Legislators back gay rights -- and survive

[davidinalameda]

http://www.detnews.com/2005/editorial/0501/24/A09-67685.htm

When Carl Sciortino's phone calls and letters went unanswered, he decided to visit his state representative to find out where the lawmaker stood on same-sex marriage.

That day in late 2003 turned out to be quite fateful for both the young gay constituent and for longtime Massachusetts state Rep. Vincent Ciampa. During an hour-long conversation, Sciortino (pronounced Shore-TEE-no) finally got his answer: Ciampa favored amending the state constitution to outlaw gay marriage.

"He wasn't trying to be insulting," Sciortino recalls. "But he didn't understand (that gay families are real families with real needs)." Sciortino decided it was time for the district just north of Boston to have a representative who does understand. And today, he's the lawmaker and Ciampa is his constituent.

[sniffa]

1. f'n awesome!

i knew some of the ban backers got the boot, but i didn't know it was a non-poLitico who booted this one. :D :D :D :D :D

[Ian David]

2. We even had A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE beat an anti-gay incumbent

Massachusetts rocks!

[Brian_Expat]

3. Scorched earth, my friends

The primary challenge worked in Massachusetts and will work in other "Democrat strongholds" with homophobic legislators.

In swing states, we can cost the Dem party its seats until they get their act together. It's not like it's going to cost them a majority. And as you can see, it works!