Won't it be great when we have a President who is as courageous as this guy?

[ruggerson]

Both Hillary and Barack could learn something from this man:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/30/nyregion/30paterson.html?_r=1&scp=8&sq=gay&st=nyt&oref=slogin

When David A. Paterson was growing up and his parents would go out of town, he and his little brother would stay in Harlem with family friends they called Uncle Stanley and Uncle Ronald.

Uncle Stanley and Uncle Ronald, he said, were a gay couple, though in the 1960s few people described them that way. They helped young David with his spelling, and read to him and played cards with him.

“Apparently, my parents never thought we were in any danger,” the governor recalled on Thursday in an interview. “I was raised in a culture that understood the different ways that people conduct their lives. And I feel very proud of it.”

Mr. Paterson, who two months ago was unexpectedly elevated to be governor of New York, has accepted gay men and lesbians since early in life. From his first run for office, in 1985, he reached out to gays and lesbians, and in 1994, long before gay rights groups were broadly pushing for it, he said he supported same-sex marriage.

<snip>

“In many respects, people in our society, we only recognize our own struggles,” Mr. Paterson said. “I’ve wanted to be someone in the African-American community who recognizes the new civil rights struggle that is being undertaken by gay and lesbian and transgendered people.”

[Starbucks Anarchist]

1. Very impressive.

[BlooInBloo]

2. That was a nice story...

http://matthewyglesias.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/05/further_patersonblogging.php

"It's always interesting to hear about the personal places that politicians' stances come from. That this story illustrates a pretty basic principle--that people who get to know gay people usually end up supporting their rights to live in full equality with everyone else--doesn't make it any less compelling."

[madeline_con]

3. Thank you! It is definitely a civil rights issue!

:yourock:

[ruggerson]

9. Of course it is

I'm amazed that some deny it.

[ruby slippers]

4. isn't this the same David Paterson? If so, I think Bill has learned from him because...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/03/17/2008-03-17_gov_paterson_admits_to_sex_with_other_wo.html

[ruggerson]

5. yeah, I think we're all aware of his private life

which has nothing to do with his public service except to people who think like religious rightwingers and salivate at the private difficulties of other people's marriages.

I guess you fit the bill.

[emilyg]

7. Amen.

[ruby slippers]

10. yep, that is why I am an Independent and not a Democrat, so if that

leans me toward the religious rightwingers on this issue, I'm glad to join them. I do believe strongly in morality and the sacred vow of marriage. Sorry!

[ruggerson]

12. If you believe in "morality" why do you think it's "moral" to shoot your mouth off about

other people's marriages?

[billyoc]

6. He's a good man, I'm glad he replaced that sorry ass Spitzer.

[xchrom]

8. recommend --

and the story is particularly poignant and right to the point.

[Forkboy]

11. We're still a long way away from having the guts to elect a truly bold and brave president.

Nice post. :thumbsup:

[NC_Nurse]

13. Good for him! What a nice story to share too.