THE PLANK JANUARY 24, 2008
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It's admirable to see that Al Gore, however quietly, has come out (so to speak) in favor of equal marriage rights for gays. It's also instructive of people's capacity to change.
In 1981, discussing homosexuality, Gore was quoted as saying that, "I think it is wrong," adding, "I don't pretend to understand it, but it is not just another normal optional life style." As a Tennessee congressman running for Senate in 1984, he (rather long-windedly) told The Tennessean "I don't pretend to have an understanding of homosexuality that sustains a discussion of its roots . . . but I do not believe it is simply an accessible alternative that society should affirm." He also said that he would not take campaign contributions from gay groups and opposed anti-discrimination laws that would protect gays (which, by the way, after 30 years of trying, have yet to pass on the federal level).
Perhaps these statements in the 1980's were the cynical panderings of a southern Democrat relying on white male votes, or maybe they truly did reflect Al Gore's actual beliefs about homosexuality at the time. Either would be plausible. Too often, politicians are accused of "flip-flopping" when their change of heart on a particular matter is just that. Al Gore's latest pronouncement is no doubt a sincere testament, and his moral example is one from which many a politician could learn.
--James Kirchick
9 comments
It's another brilliant strategic idea from Al Gore. See if you can inject Gay Marriage into the debate and make it a major Democratic Party cause. That's a winner in November. A no-brainer.
- ChanRobt
January 24, 2008 at 3:44pm
Assuredly Al Gore has evolved. We all should. There is a lot I do not understand about this as well. Can someone tell me, authoritatively, if homosexuals, male or female, are committed to monogamous relationships with any more length than heterosexuals?
- Bukharin
January 24, 2008 at 3:47pm
Except he is not really a politician anymore, allowing for less scrutiny when he does change his mind; though I agree, we should all learn from him and take stands for what we believe in, even if it is a new belief.
- rishy
January 24, 2008 at 3:49pm
Only in politics is the spiritual and intellectual evolution that is prerequisite to wisdom, and evidence of a mind engaged with the world, a bad attribute.
- ryanmacd
January 24, 2008 at 3:55pm
I had no idea Gore held such views in the early 80's. Did this quote ever come up during the 2000 campaign?
You're quickly morphing into a muck raker James. A hardcore investigative reporter, digging through rubbish in the middle of the night; unceasing, unrelenting, unstoppable. I need to invest in a shredder.
- The Ignorant Populist
January 24, 2008 at 5:01pm
"Too often, politicians are accused of "flip-flopping" when their change of heart on a particular matter is just that. Al Gore's latest pronouncement is no doubt a sincere testament, and his moral example is one from which many a politician could learn."
That's exactly how Romney supporters describe the "evolution" of his pro-life stance.
I'm just saying.
- citizenghost
January 24, 2008 at 5:04pm
Romney's description is that he was always pro-life, but that he invented a pro-choice political position to run for office as a way to separate his personal views from his political choices, a position that once he was elected he felt he had to repudiate. It has a sincere ring when you hear him tell it, but in the end it leaves you thinking of Mitt as dishonorable.
The kind of evolution that Wallace and Gore (and my grandmother, who was always a racist gentile-phobe until her 90's) go through is much more impressive and moving. I used to hate and now I love. I used to be ignorant and now I understand. I myself was a complete homophobe in high school until I went to college and got to know some openly gay students which dispelled a lot of ignorance for me.
- stgla
January 24, 2008 at 5:11pm
I'm with Vidal. Something one does, not who one is.
- teplukhin2you
January 24, 2008 at 5:25pm
just check out Al's statement for yourself, what he thought before is not important inasmuch as he has come to understand the error of his ways and seeks to make amends. He is not a Politician now and is free to say or think as he wants to. And I for one don't give a damn how it plays politically. If it is right, then it is right right now, if you believe it is wrong then it shall still be wrong after the election. I, for one, shall not cave in to the people who believe it is wrong just in order for the Democrats to attain power, nor should those who believe it is wrong be satisfied with people who hide from the issue just to appeal to them. Character is standing up for ones convictions especially when society at large looks down upon them. Al Gore has shown character.
I used to be in favor of civil unions, believing that society was not ready to confer equal status on gay relationships, I realize now that while my idea is far more politically palatable, it is also pretty much full of shit. Marriage as a religious institution is fine for those who view it as such, and if my church doesn't want to perform Gay marriages that is fine too, but Marriage is at its core a civil institution, and as such must not be allowed to function as an agent that deprives two committed, consenting individuals of a fundamental right to choose whom to love and share their lives with.
- blackton
January 24, 2008 at 5:26pm