PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

Gay & Lesbian Rights - not With John Kerry
by Casey Dobash Thursday, Oct. 14, 2004 at 2:07 AM

Last night we saw John Kerry for the soulless political demagogue that he truly is. Hiw attack on Mary Cheney was absolutely sickening, and should be cause for serious concern by all gay, lesbian and crossgender Americans.

I was shocked and appalled when John Kerry found it acceptable to try to "out" the lesbian daughter of Dick Cheney. I have not been a big fan of the Bushites, but this act of political desperation by John Kerry has caused me to seriously consider the character of the man that we are asking all Americans to make their political leader.

As a happy and proud lesbian American I support the fight for gender and sexual equality. But John Kerry's (and John Edwards' last week) comments were clearly an attempt to assault a private citizen for his own political purposes. We all may know that Dick Cheney's daughter is openly lesbian. But we also know that the Cheney's have treated their daughter with love and respect. As we all know, these are highly personal family matters. Neither Dick Cheney or Mary Cheney have made this or their personal lives part of the political campaign. Yet John Edwards and John Kerry and our Democratic party have made the sexuality of private citizens a political campaign issue.

I am certain that if Mary Cheney were not open about her sexuality, the Democratic party would have outed her. This is offensive to me and I have to believe many others.

John Kerry should not be so arrogant as to preume to speak for me, Mary Cheney or any other individual private citizen. As much as I may have misgivings about the Bushites, I now have serious concern about John Kerry's ability to lead and act with dignity. Oh where is Ralph Nader?

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