Sen. Dodd: Same-Sex Marriage OK

Senator Chris Dodd of Connecticut (D) published an editorial in a Connecticut newspaper on Sunday where he announced that he has changed his mind on same-sex marriage. The editorial, which has also been published in full on Dodd’s senate web site, enumerates his reasoning for having opposed same-sex marriage in the past and why he’s changed his mind.

Dodd also cites the Connecticut Supreme Court decision in the editorial. “While I’ve long been for extending every benefit of marriage to same-sex couples, I have in the past drawn a distinction between a marriage-like status (“civil unions”) and full marriage rights. The reason was simple: I was raised to believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. And as many other Americans have realized as they’ve struggled to reconcile the principle of fairness with the lessons they learned early in life, that’s not an easy thing to overcome. But the fact that I was raised a certain way just isn’t a good enough reason to stand in the way of fairness anymore. The Connecticut Supreme Court, of course, has ruled that such a distinction holds no merit under the law. And the Court is right.”

Dodd goes on to credit his young daughters’ outlook with contributing to his change. “My young daughters are growing up in a different reality than I did. Our family knows many same-sex couples – our neighbors in Connecticut, members of my staff, parents of their schoolmates. Some are now married because the Connecticut Supreme Court and our state legislature have made same-sex marriage legal in our state. But to my daughters, these couples are married simply because they love each other and want to build a life together. That’s what we’ve taught them. The things that make those families different from their own pale in comparison to the commitments that bind those couples together. And, really, that’s what marriage should be. It’s about rights and responsibilities and, most of all, love. I believe that, when my daughters grow up, barriers to marriage equality for same-sex couples will seem as archaic, and as unfair, as the laws we once had against inter-racial marriage.”

With this public declaration, Dodd becomes the latest elected official to add his support to same-sex marriage. Dodd is currently involved in a re-election bid and while some may consider the change in stance to be posturing in a politically liberal state, the end result remains the same: another slow step in evolution.

Dodd ends his statement with a message to those individuals who still struggle with accepting same-sex marriages, even the liberal ones. “I understand that even those who oppose discrimination might continue to find it hard to re-think the definition of marriage they grew up with. I know it was for me. But many of the things we must do to make our union more perfect – whether it’s fighting for decades to reform our health care system or struggling with a difficult moral question – are hard. They take time. And they require that, when you come to realize that something is right, you be unafraid to stand up and say it. That’s the only way our history will progress along that long arc towards justice.”

How important are single voices like this when it comes to turning the tides in support of gay marriages?

Comments

[Glenn, Texas]

This is just another example of a weak, spineless politician. He was against gay marriage when the majority of public opinion polls were against it but now more and more people are supporting gay marriage he wants to be seen to be representing the view of the majority so he can increase is chanced of being re-elected.
Politicians only ever support an issue if they are personally going to get some reward for doing so.

[SteveMD2]

Glenn in Texas..............

That, I'm sorry to say, is a self defeating comment. If enough gay people say that, then politicians will decide to ignore the gay community, and go after the votes of the Jesus Taliban.

With all due respect, I think you just haven't been involved in politics enough to understand that this is how politics works in a democracy.

And the only other choice is a tyrannical theocracy. America becomes the next Iran. Run by the Pope Razi.

So, please temper your statements. Ask yourself - is your statement actually an expression of frustration? And ask yourself if you have worked for progressive politicians, contributed to their campaigns, etc.

Personally I am str8, married 41 years. And I have contributed at least mid 5 figures $$ to gay groups over the last 5 years. Money that I'd love to burn up drilling holes in the sky with a private plane as I did when younger. Money that if I handed it over to my female spouse with a "here honey, fix up our nice but somewhat tired 30 year old house, she would think the old cheapskate had lost his mind, and have me sent to have a head scan.

This is all a learning experience for me. Took years. It has to be a learning experience for the gay community I support as well.

Where I live, the gay political group is moving its office from the very liberal area to a very gay, but not politically active city / gay community. Our next task is to find and build a large group of gay activists. I'm not near you, maybe that is a job that you can help where you are. Go for it.

[cbdcs4u]

Ditto your comments, SteveMD2. I could not agree with you more. As a 72 year old gay married man to a str8, 41 year old married man, I want to personally thank you for the support you have have given and continue to give to the LGBT community. I find it very heartening to know that we have friends like you and now, Mr. Dodd. We need all the friends we can get. I wish you and your family a very happy, prosperous and fulfilling life.

[laura]

hey im not gay but im for it i have no reason to judge anyone and i had a girlfriend but found out not for me but im doing a essay on equal rights for gays