Look for Reed to challenge Norwood for the votes of gay Atlanta
In a conversation before Tuesday’s vote, 77-year-old Andrew Young recounted how he’d been lured into his race for mayor.
The former U.N. ambassador was called before the most powerful group of women in Atlanta — the mothers and grandmothers who led the resident associations for the city’s dismal public housing complexes.
They were a base unto themselves, wielding thousands and thousands of votes — support a politician of the 1980s couldn’t refuse.
Atlanta’s fortresses of poverty have disappeared, and their votes have vanished with them. A new political order is asserting itself — Tuesday’s vote was part of the process.
“In a way, the gay vote has replaced the poor vote in a lot of these areas,” Young said.
The impact of gay voters in Tuesday’s mayoral race was subtle, but measurable.
The candidate who won most of the endorsements from Georgia Equality and other gay institutions, City Council President Lisa Borders, placed only third.
But in the contest to replace Borders, Ceasar Mitchell — also backed by gay groups — came within a few dozen votes of escaping a runoff. Amir Farokhi, a candidate for an at-large council seat, also backed by Georgia Equality, fought his way into a runoff.
The lack of clear wins may not sound impressive. But the very fact that gay voters have unfinished business could magnify their clout next month. In a post-Thanksgiving runoff likely to attract only a trickle of ballots, a highly organized, motivated bloc of voters could easily tip the balance in the mayor’s race.
And the two remaining candidates, Mary Norwood and Kasim Reed, know it.
The gay vote could be particularly important for Reed, despite his opposition to same-sex marriage. (He supports civil unions). Gay voters may represent Reed’s best chance for expanding the white support he needs for a winning coalition.
Tuesday’s vote for mayor evolved into a racially polarizing affair. Citywide, in precincts that were more than 90 percent African-American, Norwood won 22 percent of the vote. In precincts that were 90 percent white, Reed took only 10.8 percent of the vote.
But Reed did twice as well in Atlanta’s 6th Council District, considered to have the highest concentration of gay and lesbian voters. Located on the city’s eastern edge, it is also nearly 90 percent white.
Norwood still beat Reed in the Sixth, with 59 percent of the vote. Campaign manager Roman Levit points to Norwood’s unbridled support for marriage equality. “Mary has a ton of support in the gay and lesbian community,” he said.
Prior to last month’s Gay Pride parade in Atlanta, the Norwood campaign took out an ad in the Southern Voice newspaper, with the names of 180 gay and lesbian supporters — including Norwood’s stepdaughter, Dorsey Norwood and her partner.
But signs abound that Reed intends to challenge Norwood for the gay vote. Two weeks ago, Reed toured gay night spots with Willie Brown of San Francisco, the former California speaker of the state assembly. Reed’s spokesman, Reese McCranie, is gay — and married to his partner.
Stonewall Democrats, a group of gay political activists, has endorsed Reed. The former state lawmaker has also assembled a quartet of gay-friendly state lawmakers as ambassadors, notes Democratic pollster Beth Schapiro.
“Despite what many gay people see as his mistake on the marriage issue, he comes into the race with a very strong record,” said Schapiro, who is not aligned with any candidate in the contest.
Most important for both Reed and Norwood is the fact that Sixth District turnout in a Dec. 1 runoff could be higher than elsewhere. A council seat is at stake, with openly gay candidate Alex Wan facing Liz Coyle in a runoff.
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92 comments Add your comment
Jamesbrennandoyle
November 4th, 2009
7:01 pm
Mary Norwood for Mayor!!!!!! She is the only person I see in my neighborhood. Kasim lets his religious belief cloud equality for all. Everyone should have the opportunity to get married….male/male female/female male/female. Who cares..we need a separation of church and state….I do not want my Mayor to use his religion against my lifestyle….
Neutral
November 4th, 2009
7:19 pm
I dont think Kasim is letting his religious belief cloud equality for all. I think he is saying that civil unions would serve the same purposes as the religious ceremony/rite of marriage. Kasim Reed says he is for civil unions.
jeff
November 4th, 2009
7:28 pm
Blacks don’t hate gays Jumbo. Get a life man. You generalizing.There are gay bashers in every race, and i mean every race. I think people don’t like it when gay men impose on them as though they are assuming the other persons is gay to. If you are gay then thats cool. I love you just the same. But don’t impose on me and be disrespectful, thinking i’m down with you. Thats not cool. And don’t assume you can sway me to be down with you. And call it gay bashing when i get pissed at you.
