Come on, y'all! This HAS to happen!Most of you who keep informed already know this, but in case you were having such an AMAZING summer and completely tuned out the news altogether, our current State Treasurer, Alexi Giannoulias is running for the United States Senate!
For those of you who read my blog and do not live in Illinois, I apologize...But since this is something I am SO passionate about, please indulge me.
This is my official endorsement...Alexi Giannoulias for US Senate in 2010!
Yesterday, Giannoulias announces that he is in favor of making same-sex marriages legal, and he wants to repeal the federal law that defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.
It's about DAMN TIME!
Isn't he doing this the wrong way? Aren't politicians supposed to be vague on these 'hot button' topics while they are campaigning, and then once they are in the role they can REALLY let their opinion out?
Well...not Alexi. I think this is mighty brave of him to say!
In the interview he gave, Giannoulias believes that all states should be required to afford legal recognition to same-sex marriages performed in other states.
AND...get this...
He wants to repeal the US military's policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
Oh yeah...he came right out and said it!
Alexi is the FIRST major candidate to state his favor of gay marriage...
"This is what I believe in, and I'm sure not everyone is going to agree with me," Giannoulias said. "I'd like to think the public is more accepting of gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships. It could be risky, but it's what I believe."
Now, before some of you get your undies in a bunch, he also believes that churches should not be forced to perform the ceremonies of same-sex marriages.
"While marriage as a religious institution should be governed by people's faith and the tenets of their religion, marriage as a civil institution should be governed by principles of fairness. Civil marriage should be equal for all people and provide the same protections under the law with all legal rights and responsibilities," he stated.
Giannoulias' opponent in the race is Republican Mark Kirk. A spokesman for Kirk responded to this with, "Congressman Kirk opposes gay marriage, supports the Defense of Marriage Act, and agrees with President Clinton's policy of 'Don't Ask Don't Tell'. "
Come on, now...aren't those views a little outdated?
At least we have 2 completely different views, and they are both put out there.
Alexi said he believes people are going to look back on this same-sex marriage debate 10-15 years from now and "be amazed we didn't do this sooner."
So, PaulBenjamin...why blog about this?
I'll tell you why! Giannoulias didn't have to freely give his controversial opinion of these equal rights for GLBT individuals, but he did anyway!
I know my main audience!...and because of his views, I will give him my support, and make sure that as many people as possible ALSO hear his views and decide to vote for him!
It's the LEAST I could do...
This is the type of leadership I want in the United States Senate!
PLEASE, vote for Alexi Giannoulias in 2010!
That is brave of him. I highly respect him for this.
ReplyDeleteI was planning on voting for him anyway, but after seeing this I am definitely going to try to make sure he gets elected. Love this!
ReplyDeleteGREAT job, Paul! Equal rights are my passion. I love reading your blog. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteGood post, man!
ReplyDeleteYES! Thank you for posting this. Giannoulias is a wonderful guy, and he truly does believe that all people should be treated equally.
ReplyDeleteHey, I think it's great for putting it out there! People will respect him for thinking about any issue and being able to explain why or why not... that's what we want to see. Good luck to him.
ReplyDeleteHe reminds me of a cross between Shia Labeouf and Fred Savage from the wonder years! Awww.. cute!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Paul! I'll definitely support him!
ReplyDeleteI have been an Alexi supporter for years. He definitely has my vote. Besides... he is so damn HOT!!
ReplyDeleteWho knew you were so politically minded, Paulie? This is an excellent blog. Hopefully, Illinois will catch up with the rest of the states and recognize same sex marriage soon. Then, just let me know when you want to get married!
ReplyDeleteHe's HOT!
ReplyDeleteAwesome, and brave (and yes, he's hot.) I agree about the 10-15 years...thing--last year in class we were reading a bunch of Jim Crow laws, and my students were really upset by the law that said that white and black people couldn't marry each other. They thought it was "stupid" and (yes, they are 8th graders), "gay." After the discussion on how "gay" shouldn't be used to mean "stupid" (and shows ignorance) for the 60,000 time in class, I had to ask...what would you think if the law was "people who are of the same sex can't get married." Of course, many kids said that was okay. But it got some thinking about how, not that long ago, people thought interracial marriage was "against God" and "sick" and whatever, and now not one kid thought that law was okay...
ReplyDelete'k...wrote a book, but I'm hoping that these kids will grow up and fix this problem if the adults haven't done so by then! Oh, and since I'm already writing on and on...have to say the post above is the funniest shit I've ever read, and even TJ was cracking up, and he HATES it when I read him things I find!
:) Amy Hope