The Courage of Mayor Jerry Sanders

"Grab a hanky," writes Joan Walsh today on San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders' painful eleventh-hour decision to fight for gay marriage. "This is the way necessary social change happens. It starts out unthinkable, and then one day it's inevitable."

In a moving speech, choking back tears, Mayor Jerry Sanders explains why he changed his mind moments before he was to veto the San Diego City Council Resolution:

"The concept of a 'separate but equal' institution is not something I can support."

He reveals that his own daughter Lisa as well as members of his staff are gay: "In the end, I could not look any of them in the face and tell them that their relationships -- their very lives -- were any less meaningful than the marriage that I share with my wife, Rana."

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Mayor
• Jerry
• Sanders
• gay
• marriage
• San
• Deigo
• California
• civil
• rights

[isisdagmar]

An admirable decision on the mayor's part. As a (straight) Christian, I look forward to the day when we have marriage equality (and equality in every other area as well). Seeing my gay friends made to feel like second-class citizens because of who they love breaks my heart, and I think it breaks Jesus' heart too.

[ruggerblue]

Changing your mind reminds you that you still have one. Truly inspiring.

[danerman73]

A few years ago I worked very hard to defeat Jerry Sanders and supported Donna Frye for mayor. I thought he'd be a terrible mayor and thought he'd just tow the republican line no matter what. However, since he has been in office, he's been far different from that He is the best mayor San Diego has had for years and I fully support him as mayor.

[555paint]

Give me a break. Wahhhhhhhhhh Boooooo Hooooooo. Grow up Sanders.

[555paint]

is it possible any more for an American politician to saying anythinng in public w/o crying? grow a set Mr. Mayor

[dajonzboy]

Brilliant. So inspiring to hear more and more stories of people coming to their senses. The light will always break through eventually... God is on our side.

[TheDBlife]

a bullshit of an actor that "changes his mind?" give me a break...

[MrHipfrog]

Dead politicians and judges don't steal your money and your lives. It is ILLEGAL to own a home anywhere in the USA that has a property tax -- that's rent - and leads to rape and girl theft for prostitution. ANYONE supporting property tax is supporting rape and girl kidnapping for prostitution - though these supporters are not interested in knowing that. It's the UNITED STATES OF EXTORTION, people!

[Keysteeze]

@susangla Unfortunately many people cannot put themselves in the shoes of others. Their powers of empathy only grow when it personally affects them. Nonetheless I think it is great what he did because many parents shun their children for this.

[susangla]

It wasn't courage. Jerry's daughter coming out as a lesbian is the only reason he did this. If he did not have a gay daughter, Sanders himself said that he would have vetoed the resolution and made some other kid's dad cry.

[Ico101FMBG]

Sanders for CA Governor!!!

[maradashewolf]

Wow...this was very profound and heartfelt... *applauds!*