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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91 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.
vin
November 5th, 2009
7:38 am
love it…mary mary mary mary!!! tear it up!!!
Bronco
November 5th, 2009
7:45 am
So who is going after the transexual, lower middle class, Republican Eskimo vote. These people should scream racial bias??
curt
November 5th, 2009
8:06 am
Reed was to busy to show up at Gay Pride as the other candidates did. It will be a cold day in you know where before he gets my vote now
The Late Maynord Jackson
November 5th, 2009
8:07 am
Reed is THE MAN.. 4 more years, 4 more years..corruption for all
Matt
November 5th, 2009
8:43 am
Mary Norwood all the way!! Reed is a continuation of the B.S. we have had to put up with under Franklin. More shady contracts to their friends and business deals that benefit only the rich blacks – no regard to the benefit of the Entire City. APD is a mess – don’t forget the warrentless raids that end in police lying and taxpayers paying out for lawsuits. End this now… We need change that is real – MARY NORWOOD!
Midtown Residing
November 5th, 2009
8:56 am
Hey Jeff, how can just being gay be disrespectful? Or, make you have to be “down with it.” Sounds like you need to be more respectful to people that aren’t exactly like you. In case you didn’t know, new cases of HIV is highest among blacks. Some sectors are 19 times more likely to get HIV than other races. What’s the reason, lack of acceptance and understanding. When people (gay blacks) don’t feel their life is worth anything, they take risks. So, maybe you should worry more about your community and accepting a part of your community that has been a part of society since human existence. Just because you accept someone doesn’t mean that you are “being down within.” I’m sure everyone is not “down” with your behavior all the time, or what you represent. I’m not down with you.
Epic Fail
November 5th, 2009
9:21 am
You gotta believe that at some point my paper will stop saying that Tad Christian is in the 6th District runoff. Maybe tomorrow. I can hope.
Seriously?
November 5th, 2009
9:21 am
The Atlanta gay community remembers that Shirley Franklin sought the gay vote and made all kinds of empty promises she never intended to keep to get those votes. Shirley Franklin endorses Reed. Need I say more?
Downtown Atlanta Voter
November 5th, 2009
9:23 am
Hey Michael H- You are misinformed. Georgia Equality DID NOT endorse Reed. It was another, lesser known group that chose to back his campaign. GE endorsed Borders. It will be very interesting to see what GE does now that it’s a run off and Borders isn’t in it. I hope that they don’t support someone who discriminates against LGBT citizens on the marriage issue. Mary supports full equal rights so GE should endorse her!
AH
November 5th, 2009
9:49 am
Wow this was an insulting post/article. All ‘GAYS’ don’t vote along a single voting line. If we all voted by labels then we don’t even need to have elections. Reed gets all the strait black, Mary gets all strait whites, Reed gets gay men, Mary gay woman, Who gets the Asians, homeless, bisexuals, native Americans, foreign born Europeans, Muslims, Jews, and christens? We just need a good demographics survey and then a statistician and we can all go about our day on Dec 1. Because everyone votes by labels.
Thinking
November 5th, 2009
9:50 am
HEY THINKING @ 7:17- Mary has ALREADY voted to increase water rates and city employee pensions. While they’re not taxes, those high water bills sure feel like one. Is that giving a crap? In your world I guess it is.
Howard Stalling
November 5th, 2009
9:54 am
If being “Gay” is a chosen life-style, why am I forced to deal with their personal “BS”? We have human and civil rights. Those rights protect male and female. De we really live in a world that judges us, by who we sleep with? The candidate that panders to the so called Gay community is FAKE & DANGEROUS. I don’t hate nor dislike gays and thats because I treat all people the same. I don’t have gay friends and straight friends, i only embrace true friends and pray for my foes. I hope the gay community can respect my opinion and not be offended.
King
Renaissance Man
November 5th, 2009
9:59 am
Kasim Reed was NOT in the Pride Parade on Sunday! His representatives were but he wasn’t. Both Mary Norwood and Lisa Borders were. I saw each group go by so I know.
