Al Gore Endorses the Freedom to Marry

Once again, Al Gore gets it exactly right.

On January 17, just before Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and the country's celebration of, and recommitment to, the work of winning civil rights, the Nobel Laureate and former Vice President posted a video on Current TV entitled "Gay men and women should have the same rights."

In his personal statement, Gore looks directly at the camera and unequivocally comes out in favor of ending the exclusion of same-sex couples and their families from marriage. And yes, he says the word marriage.

I think it's wrong for the government to discriminate against people because of that person's sexual orientation.

I think that gay men and women ought to have the same rights as heterosexual men and women, to make contracts, to have hospital visiting rights, to join together in marriage, and I don't understand why it is considered by some people to be a threat to heterosexual marriage to allow it by gays and lesbians.

Shouldn't we be promoting that kind of faithfulness and loyalty to one's partner regardless of sexual orientation?

...[T]he loyalty and love that two people feel for one another when they fall in love ought to be celebrated and encouraged, and shouldn't be prevented by any form of discrimination in the law.

Gore is right -- ending same-sex couples' exclusion from marriage will help families and hurt no one. Same-sex couples across the country are doing the work of marriage in their everyday lives by taking care of each other and their families. For the same reason as non-gay couples, these couples and their kids need and deserve the freedom to marry, with the security, dignity, and safety net it brings through the ups and downs of life.

And is Gore, an Academy Award winner, also paving the way in that arena as well? Just yesterday, a documentary about how the denial of marriage harms gay families was nominated for an Oscar. In Freeheld, film-maker Cynthia Wade tells the story of terminally ill Ocean County, New Jersey police detective Laurel Hester's fight to ensure that her partner receive her pension after her death, coverage that would have come automatically had they been able to marry. Watch the trailer for the documentary here.

With state high court decisions due any time now in marriage cases brought by couples in Connecticut, California, and Iowa; the New Jersey legislature preparing to deal with the reality that civil unions as a substitute for marriage just don't work; and the 11th Annual Freedom to Marry Week (Feb. 10-16) approaches, Al Gore's simple, authentic, direct voice in support of marriage equality shows yet again what leadership really looks like.

Political candidates, and all the rest of us who need to be talking about why marriage matters, should take note.

Gore is again pointing the way -- and ending exclusion from marriage is one climate change the world will be better for.

Follow Evan Wolfson on Twitter: www.twitter.com/freedomtomarry

Comments

[LindainSFNM]

You can't get any righter!

Al Gore, class, integrity, vision, intellect, spiritual and unmatchable experience in our World Leader.

[JLM1977]

GORE/Bloomberg '08

[amberglow]

We're not supposed to cry over spilt milk, but imagine what a better country this would be if Gore had been allowed to take his rightfully won place in the WH.

It's tragic in so many ways, and it's hurt all Americans who aren't filthy rich and/or corrupt and/or cronies of Bush and Cheney.

[RTIII]

WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT.

I absolutely love and adore Al Gore, and have written him a half dozen times (on paper) asking him to run for President.

The problem - the disappointment - is that this is the wrong time for worry about marriage. Truth is, our country is in dire trouble and we're not going to get any progressive movements through while things are the way they are now with a fascist congress (Ds and Rs included) and an out of control President.

NOW is the time for talk about IMPEACHMENT. We'll get to marriage - and other vital issues - just as soon as we can. But right now, there's nothing we can do on this...

[mellene]

I believe Al Gore has stated what must free-thinking Americans believe. It's the religious right and those who want to manage the lives of others that will not take this stand. Right on, Al Gore!

[Pandu]

"Gay men and women should have the same rights."

And they do. A gay man can mary a woman, just like a normal man can. A gay woman can marry a man, just like normal women can.

As a straight man, I cannot marry another man. Nor can a straight woman marry another woman.

Whether straight or gay, the same right exists - to marry someone of the opposite sex and not someone of the same sex. FOR OBVIOUS REASONS.