Campus Observer
November 4th, 2009
7:28 pm
Jumbo G…I wondered the same thing! This is Atlanta; I wouldn’t be surprised. And hey, Shirley Franklin knows how to get the gay vote. And based on recent news and on-campus observation, just go to the club that was raided, and to the Morehouse College campus and find all the “gay” votes you want. Has the male dress code with “no women’s clothes and pumps” on campus kicked in yet? Too funny, as in pathetic.
DannyX
November 4th, 2009
7:33 pm
jeff, that is probably the most homophobic thing I have read on these blogs. The very fact that your main fear is that you will be hit on by a gay man defines the word homophobe.
Atbest
November 4th, 2009
7:34 pm
I mean come on, it’s funny how now the “gay” vote is an entirely separate group that has to be catered to. And that blacks hate gays is a silly remark. Those same “gays” they hate are the same “gays” that create a racial divide. As for everyone having the opportunity to get married, they do. However, there is and will always be basic logic that applies—- Fathers don’t marry their daughters, sons don’t marry their mothers, etc…. you get the idea.
Bernie Matt
November 4th, 2009
7:34 pm
Blacks hate gays, what kind of $&*t is that. Blacks dont have a history of denying any particular group in this country their rights to equality. Some of you people kill me trying to transfer you trangressions and guilt complex to Black people, does this somehow make you feel better about yourself. It must because it’s becoming te norm to try and make Blacks the biggest perpertrators of discrimination and injustice. Just on thing you forget though, their is recorded history that proves otherwise.
Ghettofabulousatl
November 4th, 2009
7:51 pm
Kasim will do his normal (just as his predecessors Shirley Franklin, Bill Campbell, Maynard Jackson, and Andrew Young) and pander to whomever will get a vote for him. He is the same person that the Black Commentator in 2006 in their article called “Portrait of a Negro Politician” (http://www.blackcommentator.com/178/178_cover_negro_corporate_politician_dixon.html ) said the following about; “For corporate America, nobody could make a better spearchucker against the “brown menace” than a black politician” . This all references his famous black VS brown legislation where he feigned to protect african american jobs against the threat of the “illegal immigrant” (read brown” menace. In any other forum we call that prejudice and discrimination. Whether it is discrimination against latin americans, gays, african americans, or any other demographic segment the bottom line is discrimination is WRONG and “Mohammed Kasim Reed” shound not condone it!!!
Bubba
November 4th, 2009
7:56 pm
If they are both falling all over themselves to suck up to the gay vote, I say to hell with both of them. No wonder so many good people in the rest of Georgia think Atlanta is a behavioral sink. And no matter so many legislators elected by Georgians outside the donut don’t give a damn about Atlanta’s challenges with traffic, water supply, etc.
Salt and Pepper
November 4th, 2009
8:03 pm
We are an interracial gay couple of eleven years, and we know Mary’s comfort and acceptance of all people. Kasim seems to believe that if he plays a little lip service to the gay community he can get our support. Telling us that he only supports civil unions and not marriage is like telling blacks they could move up a couple of rows from the back of the bus, but don’t try to sit all the way in the front. Bigotry is not just a product of the Republican right.
SEJ
November 4th, 2009
8:14 pm
Sorry to bust your bubble but it’s the republicans that are on the DL. Check the headlines.
Voice of Reason #1
November 4th, 2009
8:32 pm
Don’t gang up on the first poster [Jumbo G]. Historically, homosexuals were not accepted in the Black community as readily as in others. This is due to the over-spirituality of Blacks and their historical reliance on the church and Bible for what’s right and wrong. Check Barna stats. For the most part, same-sex anything is not generally accepted in the Black community. Not that it wasn’t going on. But it was/still is more frowned upon. It’s just this more recent flagrancy of such activity that we’re seeing more of it. Ironically, now, go to any Black church and you can’t get past the choir–even the pulpit–without it being rather numerous in number. But Jumbo is correct, for the most part.