Also, “separate but equal” didn’t work for schools and it doesn’t work for marriage/civil unions.
lulu
November 5th, 2009
10:02 am
I’m glad that people have seen Mary Norwood as active in their communities. I’m a little curious, though, as to where these communities are. I have never seen her, or people campaigning for her, or so much as a single yard sign supporting her in my South Atlanta neighborhood. Mary Norwood will continue to pander to the areas of the city that have the money to kick back to her and ignore the rest of us – whether we’re gay, straight, black, white, whatever.
Blake
November 5th, 2009
10:13 am
Of course he is! Is he also courting MsM’s? What is a MsM? For everyone not in the know, a MSM is a man who sleeps/has sex with men, but does not identify as gay or bisexual. This is a common term used in the African American community, and social service agencies serving the African American community. I am not really sure how this is different than gay or bisexual, but perhaps you should pose that question to a member of the African American community, and listen to their response. I am sure it will be a well developed, logical explanation of what exactly a MSM is and how it differs from gay or bisexual.
I say this, because how is Reed specifically going to target “gays”. Also, isn’t using the umbrella term ‘gay” discounting lesbians, MsM, etc? Is Reed also targeting the transgender community? What about Bisexuals? I have a novel idea, why doesn’t Kasim Reed try NOT targeting any one group or demographic audience, and simply articulate his message to the people. Then, if the message is strong and resonates with folks, he will garner their vote. Quit labeling people and quit “targeting the gays”. What have you done for the gay community? Not what are you going to do, but what have you already done?
That’s what I thought.
Have a blessed day
atl will vote black
November 5th, 2009
10:17 am
the run off is her downfall. wait and see
Rod
November 5th, 2009
10:20 am
Well is she a republican? I called her office to ask when she went to the Republican convention and they stated they think it was election before last but they have to check and get back to me because they are not sure about last year. I want to know how you are independent and go to republican convention? Just tell the truth. I have seen Mary in my neighborhood and have talked to her.I like her and I voted for her Tuesday. However I hope her office calls me back to tell me about the convention last year. I laugh at some of these postings. Reed is corrupt blah blah as if Mary hasn’t been in the council all these years. What happened to the money did anyone suggest an audit committee along the way?Also the headlines read racial lines this or that but what’s funny is how Mary is getting a higher percentage of black votes( I for one) than the 3 other black candidates combined are getting of white voters. I need some answers because the republicans as a whole have lost their minds period. I want to see some signs of the moderates gaining ground but I don’t see that. I was thinking about being one but with the conversative dominating that party and pushing good people out like Dede I don’t see a place for a black man in that party(other than Steele and Juan Williams(fox news)-lol). This is going to being and interesting few days until Dec 1.Funny how the gays(I’m a black gay) say little about the problems about black gay pride and how the park was shut down on that day. Face it we are separate and don’t do enough in the gay or straight community to help across the racial lines.There are positive signs but when people think we are post racial they are the same ones buying swamp land and liking it until the house they just built sinks-lol
Shar
November 5th, 2009
10:37 am
The Sixth District is important because we have traditionally had a higher rate of voter turnout for runoff elections than have most other districts in the City, because there is a relatively high level of political activism and because there are several runoffs that will increase voter interest.
Mary Norwood offended many, many Sixth District voters during the controversy over the Piedmont Park parking deck. She was in an election year and refused to say whether she would support the deck; instead, she said she’d be governed by the neighborhood’s wishes, which were 90% opposed. She won in a squeaker and immediately cast the deciding vote for the deck, in accordance with her Buckhead supporters’ desires.
She has been on the Council for 8 years and accomplished absolutely nothing. She voted for every disastrous budget and for the police pension scheme, which will bankrupt the City. Her excuse? She “didn’t understand” what she was voting on, or the consequences are someone else’s fault. She has rubberstamped tax increases, bloated budgets (including her own, where she spent more on herself than any other Council member), layoffs and airport patronage.
