“To err is human, to forgive, divine.” This famous quote came to mind as I thought about the overall tone in America and in our city.
The ability to forgive can be a powerful human emotion, but sometimes it is the hardest thing for a person or community to do. As President Obama awaits confirmation of Sen. Chuck Hagel as the new secretary of defense, our community needs to think about forgiveness.
It is well known that Hagel opposed the nomination of Jim Hormel as the ambassador to Luxembourg. Hagel said Hormel was “aggressively gay.” Our community was outraged. Hormel’s nomination was not brought to a vote in Congress due to Republican opposition. Eventually, Hormel was made ambassador by a recess appointment by President Bill Clinton in 1999.
Is it time for our community to bury the hatchet with Hagel? Has he changed? Was his apology genuine? Similar questions were asked when City Councilmember Lorie Zapf was running for her seat. Zapf had made previous statements in emails from 2006 indicating that “homosexuality is a sin” and LGBT people were not fit for political office. Zapf said her position had changed concerning LGBT people and homosexuality. The voters of her district accepted her apology.
When is enough, enough? How long can our community hold people to account for anti-LGBT statements? 10 years, 20 years, forever? Are national politicians held to a different standard than state and local pols?
People do change as they age; sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad. I guess it comes down to whether you believe the person when they say they have “evolved” on LGBT equality. I know one person who “evolved” and he has become a “fierce advocate” for LGBT equality; President Obama. Thank goodness the LGBT community forgave President Obama as he evolved. Otherwise, we might not have won LGBT marriage equality in four states in the last election.
When a civil rights movement is having success, many politicians change their position. We need to embrace those who come to our side, regardless of their past views. To forgive is divine; it is always smart politics.
STAMPP CORBIN
PUBLISHER
San Diego LGBT Weekly
