Sen. Edward Kennedy Leaves a Lasting Legacy of Fighting for LGBT Rights

Sen. Edward Kennedy, the lion of the U.S. Senate and the man who President Barack Obama called 'the greatest Senator of our time,' has died after more than a year's struggle with brain cancer.  While Sen. Kennedy leaves behind a legacy on a number of issues, from education to health care, his contributions to making the world better for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender folks cannot go unnoticed.  His legacy of fighting for LGBT rights made him one of the best straight allies ever to serve in the halls of Congress.

Sen. Kennedy was one of only fourteen votes in 1996 to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), proving that Kennedy was not only willing to put himself out there on a limb for LGBT rights, but be the type of politician who was ahead of his time.  Efforts to repeal DOMA have never been stronger.  They started with that 'No' vote that Kennedy and thirteen other Senators cast.

Subsequently, Kennedy fought to block a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, championed by a number of conservative Senators.  As early as June 2002 Sen. Kennedy supported adding sexual orientation and gender identity to federal hate crimes laws.

And in the wake of Massachusetts becoming the first state in the country to legalizing same-sex marriage, Sen. Kennedy didn't back away from commenting on the historical impact for civil rights that this decision had.

"The nation’s eyes were on Massachusetts today, and they saw a triumph for civil rights and fundamental fairness. Today’s historic vote will have a national impact on civil rights for years to come. Massachusetts has led the nation in education, in health care and in biotechnology, and today Massachusetts renewed its commitment as a proud leader in civil rights."

And those words certainly rang true, as Massachusetts has been cited as a leader as neighboring states (and Iowa) have moved toward marriage equality.

Sen. Kennedy earlier this year also became one of the leading co-sponsors of a Senate 'Employment Non-Discrimination Act' (ENDA).  Joining Sens. Jeff Merkley, Susan Collins, and Olympia Snowe, Kennedy said: "Ensuring equality for all Americans is the least we can do in living up to the standards of inclusion that this nation is built upon. There is no place for discriminating against any of our citizens for whatever reason and I commend my colleagues for their willingness to champion equal rights for every American."

Today the world will remember the legacy of Sen. Edward Kennedy.  Part of that meme must include his tireless work to fight for equal rights for LGBT Americans.

UPDATE: Chris Geidner over at Law Dork adds that in addition to Kennedy's opposition to DOMA and his support for same-sex marriage, the good Senator was championing a federal gay rights bill as early as 1993.

And for more great coverage of Ted Kennedy's legacy here at change.org, check out our Women's Rights, Immigration, and End Homelessness bloggers.  They've all got memorial pieces running that show just how much of a champion this Senator was for the causes that so many of us believe in.

UPDATE TWO: What better way to commemorate the legacy of Sen. Edward Kennedy than by taking action for one of his most cherished causes - universal health care.  This petition right here will go to your U.S. Senator, urging them to make sure that quality health care is a fundamental right in this country, and not a privilege. Please sign.