Sen. Kerry Out of Step with Mass. Voters on Marriage Equality

by HRC Staff •

'The Massachusetts Democratic Party is simply affirming the reality that 5,000 same-sex couples and families are stronger and more secure today because of marriage equality,' said HRC President Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign denounced the statements of Sen. John Kerry yesterday, who called the decision of the Massachusetts Democratic Party adding support to its platform for same-sex marriage equality &quota mistake.&quot

&quotThe Massachusetts Democratic Party is simply affirming the reality that 5,000 same-sex couples and families are stronger and more secure today because of marriage equality,&quot said HRC President Joe Solmonese. &quotAs a husband, father and a longtime supporter of the gay community, Senator Kerry should understand the importance of the stability and security that marriage provides to all families.&quot

A recent poll by The Boston Globe showed that statewide, overall support for marriage equality is at 56 percent, with only 37 percent of residents opposing. The same poll showed that 71 percent of Democrats, 53 percent of Independents and 35 percent of Republicans all support equal marriage rights.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who is up for re-election in 2006, has also stated his strong support for same-sex couples' right to marry.

In addition, several other state Democratic parties have adopted resolutions supporting marriage equality including New York, California, Washington, Iowa and Colorado.

&quotThe majority of voters in Massachusetts, and the overwhelming majority of state Democrats, support treating all families equally, and we welcome the support of state parties across the country,&quot said Solmonese. &quotThe fact is that as more and more political leaders and organizations evaluate this issue - in red and blue states - they will come to the same common sense decision: marriage is good for all families.&quot



WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign denounced the statements of Sen. John Kerry yesterday, who called the decision of the Massachusetts Democratic Party adding support to its platform for same-sex marriage equality "a mistake."

"The Massachusetts Democratic Party is simply affirming the reality that 5,000 same-sex couples and families are stronger and more secure today because of marriage equality," said HRC President Joe Solmonese. "As a husband, father and a longtime supporter of the gay community, Senator Kerry should understand the importance of the stability and security that marriage provides to all families."

A recent poll by The Boston Globe showed that statewide, overall support for marriage equality is at 56 percent, with only 37 percent of residents opposing. The same poll showed that 71 percent of Democrats, 53 percent of Independents and 35 percent of Republicans all support equal marriage rights.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who is up for re-election in 2006, has also stated his strong support for same-sex couples' right to marry.

In addition, several other state Democratic parties have adopted resolutions supporting marriage equality including New York, California, Washington, Iowa and Colorado.

"The majority of voters in Massachusetts, and the overwhelming majority of state Democrats, support treating all families equally, and we welcome the support of state parties across the country," said Solmonese. "The fact is that as more and more political leaders and organizations evaluate this issue - in red and blue states - they will come to the same common sense decision: marriage is good for all families."

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