shares with Giannoulias. (While supportive of DOMA reforms, Cheryle Jackson thinks "civil unions as the best way to extend full civil rights to gay and lesbian partners.") Republican Senate candidate Mark Kirk opposes gay marriage and the repeal of both laws.
Gubernatorial candidate Dan Hynes is looking to distinguish himself from Gov. Pat Quinn on the issue of gay rights, as well. In an interview with Zorn, the comptroller said that “if two committed adults want to express their love and their commitment to each other through marriage, I believe they should be allowed to under civil law.” Quinn -- a civil unions proponent -- has not openly advocated in favor gay marriage.
That more high-profile candidates are taking a strong stance in support of gay marriage is welcome news. It should benefit them at the polls. A majority of Democrats back gay marriage now and public opinion is shifting toward acceptance of equal rights more broadly.
Comments
Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 09/21/2009 - 09:43
Further proof that Giannoulias really is a leader - while it's an excellent position to have and I respect all of those who have taken it in the past couple days, they really are bandwagoners in my book.
Mary (not verified) on Mon, 09/21/2009 - 10:15
As a member of the LGBT community on Chicago's Northside, I along with countless individuals, including my partner, have spent several years lobbying our legislative leaders with respect to marriage equality. I agree with the previous post, that Alexi's position on this issue has been no secret for a long time and his friends in the LGBT community acknowledge and respect him for this.
While I commend other candidates for their recent support of marriage equality, I recall the debate on marriage equality during Barack's 2004 Senate race, when Dan Hynes repeatedly stated that he believed "marriage should only be between a man and a woman." Progress Illinois should ask Dan Hynes what recently made him switch his position??? How could you be against marriage equality one election cycle, then suddenly reverse your position. My friends and I in the LGBT community know who our allies are. It is a fair question.
Adam Doster on Mon, 09/21/2009 - 13:48
Mary,
Hynes explains in the Zorn interview if you click through.
Hynes used to espouse the “civil unions, yes; gay marriage, no” position of Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn. “I've grown to understand the issue better as a result of working with advocacy groups and the GLBT community," he said.
It's vague, but it's something.
Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/23/2009 - 15:46
May be they have other motives for coming out in support of gay marriage. Oh, you only cover high profile candidates. How Progressive.
Phil Krone (not verified) on Sat, 09/26/2009 - 09:52
Dan Hynes' public support for legalized marriages between adults regardless of gender or sexual preference is not only 'politically correct', it reflects his and his wife's own personal beliefs. Years ago, when Dan and his wife Christina were married, my wife and I were invited to their comparatively small wediding. Among the other guests were two males who were invited as a couple, and who themselves were later married in Canada. So Hynes' political position is consistent with his lack of hypocrisy.
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