Democrats Hold Out on Gay Marriage Bill Nelson Turns For Equality

“If we are endowed by our Creator with rights, then why shouldn’t those be attainable by Gays and Lesbians?” the Florida senator wrote in a statement provided to the editorial board of the Tampa Bay Times. “Simply put, if The Lord made homosexuals as well as heterosexuals, why should I discriminate against their civil marriage? I shouldn’t, and I won’t.

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  Nelson was re-elected in 2012, so won’t face another contest until 2018. He’s one of a slew of Democrats who have switched sides on the same-sex marriage issue over recently. The issue took center stage last month as the Supreme Court considered two gay marriage cases.

“So I will add my name to the petition of senators asking the Supreme Court to declare the law that prohibits gay marriage unconstitutional,” Nelson’s statement continued.

“It is generally accepted in American law and U.S. society today ‘… that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.’ I believe that,” he told the Tampa Bay Times. “The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all. Thus, to discriminate against one class and not another is wrong for me.”

Nelson, considered a conservative Democrat, called marriage an institution between men and women as recently as last week.

“I have always stood up for the civil rights of all people and will continue to do so, including civil unions. My personal preference is that marriage is between a man and a woman,” Nelson said, according to a statement sent to POLITICO by a Nelson spokesman in late March.

Just this week, a handful of other senators have also renounced opposition to same-sex marriage, including Senators Tom Carper (D-Del.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Bob Casey (D-Pa.).

“People say, ‘Why now?’ ” Nelson spokesman Dan McLaughlin told the Tampa Bay Times. “Well it’s because the cases that went before the Supreme Court and the public debate that has ensued. During this discourse, Sen. Nelson has heard from a lot of constituents. The way he goes about his job is to always treat people with civility and respect and hear what they have to say.”

The Times also said that according to McLaughlin, Nelson wasn’t “influenced” by the other lawmakers who have changed positions on the issue.  Democratic senators who have not endorsed gay marriage include Joe Donnelly of Indiana; Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Tim Johnson of South Dakota; Mary Landrieu of Louisiana; Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Mark Pryor of Arkansas.By KATIE GLUECK 

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