Getting a Real Fierce Advocate for LGBT Rights Into Barack Obama's Old Senate Seat

by Michael Jones · 2009-09-05 07:11:00 UTC
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Alexi GiannouliasThe old Senate seat held by President Barack Obama is up for election in 2010, and at least one of the candidates running is taking a firm and concrete stand for equal rights.  Alexi Giannoulias, who is currently serving as State Treasurer of Illinois, made some bold statements this week for equality.  And if he's lucky enough to win next year, he's making it pretty clear that when it comes to being a fierce advocate for LGBT rights, he's your guy.

For many LGBT folks, getting a strong advocate for equal rights in Obama's old seat is a bit of a political coup.  After all, despite Obama's campaign promises to work for the end of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, hate crimes legislation and an Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), LGBT rights has largely remained on the periphery of Obama's first year in office.  Obama may have promised to be a fierce advocate for LGBT rights, but for many, it seems like he's being a far too patient advocate.

Giannoulias, on the other hand, isn't pulling any punches.

"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."

Uh-oh.  A statement that reasonable is bound to get the folks at the National Organization for Marriage, or the crazy folks at the Illinois Family Institute who compare LGBT people to Nazis, all up in a bunch.

Of course, the real test of Giannoulias's commitment to LGBT issues won't be on the campaign trail, but once he's elected to office.  Fierce advocates for LGBT rights only remain fierce advocates when they keep their campaign pledges for equality once elected.

Michael Jones is a Change.org Editor. He has worked in the field of human rights communications for a decade, most recently for Harvard Law School.
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