How Desperate is Gay Pac in FL? Suppoting gay anti gay, now outed gay Charlie Crist
"The early endorsement reflects the urgency of electing a governor who will speed progress when it comes to equality, not stand in the way of fairness," PAC chairman Stratton Pollitzer said in a news release.
Seven months before Crist was a declared candidate in this year's gubernatorial campaign, he announced his support for gay marriage. "I most certainly support marriage equality in Florida and look forward to the day it happens here," Crist quietly posted on Facebook in May 2013.
That was a change from Crist's position in 2010 when the then-Republican governor ran for U.S. Senate against conservative Marco Rubio, the eventual winner.
Calling marriage "a sacred institution," Crist told CNN four years ago, "I believe that it is between a man and a woman."
"Charlie Crist's position on marriage equality reflects the evolution of Florida voters," Pollitzer said. "The clear majority now supports full legal recognition of marriage equality, regardless of political party, age or religious identification."
Equality Florida says Crist has otherwise been a longtime LGBT-rights advocate. While governor, he dropped his support for Florida's gay adoption ban and worked with the state Department of Children and Families to stop enforcement. During his Senate campaign, Crist supported repeal of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and passage of a law that would prevent LGBT-related workplace discrimination.
Crist served as a Republican governor from 2007 to 2011. During his Senate run, he left the GOP. Eventually, he endorsed President Barack Obama for re-election in 2012 and became a Democrat.
In November, Crist officially declared his candidacy for governor, challenging former state Sen. Nan Rich of Broward who also is seeking the Democratic nomination. The primary will be Aug. 26. Whoever wins will face incumbent Republican Gov. Rick Scott on Nov. 4.
After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a year ago that the federal government must recognize legal same-sex marriages, Scott said he would continue to support Florida's 2008 constitutional ban.
"Look, it's the law of the land. Voters in 2008 decided we're going to be a traditional marriage state," Scott told the Tampa Bay Times. "Look, I've been married since I was 19. I believe in traditional marriage."
Rich, a former Senate minority leader who term-limited in 2012, has been a longtime supporter of gay marriage, HIV/AIDS funding and other LGBT-rights issues.
Comments