There are those who feel that I have demonized Candidate Kevin Faulconer. That is simply not true. What I have done is simply represent the majority of our community that believes any Republican who wants our vote needs to repudiate his or her party with respect to LGBT issues, as well as the party leaders that espouse hate with respect to our community.
Frankly, I don’t think that is a lot to ask. What makes it so difficult to say, “I believe in full equality for all LGBT Americans”? The principle of equality is what this nation was built upon, yet Faulconer cannot break with his party to advocate for us.
The LGBT community knows why: money, a potential future political run, as well as Faulconer’s influence in the community with his friends like Doug Manchester. Manchester is no friend of our community but tries to help his chosen candidates through his ownership of the San Diego Union Tribune. Faulconer should know that Manchester’s value is overstated. Just look at the results of the last mayoral election.
Faulconer stood in front of the Pride Flag in Hillcrest and was endorsed by a few in our community. The LGBT community is tired of photo ops from politicians when it is convenient. We want advocacy for our full civil rights. That is what makes Mayor Sanders different from Candidate Faulconer; plain and simple.
Some say why haven’t you held Candidate David Alvarez to the same standard? The Democratic Party does not have a platform that is anti-LGBT. Democratic leaders in Congress do not espouse anti-LGBT rhetoric. In fact, today’s ultimate Democratic leader, President Barack Obama, has moved our civil rights forward more than all previous presidents combined. So Alvarez has no party platform or national leaders to repudiate; sorry, not so for Faulconer.
Last week, Faulconer said he was for “gay marriage.” Yeah, it is the law in California. It’s akin to Faulconer saying I am for a woman’s right to vote.
In the end, it is your decision how to cast your vote but I hope you don’t vote for anyone who won’t say we deserve full equality. Being mayor of San Diego is a big platform and we should expect nothing less. Mayor Sanders set the standard and the LGBT community is not turning back.
STAMPP CORBIN
PUBLISHER
San Diego LGBT Weekly
LGBTweekly.com
I expect to see a front page U-T “editorial” (ha!) endorsing Faulconer and if I do, I’m cancelling my subscription. Enough is enough!