She’s a liar, an incompetant and an idiot. She betrayed the Sixth District and we haven’t forgotten. Our substantial GLBT community was just as angry at her duplicity as anyone else, and they too have borne the results of the City’s failure to manage its business. Organizational endorsements are important, but politically active voters of all genders, races, religions and sexualities are much more likely to be swayed by what they have observed and the platforms that have been advanced.
That, more than the candidates’ stances on gay marriage issues they cannot affect, may well be a stronger driver of the District Six results.
atl will vote black
November 5th, 2009
10:40 am
rod, you are a moron
Kris
November 5th, 2009
10:48 am
Any LGBT person who supports Kasim Reed over Mary Norwood is an idiot.
Kris
November 5th, 2009
10:50 am
Kasim Reed = Campbell/Franklin Part III
deborah
November 5th, 2009
10:58 am
Reed should expect this marriage issue to hound him.
I live in the 6th, and I can tell you now that Reed — who felt brave enough to say in public that he has “religious qualms” about my kind of relationship — is simply not an option to me. I will remember Maine when I return the snub this December. Peace.
Goodness
November 5th, 2009
11:02 am
My Lord 1st kasim is an MSM then a downlow…whatever This race has me emotionally tired and drained. Mary is good. I am skeptical about Kasim because he is part of the quote unquote machine, he is not married and I see him pictured with women on the net but he is not engaged or there is no rumour of a significant other that we have ever seen him with at social functions or what have you i wonder oh well…next
RaceCop
November 5th, 2009
11:17 am
If the white girl wins it is racist.
ATL
November 5th, 2009
11:35 am
Why is this race about being gay or black,
who every can do the job is who we should vote for,
reed or norwood, every one talk a big talk when they are running for office but as soon as they get in office they change, we all know how it go, so please vote for your choice. it’s not about being gay or black, this city is in bad shape and we need a mayor that will step up and fix it.
Jumbo G is the king on conventional thinking
November 5th, 2009
11:46 am
Jumbo G gets mad when I call him Jumbo. He deleted my comment. OH well. But lets face it the black community has problems with the gays and gay marriage in particular. Even The Obama, peace be upon him, does not support gays marrying. Hey Jumbo G, do hate the playa…hate the game.
atl will vote black
November 5th, 2009
1:54 pm
shut the f up larry………loser
Call Karla Drenner
November 5th, 2009
2:20 pm
People who say Kasim wasn’t at the parade are just stupid!
Look on his facebook page where he has posted pics and is even wearing an “I’m Proud” sticker.
Someone in his camp said he left around 2:30pm since he had a televised debate that night and had to be at the studio at 3:00pm.
Look at the man’s record on LGBT and what he has done.
Look at why the Stonewall Democrats and Karla Drenner endorsed him. I think someone posted it above.
Call Karla Drenner
November 5th, 2009
2:24 pm
Here, I copied and pasted it:
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.
KR supporter and gay
November 5th, 2009
2:31 pm
He was at the parade and shook my hand during the parade.
From his twitter:
Pics from the Atlanta Pride Parade! I had a great time participating w/Stonewall Dems, Reps Drenner & Gardner
http://tinyurl.com/ylnq8qr
and
http://twitpic.com/nw5kt
AJC Management
November 5th, 2009
4:43 pm
Wash your hand KR supporter and gay.
common sense aint common
November 5th, 2009
4:55 pm
im a kasim reed supporter & he was @ the parade w/ me & other supporters.
he has been endorsed by the only openly gay senator in the GA legislature
mary norwood is an idiot who cant even immediately recall who she voted for president. she makes sarah palin look like a rhodes scholar. its frightening that a person of her incapacity mught actually become mayor
Jumbo G is the king of conventional thinking
November 5th, 2009
6:00 pm
I predict that the next mayor will be a democrat hack and will hasten ATL’s transofrmation into the Detroit of the South. How ’bout that?
