All Virginia Democrat Leaders Must Back Marriage Equality

The controversy surrounding Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones' apparent soon to be completed coronation as chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia continues and even as Equality Virginia seems poised to drop opposition to Jones, many are not happy - and may show their displeasure by withholding campaign donations to Democrats.  I urge those who feel that LGBT Virginians have been thrown under the bus yet again to say "No" to asks for money and cite Jones as the reason.  Believe me, that is what folks will be hearing from me. As for Jones' hypocrisy, his stance on same sex marriage has the same lack of credibility as someone who would argue 50 years ago that they supported non-discrimination against blacks, but based on Bible passages supported Virginia's anti-miscegenation law which was struck down in Loving v. Virginia.  You do not get to have it both ways either then or now.  An op-ed in the Washington Blade makes the case why Jones' position is unacceptable:

On Saturday, March 15, 32 members of the Virginia Democratic Central Committee will come together in Richmond to elect the chair of their party. As Virginia governor, Democrat Terry McAuliffe is the titular head of the party. His nomination as the Democratic Party Chairman along with the ratification by the party central committee is normally a foregone conclusion. However, Gov. McAuliffe’s selection of Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones as the new chair of the Virginia State Party has raised concerns among LGBT Democrats throughout the commonwealth.

The major concern is that Mayor Jones, who is also the senior pastor of the First Baptist Church of South Richmond, does not support marriage equality for LGBT Virginians. It would appear that Mayor Jones is out of step with the recent changes in attitudes and what the courts are saying about laws banning same-sex marriage.

The bottom line is that the American people are steadily coming around to this equality issue for the LGBT community. The president supports marriage equality, the national Democratic Party leadership supports marriage equality, and Virginia’s governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general all support marriage equality. So it’s not unreasonable for LGBT Democrats in Virginia to expect their state party chairman to support marriage equality.  Opposing same-sex marriage is on the wrong side of social justice and history in Virginia and in America.

Mayor Jones, referencing his church, was quoted in the Washington Post as saying, “We preach a gospel of love.” I would dare say that LGBT Virginians couldn’t care less about what he is preaching in his church, but would care about how he will be conducting Democratic Party business and using his leadership role to end discrimination for all Virginians.

If Mayor Jones is not for LGBT marriage equality then we must assume that he is against it and therefore should not be the chair of the Virginia Democratic Party. LGBT Virginians have waited long enough for their party leadership to evolve on this issue. I should add that as an African-American gay man, I cringe when I hear black clergy talk about preaching the gospel of love but not always practicing the tenets of Christian love, which is rooted in fairness and justice, and often code for everyone but LGBT folks.

I would ask that Gov. McAuliffe name a party chair who believes in protecting the rights of all Virginians, including LGBT Virginians.

Equality Virginia Holds "Productiv"' Meeting with Richmond Mayor

I've made it clear that Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones (pictured above) should not be Democratic Party of Virginia chair if he cannot separate his personal beliefs as a Baptist pastor from the civil laws issues concerning marriage, particularly same sex marriage.   Elected officials are sworn to uphold the Constitution, not the Bible and, if Jones, cannot do that, then not only should he not be DPVA chair, but he also needs to resign as mayor of Richmond. The issue of ones' lack of support for marriage equality has created an unneeded controversy as Democrats head into an important mid-term election cycle.  In close elections, the LGBT vote can and does determine who wins.  Equality Virginia met with Jones and purports that the meeting was "productive."  Here are highlights from the Richmond Times Dispatch:

Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s pick for chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, met Monday afternoon with Equality Virginia.

A spokeswoman for Equality Virginia said the meeting was “very productive.”

The meeting — five days before the party elects its new leader — comes amid concerns in some quarters about Jones because he has not endorsed same-sex marriage.

In a statement issued after the meeting, Jones said that his position on the issue has changed over the years, and continues to “evolve.”

“I reiterated my position that I believe our laws should not be discriminatory. I also had the opportunity to share about my own personal evolution on issues that concern the LGBT community; an evolution that anchors many of the actions I’ve already taken in support of equal treatment. My position continues to evolve,” Jones said.