Reed doesn't support equality
November 4th, 2009
9:08 pm
It’s a shame that Reed doesn’t support gay people on the issue of marriage. He is out of step with his potential constituency and behind the curve on an issue that is gaining support quickly. While he might think that discriminating against gay people will work out well for him in his future statewide races, for now he is running for Mayor of Atlanta… a job that requires fairness and equality. Kasim, welcome to the 21st Century, feel free to support equality!
RNH
November 4th, 2009
9:23 pm
Mary Norwood marched in the Pride parade on Sunday, Kasim Reed did not.
over it
November 4th, 2009
9:31 pm
This whole thing is so shameful and disgusting. Reed clearly race baited by calling Norwood a Republican, clearly that tactic worked. It’s petty, low ball politics to be divisive and the next day kiss up about unifying people. Gay, straight, black, white, brown, blue we have all suffered in every area of this City from crime, mismanagement, cronisym, jacked up water bills…TOGETHER. I KNOW for a fact that Norwood has been hard working and responsive in my Community since I first met her. Being from Atl, I also know that Reed is Franklin’s pick, just like she was Andy’s pick, just like he was Maynard’s pick. There is too much going wrong to keep this going. Clearly we all lack the passion and bravery of the people of Iran. They’re out in the streets demanding change and we can only get half of the registered voters out?
Allen
November 4th, 2009
9:35 pm
The question is which one of them supports 24/7 nightlife — like Backstreet — in this major, spread out convention city and supposed Capitol of the South? Being Gay often means not leaving to go out until after midnight; or after your night time work job; or conference meeting; or “straight date” . . . by which time the bars are getting ready to close. And, what do you do after a big football game at the Dome that doesn’t end until after midnight? Goodbye Hot-lanta, Hello Mayberry.
Rick Bray
November 4th, 2009
9:40 pm
Lets stop with the civil unions thing, they are a sham, a weak version of marriage. They are not portable (you’ve only got them where you got them, so you cant move without losing them); they don’t have the legal strength of a marriage certificate (there are still instances of our loved ones being denied access to us in the hospital, for making our medical decisions without interference); and they don’t offer us the thousand or so benefits that “married” folks get (inheritance, social security, taxes, parenting), so we should not settle for civil unions (such as mayoral candidate Reed supports, he does not deserve our votes unless he supports full marriage equality, that is what my vote for him would cost!)
Gay Kirkwood
November 4th, 2009
9:40 pm
Do we not remember the Kirkwood debacle in the late 90s when we were moving in and renovating the beautiful old houses? They were marching against gays moving in. Black prejudice of gays was alive then and still is….trust me.
urple
November 4th, 2009
9:43 pm
ha this is funny… basically kasim need that area… or he thinks he needs the gays to look this election in….kasim knows he gonna win it. he dont want them gays ha haahhahahh this is over now we gots lisa’s vote. we dontneed the gays that voted for mary the republican
Gay Kirkwood
November 4th, 2009
9:43 pm
Oops I forgot…Mary for Mayor. Kasim is not sincere about the gay vote.
urple
November 4th, 2009
9:43 pm
gays unlike us didnt live through the struggle.. they came from nice homes.. mamas boys
Lewis
November 4th, 2009
9:44 pm
Norwood and Reed would be wise to pay attention to voters in District 6. That District has a large gay population and also a hot City Council run off between Alex Wan (gay) and Liz Coyle (straight). Big issues in the District 6 race will be: What lies ahead for the BeltLine and what are the “promises” of the BeltLine? In their official capacities Wand and Coyle–along with Norwood and Reed–took public positions on many BeltLine issues and activities. What are the candidates’ views on upcoming BeltLine issues and decisions?
P.S. Along with the traditional rhetoric and platitudes about the BeltLine, voters want to know details and specifics.
Salt and Pepper
November 4th, 2009
9:44 pm
allen, being gay also means you have a 9-5 job a house, and family
Allen
November 4th, 2009
9:57 pm
Which candidate is more likely to convince the State of Georgia to lend a helping hand to its capital city?
Larry
November 4th, 2009
9:59 pm
Amazing how one would pander to a perverse group just for a little power. For the human male aroused to the state of an penile erection at the thought of inserting his erect penis into the fecal filled rectum of another man and ejecting sperm into fecal matter is nothing short of utter, unabashed perversity!
