U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell, on the floor of the U.S. Senate, called for equality for all Americans.
Seriously! It's true!
As a gay man, I'm excited to hear Mr. McConnell come out for equality for all Americans and I can't wait to share in the bounty of equality. As a gay man, I've paid higher taxes and not shared in basic inheritance rights, immigration rights, hospital visitation rights, and many other rights and obligations that are restricted from LGBT couples.
Could this represent a major shift of the GOP from their self-righteous, hypocritical family values platform that excludes the LGBTQ community?
Is Mitch my new "fierce advocate"?
Press release below the break:
From Mitch McConnell's website:
(Emphasis added by me, not by my fierce advocate Mr. McConnell)
July 9, 2009
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell made the following remarks on the Senate floor Thursday regarding Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor:
"Over the past several weeks, my colleagues and I have raised a number of serious questions about the judicial record and public statements of Judge Sonia Sotomayor in connection with her nomination and upcoming confirmation hearings to the U.S. Supreme Court. These questions are driven by a growing sense, based strictly on the record, that Judge Sotomayor has allowed her personal and political views to cloud her judgment in the courtroom, leading her to favor some groups over others.
"All of us are impressed by Judge Sotomayor’s remarkable life story. It reaffirms not only to Americans but to people around the world that ours is a country in which one’s willingness to dream and to work hard remain the only requirements for success.
"And yet it’s precisely this truth about America that makes it so important that our judges apply the law the same way to one individual or group as to every other.
Really? Gosh Mitch, I didn't know you cared.
I'm so excited that the GOP leadership has finally come to their senses and are fighting for equality for all Americans. All groups. All individuals.
Does this mean that he will co-sponsor the repeal of DADT?
Will Mr. McConnell be my fierce advocate when it comes to marriage equality and lead the effort to repeal DOMA?
Will he be fighting for my rights to benefit equally from the financial benefits that are afforded married couples?
Will I be allowed to equally utilize immigration laws to my family's benefit?
Will I be able to stop paying taxes on my partner's health benefits?
Will I be able to equally utilize the inheritance laws, real estate capital gains exclusions, have adoption rights?
Will Mitch be on the cover of The Advocate?
Mark your calendars!
July 9, 2009 could have been the day that the GOP moved into the 21st century and toward equality for all Americans.
or maybe not... maybe this is just another GOP leader saying one thing and supporting another.
Who knows.... but a girls gotta dream... right?