Gay marriage debate simmers in Ohio

[JoFerret]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4019301,00.html

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) - Mayor of one of Ohio's most liberal cities, Edward Kelley works closely with gay-rights activists. Yet looking ahead to Election Day in this crucial swing state, he has blunt advice for them on the topic of gay marriage: Tread lightly.

``If I were in the gay and lesbian community and wanted John Kerry elected, I wouldn't be pushing this issue,'' said Kelley, a self-described conservative Democrat. ``All you're going to do is help (President) Bush get re-elected.''

Kelley may prove right; statewide polls show Ohio voters opposing gay marriage by a 3-1 ratio. But gay and lesbian leaders in the Cleveland area are reluctant to back off on an issue that has galvanized their traditionally cautious ranks as never before.

``It's daunting - but what better thing to be working on?'' said Mary Zaller, co-director of the Lesbian Gay Community Center of Greater Cleveland. ``Largely because of this marriage stuff, our community is growing up, coming out of its adolescence and saying, 'We're here' ... We can't be seen as backing down.''
<snip>

``This will be THE issue of the election - categorically the issue that will decide Ohio,'' said David Zanotti, who heads a conservative public-policy group called the Ohio Roundtable.

``But it's not the issue the paid political consultants will tell their candidates to focus on. They are so far removed from the grass roots that they just don't get it.''

<snip>
``It's a defining issue for me,'' Hicks said. ``We have to look at whose moral standards align with our beliefs.''
<snip>

In Ohio, as elsewhere, the marriage debate has a distinct economic subplot.

Opponents of the state ban on same-sex marriages argued in vain that the measure might deter some businesses and talented individuals from moving to Ohio. Some civic leaders in Cleveland Heights hope its liberal stance will enhance development, attracting the so-called ``creative class'' that Carnegie Mellon University researcher Richard Florida says gravitates toward gay-friendly cities.
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[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. I agree with him. We must tread carfully on this issue. We do NOT

want Bushler to win. After the election, we can talk business about promoting Gay rights.

[hippywife]

2. Our lackluster Dems here in OK

already ceded this battle and the result is that it didn't die in the House but will go on the ballot to the voters in November. That means it will draw out the religious rightwing voter in droves for the big show.

I want to see gay rights protected and expanded, too, so that means we all need to get out there and keep making this election about the lies and destruction of the Bush Administration, while making our vote count for civil rights.

[sallyseven]

4. Gay's live together now

and this does not upset the applecart. I know that when they are able to get married in Massachusetts that will help. We people in Mass will realize that it doesn't do anything to anyone's marriage and upset anyones life. Romney knows that so he will move heaven and earth to stop it. (I despise him) He wants to run for president on this issue. He would be worse than bush.

[freetobegay]

3. Heres a great idea

Lets put womans choice on the back burner, lets put education reform on the back burner, lets put tax reform on the back burner, lets put Iraq on the back burner along with the gay marriage issue.
:eyes:

[Moderator]

5. JoFerret

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