Allen
November 4th, 2009
9:59 pm
Salt and Pepper — suppose I am retired . . . and also have many out of town friends who ONCE used to come to Atlanta for its 24/7 nightlife who no longer bother to infuse our local economy because “nightlife” as we know it no longer exists in Atlanta?
Allen
November 4th, 2009
10:12 pm
Salt and Pepper — I do have a house; I had a 9-5 job before retirement (and still went out — you do know there are countless jobs that are not 9 to 5, don’t you?); AND I have a family . . . but what does that have to do with not being a 24/7 city? At one time, Atlanta was in the exclusive company of Las Vegas and New Orleans for having 24/7 nightlife . . . and we thrived because of it more than the ’stay at homers’ realize . . . now without 24/7 nightlife, we have lost many jobs (bartenders, taxi drivers, doormen, entertainers, security) not to mention lost hotel rooms, gas bought by out of towners, taxi fares, sales tax, liquor license taxes, etc.,etc. — revenue our city could use to lessen the tax burden on property owners . . . losing 24/7 nightlife has had an overall negative effect on our local economy.
S&R
November 4th, 2009
10:32 pm
My partner and I (21 yrs and counting) live in Lake Claire and can’t wait to vote MARY again come Dec 1st! Here’s hoping all the Gay “Mary’s” get out and vote Norwood!
Kasim Bashing is kinda lame
November 4th, 2009
10:34 pm
1. He marched in the Parade… why do people say he didn’t. do a google search and see the pics.
2. He has openly gay staffers
3. He has the State’s only open gay elected official (Karla Drenner) backing him an not Norwood
4. He introduced legislation to include gays in hate crimes
5. He has the backing of the Stonewall Democrats
By the way, what you don’t want is a mayor who says one thing and doesn’t mean it. He was honest.
If the State of Georgia has it on a ballot…. it will end up just like Maine, California…etc. It sucks… I know.
Thinking
November 4th, 2009
10:35 pm
You’re right Allen. Instead of just addressing the crime problem in Buckhead, they simply moved up last call. Atlanta could use the money, as well as a makeover. Get back to what was one of things that made Atlanta so great; its nightlife. Just add more cops.
People like to blame Shirley for everything wrong with the city, and she does deserve a good share of the negative press. But Mary Norwood sat on the council the last 8 years while the city went down the tubes. Over it @ 9:31 talks about the high water bills, well Mary voted in favor of those increased rates. She also voted for the increased pensions of city workers. What significant legislation has she sponsored?
Being seen in neighborhoods and parades is well and good, but she hasn’t taken any leadership position in 8 years. Period.
urple
November 4th, 2009
10:36 pm
just vote for kasim he gonna win and if u vote for him he will rep your hood.. fo real he da deal.
urple
November 4th, 2009
10:37 pm
he made a clear statement about mary and how it was even better to vote for lisa or jessie. that says something he was willing to loose for the good. praise him
Kasim Bashing is kinda lame
November 4th, 2009
10:44 pm
Read the endorsement from the Stonewall Democrats… this pretty much sums it up his stance/record on LGBT issues.
Kasim Reed has spent the last 11 years representing Atlanta in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly.
During that time in office, he has a 100% voting record from Georgia Equality and other LGBT-advocacy organizations.
He has delivered concrete results and advanced progressive policies to level the playing field and give more protections to the LGBT community.
As a State Representative, he was the chief House sponsor for Georgia’s Hate Crimes Bill that included protections for LGBT individuals, and fought to keep those protections over the objections of a number of Republican and Democratic legislators.
He secured state funding for an LGBT tourism study for the City of Atlanta, and feels that Atlanta needs to invest in more aggressive marketing to solidify Atlanta’s standing as an LGBT destination in light of strong competition from other cities.
He also believes that Atlanta should have an entertainment district that would allow us to truly be a 24 hour international city.
We are aware that Kasim has stated his support of civil unions with full benefits, however, Kasim has proven his commitment to full legal equality for same sex couples when he led the effort in the State Senate against the Constitutional Amendment to ban gay marriage.
He has also been a key ally working with Rep. Karla Drenner to stop attempts to ban gay adoption in Georgia.