"However given the recent media attention for his nomination for party chair, it was important today to hear Mayor Jones reiterate his commitment to leading the Democratic Party in seeking the full equality all Virginians deserve. The freedom to marry is a fundamental right and EV Advocates looks forward to working with both parties to ensure that all Virginians can soon marry the person they love in the place they call home. "

LGBT Democrats of Virginia has urged the party to pick a chairman who supports marriage equality. At least five of the party’s Northern Virginia congressional hopefuls have expressed concern about Jones’ candidacy.

State party leaders have rallied behind Jones, including McAuliffe, Attorney General Mark R. Herring — who refused to defend the state’s ban on same-sex marriage — and Democratic leaders in the state Senate and House of Delegates.

Tammy Hawley, Jones’ spokeswoman, said last week the mayor has “always made it clear that he will stand up for all laws that protect constitutional rights” and that he does not believe that Virginia’s laws should be discriminatory. “What he believes in is equal protection under the law for all persons,” Hawley said.

If Jones truly believes in equal protection under the law for all persons, he should support civil law marriage equality.  If he refuses to do so, then he is merely talking out of both sides of his mouth.  Civil law marriage in no way forces his congregation to let go of their backwardness and bigotry within the congregation.   Jones does NOT get to have it both ways.

Hampton Mayor George Wallace Signs Mayors for Freedom to Marry Resolution.

As readers may recall, former Hampton Mayor Molly Ward signed the Mayors for Freedom to Marry Resolution back in 2010.  At the time, Ward was only one of three Virginia mayors to have signed the resolution - the others were the mayors of Charlottesville and Alexandria were the others.  Subsequently, Ward resigned as mayor and took a position in the Obama White House before being tapped for a position in Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe's administration.  In the interim, the number of Virginia mayors signing onto the resolution has climbed to eleven mayors.  Now, it just moved up to twelve mayors.  Hampton's new mayor, George Wallace (pictured at left), has signed the resolution after my partner and I asked him to do so and provided him with information.  Other recent cities joining the list are Lexington, Norfolk, Capron, Petersburg, Ashland, Blacksburg, and Fairfax. It goes without saying that Victori Cobb and her fellow Christofascists at The Family Foundation are likely not too happy that the tide is shifting against them..  Here is the text of the resolution:

As mayors of great American cities, we proudly stand together in support of the freedom of same-sex couples to marry. We personally know many gay and lesbian people living in our cities who are in committed, loving relationships, who are active participants in the civic life of our communities, and who deserve to be able to marry the person with whom they share their life.    

We are proud that at its 2009 annual meeting, the U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously approved a resolution stating that: “The U.S. Conference of Mayors supports marriage equality for same-sex couples, and the recognition and extension of full equal rights to such unions, including family and medical leave, tax equity, and insurance and retirement benefits, and opposes the enshrinement of discrimination in the federal or state constitutions.”  
 
Our cities derive great strength from their diversity, and gay and lesbian families are a crucial part. Studies have shown what we know through our hands-on experience—that cities that celebrate and cultivate diversity are the places where creativity and ideas thrive. They are the places where today’s entrepreneurs are most likely to choose to build the businesses of tomorrow. Allowing same-sex couples the right to marry enhances our ability to build this kind of environment, which is good for all of us.        

We stand for the freedom to marry because it enhances the economic competitiveness of our communities, improves the lives of families that call our cities home, and is simply the right thing to do.  We look forward to working to build an America where all people can share in the love and commitment of marriage with the person with whom they share their life.

A glaring absence? Richmond mayor Dwight Jones who wants to be chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia. 

Dwight Jones Must Take a Stand on Same-Sex Marriage

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones (pictured at left) personifies the problem of politicians who cannot separate their personal religious views from their roles as politicians in a secular government realm.  Currently a escalating civil war is sweeping the Democratic Party of Virginia thanks to Jones' desire to cling to personal religious beliefs - and not rankle bigots within his church congregation - and flush civil constitutional rights for LGBT Virginians down the toilet.  That Jones is black makes his position all the more ridiculous given that "religious belief" was used for decades if not centuries to justify slavery and then segregation.  Has the man learned nothing?  Jones needs to either support civil law equality or not and stop his disingenuous double speak.  And if he cannot support equality, then he needs to withdraw from consideration as DPVA chair.  It is that simple.  A column in the Richmond Times Dispatch makes a similar argument.  Here are excerpts:

The selection of Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, a Baptist minister, as chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia would not be a match made in heaven.

