In Washington, Rahm Emanuel engaged in political homophobia. Not homophobic in the traditional definition, but sure thought acting on gay issues was politically dangerous. They’re the people who like the gay money during campaigns, but not doing the gay legislation once they win. As Chief of Staff, Rahm had a 1993 view of equality. And, don’t think people working in advocacy didn’t know this.
Now, as Mayor, Rahm is a supporter of marriage equality:
BLITZER: Is it a big deal or a little deal, from your perspective, that the president, at least so far, refuses to endorse gay marriage?
EMANUEL: Wolf, whatever perspective I have, I’ll share with him. I’m proud that here in the city and the state, let me give one example of why I love — why I think this job is so important. Illinois passed a civil union. Worked on it as a candidate as well as a mayor-elect, making phone calls to finally pass that. A member of my staff, in fact, in this room, I oversaw the first kind of official thing, one of the first official things of my job, within the first 30 days, actually, a union between — between my senior adviser and his partner.
Click here for gay marriage resources in Illinois.
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