The first time scores of people threatened to kill me on the internet was over this speech (full text) that I gave about marriage equality. You can also view the speech here. That was back in April of 2009.
President Biden protected the dignity, happiness and marriages of millions of Americans from state intrusion when he signed the Respect for Marriage Act. The pursuit of happiness and marriage are deeply connected. It should never be denied or obstructed by politicians and pastors who claim God’s authority in a country where church and state are separate.
I will always be immensely proud of this speech. It was the first public appearance I made after John McCain’s defeat. I made a promise to myself before I gave it that I have kept. I promised to never pull a punch and to state exactly what I believed, no matter the consequences. I have kept that promise. Since the day that I gave this speech, there has never been a moment where I broke it.
Politics should be about conviction.
The extremist threat facing America is not over, but Donald Trump is. Soon the walls will close in around him. He will face justice. His era of menace is over. He leaves behind a poisoned country that will heal in time. He leaves behind the wreckage of broken media, political and business institutions with an incandescent glow of hypocrisy and decay. He leaves behind a vast Trump Industrial Complex that has made billions embracing thuggery, performatively covering it and performatively denouncing it.
Good Americans should seek to expand rights and liberty for their fellow citizens. That is what I have always tried to do with my voice. This speech was delivered a long time ago now. I will always be proud to have lifted my voice for freedom.
It’s always refreshing to read a piece by someone who can distinguish between personal religious views and what’s good for a pluralistic society like ours. In my opinion, I don’t feel my heterosexual marriage is threatened in any way by allowing same sex couples to civilly marry and am always puzzled by those who claim it does. You are right to point out that the case can be made that civil divorce can be destructive of society and yet it is allowed. Thanks so much for your honesty and integrity.
Thank you, Steve, "Our national creed is a declaration of natural rights not a compact for the preservation of social customs..."
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for ALL.