As we enter the season of celebrating Pride in the LGBT community, Americans should embrace the diversity that makes our nation strong and recommit ourselves to ensuring that all Americans receive equal rights.
I am proud to have fought for equal rights for gay Americans, but unfortunately, so much still remains to be done. I am committed to using the power of the White House to advance equal rights for all Americans, including gay Americans. Together, we can help America keep her promise of liberty and justice for all.
The Bush administration repeatedly uses gay rights as a political tool to divide the nation. That's just wrong. We don't need a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. We need civil unions with full and equal rights. We don't need opposition to hate-crime legislation. We need to reject hate and embrace tolerance. And we don't need a president who plays politics with gay adoption. We need a president who works every day to protect and support all children and families.
The LGBT community contributes to our nation in so many ways, in every corner of this country. Hard-working citizens, these Americans are our family members, our co-workers and our neighbors—they are, I am proud to say, my friends. Just like all Americans, they care for one another and they contribute to our communities, to our economy, to our national security and to our future.
And in return, they ask only for equal treatment. Gay Americans deserve the right to make medical decisions for one another in times of crisis, the right to inherit a house purchased together and equal access to health insurance, Social Security and retirement benefits. Together, we can provide this simple justice.
We have come so far over the past decade, but we have further still to go. I voted against DOMA [the Defense of Marriage Act], but too few others joined me. I voted for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and hate-crimes legislation, but again, too few others stood with me. And of course, we have to end the discriminatory policy of 'don't ask, don't tell.' The bottom line is this: We can ensure equal rights for all, but only if we work together.
As we salute Pride across the country, I remember the words of Congressman Barney Frank: 'Why do we talk about gay pride? The answer is that what we are proud of is our individual and collective willingness to beat back a terrible prejudice.' I am proud of what we have accomplished, but I believe we can and must do better. I want to lead an America where the inscription 'Equal Justice Under the Law' has both meaning and value for all Americans, not just some Americans.
But I need your help to make that happen. Join with me and let's work to make an America where all Americans are celebrated with pride and treated with dignity and fairness.
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Senator Kerry LGBT highlights:
— 1985: sponsored and introduced the Civil Rights Protection Act, which prohibited discrimination against any American on the basis of sexual orientation.
— In 1996, one of 14 Senators to vote against DOMA, and the only one up for re-election that same year.
— One of only five Senators to testify against 'don't ask, don't tell,' and the only one who is a decorated combat veteran.
contribute2.johnkerry.com/. Contributions through this site are tracked as GLBT contributions to the John Kerry For President campaign.