Jones, according to sources, has agreed to accept the unpaid post at the request of Gov. Terry McAuliffe, with an announcement expected this week.

If true, the governor and the mayor may want to rethink this and listen to supporters of marriage equality who feel heartburn at Jones’ waffly posture on same-sex marriage.

Virginia has been riding a progressive wave on the issue of marriage equality since McAuliffe’s Democratic ticket mate, Attorney General Mark R. Herring, announced soon after taking office in January that he would not defend Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage.

In February, a federal judge in Norfolk ruled that the ban is unconstitutional. It appears that the U.S. Supreme Court will have the final say.

Seventeen states now allow legal same-sex unions. Public opinion has shifted dramatically since 2006, when Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage and forbids recognition of such unions performed elsewhere. Polls suggest the ban would be repealed today.

But Jones, mindful of the possible reaction of his flock at First Baptist Church of South Richmond, remains unmoved. He has resisted any bold declarations in support of same-sex marriage.

As for Jones' double speak, the column notes:

The mayor “opposes any kind of discrimination,” said spokeswoman Tammy D. Hawley. “As you may know, he issued the city’s first executive order barring discrimination in city government. He has also honored Richmond’s Transgender Day of Remembrance with a proclamation speaking out against violence and promoting tolerance, understanding, compassion and acceptance of the diversity of any individual or group of individuals.

“The mayor has always made it clear that he will stand up for all laws that protect constitutional rights and that he does not believe that our laws should be discriminatory,” Hawley said. “What he believes in is equal protection under the law for all persons.”

Well, yes, that sounds good. But same-sex couples in Virginia have no rights under our state constitution. They are victims of discrimination who receive unequal protection under the law.  The mayor is equivocating.

He is ensnared in the inherent conflict that faces a faith leader when he moonlights in the secular world of politics.

Jones, meanwhile, appears content to sit out the civil rights movement of the 21st century.  Politics isn’t about single issues, but marriage equality is one of the most important questions facing the nation today. And the platform of the Democratic Party of Virginia could not be clearer:

If his conscience or his congregation won’t allow him to support marriage equality without equivocation, Jones and Virginia Democrats have an irreconcilable difference.

Jones claims that he is against any form of discrimination, but given the 1000 state and federal rights that hindge on "marriage," by opposing same sex marriage, Jones is actively supporting discrimination.  Either the man is a cretin or he thinks the rest of us are.  He needs to stand for full equality or get out of the running for DPVA chair. Again, the issue is that simple.

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones - Unfit to Be DPVA Chair

Yesterday I noted that the LGBT Democrats of Virginia have said a resounding "No" to Richmond mayor Dwight Jones becoming Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia.  Now, Jones is talking out of both sides of his mouth as he says he believes in equality for all under the law but still believes that LGBT Virginians should remain second class citizens when it comes to recognition of our life relationships.  That type of double speak is more what one would expect from the foul Christofascists at The Family Foundation rather than the possible chair of the Democrat Party in this state.  The whole situation also raises the question of why Terry McAuliffe (or his staff) did not better research Jones' position on LGBT issues.  Sadly, Jones is seemingly one of the many black pastors in Virginia who carries water for the Christofascists on the issue of same sex marriage.   NBC-12 TV looks at Jones' efforts to use mealy mouthed dissembling to defuse the issue.  Here are highlights:

Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones attempted to clarify his stance on same-sex marriage this weekend after news leaked that he was poised to become the next Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Jones's camp confirmed on Friday that Governor Terry McAuliffe had asked the Mayor to take over the post as the Party's spokesman after current Chair Charnelie Herring (who is running for Congress) steps down later this month. Jones has the support of all of the statewide elected leaders, but still needs to earn the approval of the party's membership.

However Jones's appointment, which seem to seep out earlier than the party was prepared for, is being met with a degree of backlash from a vocal and increasingly important wing of the Democratic Party. Jones continues to maintain a personal opposition to same-sex marriage, a position that has drawn the ire of supporters of the LGBT community.