During the last legislative session, he sponsored and passed legislation that now requires Georgia to test prisoners exiting the state’s penal system for HIV/AIDS and to provide counseling. This will help prisoners know their health status and seek the help they need before they are released.
Kasim’s statement on the Eagle raid made clear that he would not tolerate a police department that violates the civil rights of any citizen. He vows to continue to work equally as hard when Mayor to ensure that LGBT citizens are all treated fairly and equally.
What earns Kasim our endorsement in a race where nearly all the candidates voice support for LGBT equality is performance over promises. We value his strong record in the legislature, his status as one who can bring a fresh, outsider’s vision to a city government that has largely broken down, and his proven ability to establish productive relationships with a Republican state legislature and governor.
As Atlanta attempts to recover from the current financial struggles, Kasim’s solid leadership, proven results and knowledge of all levels of government are what Atlanta needs in a Mayor.
Kasim has also received the endorsement of the Atlanta Progressive Firefighters; openly lesbian State Rep. Karla Drenner; State Representatives Kathy Ashe, Roger Bruce, Rashad Taylor, and Rahn Mayo; State Senators Horacena Tate, Nan Orrock, David Adelman, Valencia Seay, and Minority Leader Robert Brown; the Sunday Paper; Ambassador Andrew Young; and the Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council AFL-CIO.
bare bear
November 4th, 2009
10:48 pm
Larry the dodo guy! lol… Just think about your comment! Larry, do you realize, that men (the 60%) that swear they are str8 pump the same old song and dance into their brides more than I would care to think about. Tite is rite. isn’t that what they say Larry. I won’t even try to scratch the surface of other non-standard activities two consenting adults are capable of, but for a hint, you can go online and pull up many many many displays of what women are capable of doing-especially on the farm- and Larry where do you think the straight men are during these episodes? They are filming and totally enjoying it themselves-I’m sure!
papadunc
November 4th, 2009
10:50 pm
Gay/straight whatever, I’ve watch who has, over the last number of years, wanted to know what the neighborhoods had to say. Mary has come to and held meetings with the neighbors on an ongoing basis all over this city. Have not set eyes on Mr. Reed at any of these meetings. After years of working with local neighborhoods all over this city, Mary knows where we need attention and has the ears of many who will help & work with her.
Mary is Mr Rogers
November 4th, 2009
10:54 pm
Do you care that she met with you and listened….
but then did nothing in 8 years to advance your cause?
At least Kasim has a history of helping the LGBT community in legislation….even if he didn’t come to your meeting… he was working for the state passing bills to make sure you have equal rights.
Think people!!!!
Jake
November 5th, 2009
12:17 am
Who is going to keep an eye on that self serving Atlanta Board of Education that is setting up predominately Black High Schools. They change schools so that they do not have the best programs to attract scholars them blame teachers for low test scores. Where do both candidates stand on the issue of the open destruction that was waged against Douglass High School?
Tim
November 5th, 2009
12:19 am
urple, sorry but I don’t speak jive, so I’m not sure what you’re saying.
Jake
November 5th, 2009
12:29 am
Oh and if test scores go up, please don’t go patting those jerks on the back. They got rid of the low scorers in the projects to make it seem like their horrendous programs are working! 2+2 is still 4. Get rid of your projects and your scores look better. No genius needed for that interpretation. Too bad that gay teacher did not get a seat on the ATL Board of Ed. Perhaps he might have brought some integrity to those self serving jerks who used are poor children for every research experiment coming down the pipeline that would give them money.
Jake
November 5th, 2009
12:36 am
Real Simple…will the new mayor be another yes person to the policies of APS? If so, westside vote around Douglass High School is in jeopardy. The witnesses to the systematic destruction of several predominately Black Atlanta High Schools have been shipped out in the name of urban removal…uh renewal.
Tennjox
November 5th, 2009
1:39 am
In response to Larry and his douche bag comments: It sounds like you got hold of someone who needed an enema. Better luck next time closet case on the DL!
DavidAtlanta
November 5th, 2009
2:15 am
On Twitter I asked Kasim Reed if he is gay. He still hasn’t responded. I have reason to believe he is gay (at the very least on the DL). As a gay man it would offend me if he were in the closet and publicly against gay marriage. If he’s straight that’s fine. If he’s gay that’s fine. Just tell us. In this day and age it is our business. If you don’t think it matters to gay people, watch the documentary “Outrage.”
