Exclusive: Florida Governor Charlie Crist prepared to endorse broad swath of gay rights

[jefferson_dem]

MIAMI -- Charlie Crist, the current governor of Florida and Independent candidate for US Senate, is prepared to issue a ringing endorsement of gay rights in a document slated to be released as early as this week, according to a copy of a position paper provided in advance Sunday to RawStory.com.

Crist, who was elected governor as a Republican, left the GOP after it became clear he could not win his party’s nomination for Senate.

The document provided to RawStory.com includes Crist's vocal support for gay couples, including hospital visitation, inheritance and adoption rights; opposition to the ban on gays serving in the military; support for anti-discrimination laws and appropriations for HIV and AIDS programs.

"It's great to hear a sitting governor take such a strong stand on equality issues," Nadine Smith, Director of Equality Florida, told RawStory.com by telephone Sunday night. "This is the first time in Florida's history that a sitting governor has taken these public positions on a wide range of LGBT equality issues. It marks a shift in the debate in our state."

"For us, having the governor of Florida articulate so clearly stands that are in support of equality on a wide range of issues is a new day," Smith added

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http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/09/leaked-florida-governor-charlie-crist-prepared-endorse-broad-swath-gay-rights/

[dionysus]

1. k&r

[jefferson_dem]

2. Great news ...

It's more than sad, however, that the "equality bus" is leaving the station without President Obama behind the wheel.

[dionysus]

14. it truly is. no other words for it.

[flyarm]

3. remember this..Fla is the Headquarters of CENTCOM! In Tampa!

and we have a huge Naval Base in Pensacola


Great stance Charlie!

[dsc]

4. why should we believe a word this man says?

The only discernable principle Mr. Crist appears to have is that he should be in public office at about any cost. That is hardly something to endorse.

[terrya]

5. He was still defending Amendment 2 a few weeks ago.

Sorry, not interested. Governor Crist championed and campaigned for the vile Amendment 2, one of the most regressive anti-gay marriage amendments in the country in 2008. Also, as Governor, he pushed a ban on gay and lesbian couples being able to adopt.

When he denounces and apologizes for his legacy of enshrining anti-gay bigotry in Florida, then I'll be more interested in his views on GLBT issues.

[dsc]

6. who in God's name would vote for this man

If you like liberal positions you have Meeks, if you like conservative ones you have Rubio, if you like a politician with all the moral fiber of a chocolate eclair you have Crist.

[QC]

7. Is he about to come out of the closet? n/t

[terrya]

8. He's on Beard #3, I believe.

He was outed in "Outrage". I don't think we should our breaths for a Ken Mehlman moment anytime soon. Especially if he wins in November.

[QC]

9. Everybody down here already knows.

It's like Richard Simmons trying to be closeted.

[flyarm]

13. everyone in Fla knew when he was voted in as governor! It is no secret in Fla! eom

[jesus_of_suburbia]

10. My thoughts too.

[AtomicKitten]

11. Last polling I saw showed Crist losing ground, Rubio in the lead, and Meek gaining ground.

Crist is going balls-out now and, quite frankly, I still come down on the side of a pragmatic vote for Crist if the day before the election it appears Meek has not dislodged his ass out of third place. I think it is paramount to defeat every single one of the teabagger candidates across the country.

[Arkana]

12. Yeah, if he gets elected there is NO way the Republicans are gonna want this guy.

I suppose he's no worse than Ben Nelson.

[SwampG8r]

15. just makin sure his buddy rubio gets elected

by stealing dem votes from meek
that IS the plan by the way