Crissy
November 5th, 2009
10:22 pm
I don’t know what kind of test scores Mary Norwood ever got, but I know she has worked hard and been deeply involved in many, many aspects of Atlanta life for years. Contrary to what “common sense ain’t common” suggests, she was smart enough to shepherd through the only ordinance that has successfully limited the crazy intown development that was threatening to ruin our neighborhoods. She knows people, groups, and issues from all over the city–she was the only candidate who knew about the new tree group, for instance– and she seems to be good at building consensus. Even her campaign slogan– about how can we get Atlanta to work for everyone again–indicates that she has the right idea about where the city needs to go. Compared to her, Mr. Reed seems like an opportunistic Johnny-come-lately who entered the mayor’s race …. um, why did he enter it? I never even heard of him before this spring… what has he done for Atlanta? How many years has he spent listening to people, attending neighborhood events, finding out what needs to be done–and then trying to do it– to bring back faith in Atlanta and its pitiful excuse for a city government? Mary Norwood may not be a rocket scientist or a fancy lawyer, but she knows this city and seems determined to work with everyone to get this city working again. Maybe she could even talk the state into helping out–as other states do for their marquee cities.
BTW, calling her a Republican? That was pathetic. Talk about code for “hey–she’s white!” Even if it wasn’t code, what part of the Republican message–less government, lower taxes, encouraging business investment–is a problem for this city?
Crissy Norwod?
November 6th, 2009
1:18 pm
Hey Crissy — are you Mary’s kid or something?
Republican isn’t code for “hey–she’s white!” — the fact that someone who is mildly retarded is even considered to be a credible candidate — THAT is code for “hey–she’s white!”.
I don’t understand who these uptight gays are who claim to love her — where I was standing at Pride all I could hear were rounds of boos when she came by.
Marys for Mary!
November 6th, 2009
2:37 pm
I am one Mary who is for Mary Norwood. She has done much to help me and my partner as well as AID Atlanta get the permit approved to hold the AIDS walk… and by the way, she did it without any fan-fair… she did it because it was the right thing to do. LOVE TO YOU MARY NORWOOD, and your husband Felton too!
Robert Bryant
November 7th, 2009
4:56 pm
Actually, black people are notoriously religious and therefore notoriously against equality for gay citizens. Kasim Reed is a perfect example. Great voting record, but because of his religion he supports seperate but equal for gay people. That is wrong and very telling about how he will govern our city. Sunday drinking laws for example. Will Reed continue to support the Sunday ban on mimosas for brunch because of his religion? Makes you wonder.
j d smith
November 7th, 2009
7:26 pm
Enter your comments here
Kaipo
November 10th, 2009
12:33 pm
Enter your comments here
Kaipo
November 10th, 2009
12:55 pm
The two candidates are pathetic and actually unimpressive. Of course Kasim Reed is the worst of all. Lacks knowledge and unqualified. His ideas for a city like Atlanta is detestable and egregiuos Did you all him in the last weeks of the first election turn the qualification for Mayor into who is more democratic and who voted for whom as if that determines who wil govern the City of Atlanta better. Reed could not even understand that it was structurally impossible to hire 750 police officers. This man is all about ego and power and no brains whatsoever. It is all about vanity. He could be worse than Campbell. Campbell had brains at least. Now on Norwood. She lost it when she had to take out an ad to list that she had never voted for a republican. What would have been wrong if she voted for a republican? So what. Norwood lacks scrupples. These two candidates are now outfronting each other on who is more pro gay. You wonder the kind of City Atlanta will be if any of these candidates wins considering the mess that Franklin will be leaving behind. The time has come for the state to consider legislation
to take over the city of Atlanta or to merge it into Fulton County. It is very clear we will never get a family oriented city. families are running from the city because of fear of the level of depraved indecency they may see.
Business End
November 11th, 2009
11:15 am
We have a choice between stinky and stinky. I’m holding my nose and voting for the one that seems to least offend me in the moment. Kasim is more of the same. Mary screwed us on the deck and deserves to go back to private life. She’s independent, but voted for Obama. Did she think Obama’s cronyism with Rezco was acceptable? Does Kasim? Do they want to get in bed with corrupt businessmen, too? Buy a big house they can’t afford with a little help from some future jailbird?