On the other hand, I was starting to support Mary Norwood after my candidate (Lisa Borders) failed to make the runoff. Mary blocked me from following her on Twitter. How can I support someone who won’t even let me communicate with them using my preferred method?!?
I don’t feel like either candidate supports me, but until Kasim can support gay marriage AND let us know who’s team he plays for I’m going to vote for Mary. Afterall, secrets don’t have friends.
Bryant Koonts
November 5th, 2009
6:05 am
The fact that he will now go after the gay vote only after coming in second shows he could really care less about them. GBLT groups who endorsed him prior only do so because they feel he will further their agenda but that is the mstake they akways make in assuming someone who lables themselves a democrat will really ever make meaningful legislation in their favor.
This is a race for mayor in a city that ha sbeen plagued with shady deals and backrom deals coming from that office. You idiots elected the last string of mayors that have had nothing but scandals and now the city is left broke, full of crime, and the jobs are dwindling.
Norwood is honest, sincere, and wants to make positive changes for everyone. She cares about people. Norwood is “Change we can believe in”. Reed wants to be mayor, thats about it. He could care less about gays or anyone else but himself and his buddies. SO go ahead and put another slack mayor in office and let the crime rate skyrocket even more.
Vote Mary Norwood and give Atlanta the chance it deserves.
gttim
November 5th, 2009
7:10 am
The whole sham of using religion against gay marriage needs to go away. Any gay couple has always been able to get a religious marriage in many churches. That is not what they want. The want the civil marriage that bestows on them legal protections as a couple, just like other married people have. The government cannot forbid religious marriages, because of the seperation of church and state- thank Ged! However it is a shame that many backward churches want to fight civil marriages for all people. If any candidate can’t get behind civil marriages for all, I can’t get behind them.
Michael H.
November 5th, 2009
7:10 am
I can not believe that Georgia Equality and other gay groups support Reed. He is just a very slick,handsome person to me.
DAG
November 5th, 2009
7:13 am
MARY NORWOOD WAS AT PRIDE!! SHE MARCHED!! WE TALKED TO HER- SUPER WOMAN…VERY SMART. K REED CAN ONLY PLAY POLOTICS- SOUNDS LIKE A ROBOT ” SHE’S A REPUBLICAN”…THAT’S ALL HE CAN SAY….
WE SAY “WHO CARES’ WE WANT C HANGE …..CHANGE = MARY….GO MARY
HEY THINKING
November 5th, 2009
7:17 am
hey idiot, she sat on the council….yes, thank God and tried to vote down some of the crap that shirley kept passing….mary knows what’s up…don’t be fooled..kasim is trying to further his career. mary actually gives a crap!!! think about it…HE WILL RAISE YOUR TAXES!!!!!
kasim bashing is kinda lame
November 5th, 2009
7:26 am
OKAY, FOLKS , YOU GOT ME!! I WORK ON K REEDS CAMPAIGN…YES, BUT THAT’S OK. HE MIGHT NOT LIKE GAYS, BUT SOME OF YOU ARE SO DUMB THAT YOU WILL VOTE FOR HIM ANYWAY! HE WILL RAISE YOUR TAXES, YES, BUT FOR RECREATION CENTERS ! I WOULD LOVE TO PAY MORE SO THAT YOUNG, BLACK KIDS CAN HAVE FUN!
I KNOW, ALL HE CAN SAY IS THAT “HE’S A DEMOCRAT.” WELL, YOU FOLKS ARE SO DUMB THAT EVERYTIME HE SAYS IT, YOU WANT TO VOTE FOR HIM!
Nativeson71
November 5th, 2009
7:31 am
MARY MARY MARY MARY MARY MARY – Partner with the Gay Bars, With the Gay Churchs, with the Gay Neighborhood Associations & Condo Associations – Tear it UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The gays love you Mary!!!!!!!!!!!
WOO WOO WOO Gooooooooooooooooooooooooo MARY!
Where Was Reed???
November 5th, 2009
7:32 am
Where was Reed during Gay Pride? I saw Norwood… I saw Borders… but I only saw Reed’s representitives… Hmm… Norwood has my vote.