Just days before same-sex marriages were to be performed legally in his home state, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry met with more than 20 gay and lesbian leaders to discuss issues important to the community. His campaign said the meeting was being worked on for weeks and was not timed to deflect criticism of his anti-gay marriage position.
During a conference call with the gay media, four of those who attended the event defended Kerry and said he is the best choice for GLBTs in the November election.
At the one-hour meeting, Kerry 'expressed his appreciation to the LGBT community for its support throughout his public service career and pledged to flight for an America that embraced inclusion and equality,' the campaign said.
Mary Breslauer and Jeffrey Trammell, National LGBT Co-Chairs, John Kerry for President, spoke strongly in favor of a man they believe will be an advocate for the community.
Unlike the people attending a similar meeting George W. Bush held during his election bid, these activists said they had known Kerry for years, and that he already has a solid record on fighting for the tough gay issues, including against the federal Defense of Marriage Act and the military's gay ban.
Meeting participants included: Eldie Acheson, National LGBT Policy Chair, John Kerry for President; Wanda Alston, GLBT Affairs, Office of Washington, D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams; Alvaro Arce, Lead Senate Staff on LGBT Issues; Elizabeth Birch, LGBT Finance Co-Chair, Kerry for President; Jeremy Bishop, Pride at Work, AFL-CIO; Robin Brand, Victory Fund; Keith Boykin, National Black Justice Coalition; Kevin Cathcart, Lambda Legal; Tom Daley, LGBT Finance Co-Chair, Kerry for President; Sharra Greer, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network; David Harvey, AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families; Len Hirsch, Federal GLOBE; Kevin Jennings, GLSEN; Claire Lucas, LGBT Finance Co-Chair, Kerry for President; Dr. Marsha Martin, AIDS Action; Martin Ornelas Qunitero, LLEGO, National Latino/a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Organization; Alexander Robinson, National Black Justice Coalition; Nadine Smith, Equality Florid; Joe Solmonese, Emily's List; Winnie Stachelberg, Human Rights Campaign; David Tseng, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.