Del. Patrick Hope, a Northern Virginia liberal and one of many democrats seeking the party's nomination in the race to replace Rep. Jim Moran, forcefully denounced Jones's candidacy and said he could not support him if he did not switch his position.

“The chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia needs to reflect our values as a party,” Hope said in a statement. “This has been a historic year for marriage equality, and we cannot have a chair of the party that does not support this civil right.”

The issue is a delicate one for Jones. He continues to serve as pastor at his South Richmond church, regularly preaching on Sundays. While Jones toes the line on most progressive issues, same sex marriage is one where he remains on the side of his church. However in a statement provided to NBC12, Jones's political director stressed that he remains committed to equality across the board.

"Mayor Jones believes that all Virginians, no matter race, gender, or sexual orientation, deserve complete and equal protection under the law," wrote Don Mark.

Today all five of Virginia's state wide leaders support same sex marriage. The state's constitutional ban on the practice was recently ruled to be in violation of the federal constitution. (It currently remains in place pending appeal.

State democrats have roundly supported the efforts to throw the amendment out. Jones has yet to take a public position.

There is still time for this issue to be hashed out, but not much. The party will gather in less than two weeks and a new chairperson will need to be named.

With important elections in November - not to mention local elections - the DPVA would be insane to alienate the LGBT vote, yet that seems to be what is happening.  If Jones wants to be DPVA chair, he needs to put the U.S. Constitution first and bigotry based on ignorance embracing belief in the Bible second.  If he cannot do that, then he needs to withdraw from seeking the chairmanship.  It's that simple.

LGBT Democrats Call on Central Committee to Oppose Dwight Jones for DPVA Chair

With LGBT Virginians frequently providing the margin of victory in races ranging from the 2012 presidential race to city council elections, one has to wonder WTF those who nominated Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones for Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia.  With everything that's happening on the same sex marriage front and in light of three statewide election winners in November 2013 who campaigned in support marriage equality why would a man who opposes marriage equality even be nominated?  Here are highlights from a message from LGBT Democrats of Virginia to the "powers that be" via Blue Virginia:

You are receiving this as a member of the Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Virginia.

Maggie Sacra, Chair of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia, today spoke about the submission of Dwight Jones, Richmond City Mayor, to be Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, saying, “In response to the many phone calls and emails members of our board have received regarding Mayor Jones’ opposition to marriage equality, and frankly, in response to our own concerns and alarm, the LGBT Democrats of Virginia held an emergency meeting today of our board. After a unanimous vote, we are releasing the statement below to our State Central Committee, our statewide elected officials, and our legislators.”

The statement reads: “Given repeated opportunities over the past few years, Mayor Dwight Jones has consistently refused to endorse marriage equality. LGBT Democrats of Virginia is extremely disappointed with the consideration of Mayor Jones for Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia. We oppose his nomination and call on Virginia Democrats to seek pro-equality nominees at all levels of the Party and public office."

“This is a historic time for marriage equality in Virginia. All three Democratic nominees for state office won election in 2013 unequivocally supporting marriage equality. Attorney General Mark Herring bravely refused to defend Virginia’s discriminatory Marshall-Newman Amendment and anti-equality statutes, and Judge Wright ruled on the side of equality, writing in her ruling that, 'Tradition is revered in the Commonwealth, and often rightly so. However, tradition alone cannot justify denying same-sex couples the right to marry any more than it could justify Virginia's ban on interracial marriage', referring to Loving v. Virginia."

“We have a President, a Vice President, and a U.S. Attorney General who now stand on the right side of history, on the side of equality. The Democratic Party of Virginia must not consider retreating on this issue. Instead, the Party should heed the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, who declared, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere'. These are beliefs the Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia must embody."

“Unless Mayor Jones makes a strong public statement in support of legal marriage equality, we cannot consider supporting him. We call on all State Central Committee members to join with us in opposing Mayor Jones in this election for Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, and in finding a candidate for Party chair who supports equality and justice for all Virginians.”

 Again, WTF were the people who put Jones' nomination forward think?  Do they really want LGBT Virginians to turn off the LGBT ATM?