[LunaNik]

I'm from Massachusetts and, as far as I can see, allowing gays to marry has had absolutely no impact on anyone who is not gay. Cities are not burning here. People are not on the rampage. No heterosexual marriages have been affected. It's all been for the good.

The solution is clear. First, remove the word "marriage" from the equation altogether. All "marriages" sanctioned by States now become "civil unions" regardless of the genders of the participants. Couples united under these civil unions are granted all rights previously conveyed under the term "marriage.­"

Second, any State which refuses to grant unions on any basis but "legal age" loses the right to sanction unions to anyone on the grounds that they are abusing their power in order to discriminate. There could also, perhaps, be financial repercussions for the State.

Third, the State must legally perform the ceremony. Subsequently, the couple may choose to wed in the church of their choice, but it is the State that sanctions the union.

Fourth, if churches wish their opinions to be considered in this matter, they can begin paying federal and state income taxes, and local property taxes. Until that happens, they have no right to an opinion on the law.

Why people care what others do with their private lives is beyond me. They need to mind their own business. Considering that more than half of straight marriages end in divorce, what's so f*cking sanctified about it anyway?

[mediacritic]

That's real guts! Thanks Al. You're right and history will back you up.

[gregnsf]

Clinton, Obama, and Edwards can talk and talk about who is more "progressive" and who will bring greater change. But Al Gore has just put them ALL to shame. Clinton doesn't want to talk about the issue if she can help it. And the two gentlemen have said marriage is too religious in nature to be given to those (shudder!) gays. (They seemed almost squeemish.­) And no, Elizabeth Edward's comments don't count because SHE isn't running -- though I do like her more than her husband.

I am always aware that when it counts, gay people can't really count on Hillary, or Barack, or John to look out for them. Or for that matter, the Democratic party as a whole. When the Republicans use gays as bait, the Democrats usually just stand around and watch so as not to get cooties, I suppose.

Perhaps in another generation -- yes SKIPPING Obama's -- we'll get some courageous leaders. Or, perhaps not.

[AsaNisMasa]

Draft Al Gore November '08.

[mcthorogood]

Mr. Al Gore, thanks for standing up for what you believe in and contributing to the betterment of all society.

Now the next matter, high crimes and misdemeanors of the current administration. If you would just write an op-ed in the WaPo, like George McGovern supporting impeachment, I would be mighty appreciative.

[ksmithdcrrcom]

A few thoguhts:
It's "marriage equality," not "gay marriage." The issue, as many others have pointed out, is one of fairness and has nothing to do with religious doctrine. The simple fact is my partner and I can't move to another state without losing certain protections granted in California--that is second class citizenship.
Secondly, marriage did not exist as either a civil or religious rite until some time after Charlemagne (10th century) and came about as society became more complex and the need to regulate inheritance was realized. The church only got involved when the institutions of mediaeval society broke down and someone (the church) had to step in. So, religion was very late to the party as far as marriage goes. I recommend Evan Wolfson's book, "Why Marriage Matters" for some history and context to this discussion.

[realitytrumpsbull]

Oh to hell with these people and their marriage laws...if you wanna get hitched, get hitched, but marry to raise kids, otherwise find a blank-buddy and a different hobby...

[texanna]

Why doesn't the US just go the way of the way European countries handle marriage? EVERYONE has a civil ceremony which is the OFFICIAL seal of approval on your union. Then, if you are religious you can have your religious ceremony. That way, we're all covered and we leave the blessings to the churches where they're best handled. Also, I applaud VP Gore for taking this stand publicly. And to those that wonder why he wasn't taking these stands in 2000 -- I think he has already said he regrets allowing the handlers to handle him as they did. We musn't overlook that the media pretty much laughed at him just about everytime he opened his mouth and said anything, preferring instead that guy that they would all want to have a beer with!

[oafishcad]

The Constitution guarantees equal protection under the law to all citizens. Equal means equal. All means all. What's the discussion? The Constitution already is clear.