State of Massachusetts Archives: on Civil Rights
Ayanna Pressley:
The LGBTQ community should be treated as equals
Ayanna has long supported the rights of the LGBTQ community to be treated fairly in partnership rights, in marriage and in equal treatment under the law. On the Boston City Council, she co-sponsored the Gender-based Discrimination and Hate Crimes bill,
known as the Transgender Civil Rights Bill, co-sponsored a city ordinance that requires city health insurance to cover gender reassignment surgery, and held a hearing to examine the challenges facing LGBTQ youth of color in the city of Boston.
Source: 2018 MA 7th House campaign website AyannaPressley.com
Jul 4, 2018
Gabriel Gomez:
I support Paycheck Fairness Act's equal pay for women
Gomez appeared to be appealing to independent voters tonight by supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act, which calls for equal pay for women;
by calling himself a "green Republican" and saying that "there are people in my party who deny science."
Source: Boston Globe on 2013 MA Senate debates
Jun 11, 2013
Ed Markey:
History of voting for women's rights
Student panelists asked the candidates questions relating to their opinions on social issues such as abortion. Lynch said he would protect the ruling of Roe v. Wade in Congress. "Overturning Roe v. Wade doesn't end abortion," he said. "It would change
the options for women from a clinical setting to one that is much more dangerous for women in crisis."Markey said his history of voting for women's rights as well as his endorsement by Planned Parenthood represents his pro-choice beliefs.
Source: 2013 MA Senate debate in B.U. Daily Free Press
Apr 9, 2013
Gabriel Gomez:
Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act
One area of unusual agreement among a Republican field was on the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman for federal benefits. Massachusetts was the first state to implement gay marriage, in 2004.
All three candidates said DOMA should be repealed. Gomez and Winslow support gay marriage. Sullivan opposes gay marriage, but says the definition of marriage should be left to the states.
Source: Springfield Republican on 2013 MA Senate debates
Mar 28, 2013
Deval Patrick:
Supports equal marriage rights for gays
A man carrying a red Bible to the microphone asked, How could Patrick support gay marriage if God doesn’t? Patrick treaded carefully. He said that the law should regard everyone as equals, regardless of their sexual orientation. Patrick added that people
are far less concerned about gay marriage than about paying their rent and heating bills. ’’I am not going to pander to anybody for anything,“ Patrick said. ‘’I respect differences of opinion, but I have a point of view which I think is right on the
law and right as a matter of fundamental fairness.“
Ultimately, said Melvin B. Miller, publisher and editor of the Bay State Banner, a newspaper serving the black community, many people will decide that it’s foolish not to support Patrick because of
gay marriage. ‘’I mean, we’re not going to support a candidate of those qualifications? That’s not good enough?” said Miller, himself an opponent of same-sex marriage. ‘’That’s ridiculous.“
Source: Scott Helman, Boston Globe on 2006 MA Gov. race, p. A1
Jan 15, 2006
Deval Patrick:
Former civil rights prosecutor under President Clinton
Patrick, a former civil rights prosecutor under President Clinton, makes clear he doesn’t want to be defined by his race, and he believes white voters care just as deeply about everything he talks about. ‘’Yes, I’m a black man. I know that.
Other people know that. I’m proud of that. I’m completely at ease with that,“ he said in the interview. ‘’But that’s not all I am.” He tells the crowd, ‘’I do need to be not just the first black governor, but the best governor you’ve ever had.“
Source: Scott Helman, Boston Globe on 2006 MA Gov. race, p. A1
Jan 15, 2006
Tom Reilly:
Opposed gay marriage but now supports it
Reilly once opposed gay marriage but now supports it, saying he was moved by the many same-sex weddings after they became legal in 2004.
Some in the black community said they see Reilly as more moderate on the issue than Patrick, though, and more sensitive to concerns about it.
Source: Scott Helman, Boston Globe on 2006 MA Gov. race, p. A1
Jan 15, 2006
Kerry Healey:
Ban gay marriage, but not in GOP party platform
Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey endorsed a proposed gay-marriage ban, but said the state Republican Party should not change its platform to call for a ban because Republicans are split on the issue.
Currently, the state party platform does not mention same-sex marriage or voter initiatives. By contrast, the Republican National Committee platform supports President Bush’s call for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
Romney suggested that the GOP put language in the platform endorsing a voter referendum on certain issues [like gay marriage].
The state Democratic Party has voted to endorse gay marriage in its platform.
The national Democratic Party does not go that far, but calls for equal benefits for gay couples and condemns a nationwide constitutional ban on gay marriage
Source: Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe on 2006 MA Gov. race
Nov 19, 2005
Mitt Romney:
Put gay marriage ban into GOP party platform
Lieutenant Governor Kerry Healey endorsed a proposed gay-marriage ban, but said the state Republican Party should not change its platform to call for a ban because Republicans are split on the issue.
Currently, the state party platform does not mention same-sex marriage or voter initiatives. By contrast, the Republican National Committee platform supports President Bush’s call for a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
Romney suggested that the GOP put language in the platform endorsing a voter referendum on certain issues [like gay marriage].
The state Democratic Party has voted to endorse gay marriage in its platform.
The national Democratic Party does not go that far, but calls for equal benefits for gay couples and condemns a nationwide constitutional ban on gay marriage
Source: Stephanie Ebbert, Boston Globe on 2006 MA Gov. race
Nov 19, 2005
Mitt Romney:
Sexual orientation should not preclude being a Scout
I support the right of the Boy Scouts of America to decide what it wants to do on that issue. I feel that all people should be allowed to participate in the Boy Scouts regardless of their sexual orientation.
Source: Peter Gosselin in Boston Globe on 2002 MA Gov. race
Oct 27, 1994
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021