March 29, 2004
City Council Candidate Changes Position On Same-Sex Marriage
Cites Pain Of Discrimination From Life In The South
Early this month, as the residents of Multnomah County adjusted to the arrival of same-sex marriage licenses, we published the reactions of Mayoral and City Council candidates to the development.
One of those candidates -- Jerry Watson, who is running for the Commissioner No. 1 position being vacated by Commissioner Jim Francesconi -- weighed in with the strongest statement against same-sex marriage of all the responses we received.
"We don't have to travel cross-country to fight to save heterosexual marriages," Watson said at the time (pdf). "The national battle has come to our own backyard right here in Portland, Oregon." He went on to write:
As we now know from the historical experience of some Portland churches, placing homosexuals in positions of community leadership has led to millions of dollars in legal settlements. Also, the lives of many young people have been ruined.
Late this afternoon, we received -- out of the blue -- a follow-up from Watson, which is reproduced here in full:
After much reading and consideration, I have changed my position.
It is not the duty of elected officials to impose their religion on others. That's why we have a separation of church and state.
Elected officials are sworn to uphold the laws made by man. If they can't come to terms with that, they should resign and become leaders in their religion instead.
Far be it from me to pass judgment on others. Only God can do that.
As the constitutional law of Oregon now stands, same sex marriages are legal.
As an African American that grew up in the South, I know the pain caused by discrimination, exclusion and lack of acceptance. I certainly don't want to put that on anyone else.
So score one for the good guys. Sometimes, the force and clarity of argument actually can have an effect upon how people view contentious issues which so often spark almost instinctual negative reactions.
Comments (7)
K on 30 Mar 2004
Wowzers! This change of view is what it's all about. This is why we jeapordize our privacy and live openly... so that those who choose to discrimnate agaist us can come to realize that we are not different. And our families have the same hopes and dreams - and need the same protections under the law. I hope his change if heart is true.
K on 30 Mar 2004
Wowzers! This change of view is what it's all about. This is why we jeapordize our privacy and live openly... so that those who choose to discrimnate agaist us can come to realize that we are not different. And our families have the same hopes and dreams - and need the same protections under the law. I hope his change if heart is true.
K on 30 Mar 2004
Wowzers! This change of view is what it's all about. This is why we jeapordize our privacy and live openly... so that those who choose to discrimnate agaist us can come to realize that we are not different. And our families have the same hopes and dreams - and need the same protections under the law. I hope his change of heart is true.
K on 30 Mar 2004
Wowzers! This change of view is what it's all about. This is why we jeapordize our privacy and live openly... so that those who choose to discrimnate agaist us can come to realize that we are not different. And our families have the same hopes and dreams - and need the same protections under the law. I hope his change of heart is true.
K on 30 Mar 2004
Wowzers! This change of view is what it's all about. This is why we jeapordize our privacy and live openly... so that those who choose to discrimnate agaist us can come to realize that we are not different. And our families have the same hopes and dreams - and need the same protections under the law. Let's hope his change of heart is true.
monkeysi on 31 Mar 2004
I find the quick change of position suspect especially considering how strong his original comments were (or implied). Me thinks it's more of a political ploy to appeal to more liberal voters. I only hope he is sincere.
allehseya on 05 Mar 2005
The skeptic in me agrees with monkeysi in post #6, however, the optimist in me is trying to make mantras and sutras of b!X' quote:
Sometimes, the force and clarity of argument actually can have an effect upon how people view contentious issues which so often spark almost instinctual negative reactions.