Kasim Reed says he’s still ‘wrestling with my beliefs’ on gay marriage
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed this evening said he’s not ready to follow President Barack Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage, declaring he was still “wrestling with my own personal beliefs.”
Here’s his statement:
“I respect President Obama’s decision to stand in support of marriage equality. I have fought hard for the rights of gays and lesbians my entire political career, from protecting adoption rights for gay and lesbian families, to voting against Georgia’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage as a state senator, to serving as the state house sponsor for the only hate crimes bill ever passed in the state of Georgia.
“While I am still wrestling with my own personal beliefs on the issue of marriage, I deeply appreciate the contributions gays and lesbians make to our city every single day and I remain committed to Atlanta’s vibrant and diverse LGBT community.”
Local petitions like this one on Facebook, urging Reed to hurry up and “evolve,” are already pushing the issue.
- By Jim Galloway, Political Insider
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165 comments Add your comment
Dave
May 10th, 2012
8:34 pm
What do the President’s or the Mayor’s personal or religious beliefs have to do with anything? Two black men (only one after yesterday) aren’t too sure that the rights they, now and too late, have should be offered to other folks? Last time I looked the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the federal and state constitutions weren’t based on personal beliefs. The reason they are there is to expressly say that what some people personally believe and impress on others, being in the majority, don’t pass muster when they harm the minority.
I understand the need for society to, and I hate to use the word in this context, evolve. But being an old, white, liberal guy, it really bothers me when black leaders grudgingly, if that, acknowledge that others may, just may, be deserving of the same constitutional protections the people that came before them fought for.
demetris spivey (real mane)
May 10th, 2012
8:35 pm
1st ill pray for all the nonbelievers(in christ)……of course homosexuality is wrong….its funny how people try to explain the fact that a man can be attracted to another man and thats “normal”….man is an animal…right? so why are there no gay dogs or fish or horses??????…maybe because its a choice?….o yeah, i’d only be judging if i said “she dosen’t need to be with him” thats judging…. two men or women being together is wrong thats not judging, that’s facts, like 1+1=2. here’s a little more, for all the “fools” that don’t believe in god(by the way “fool” in bible terms is some1 who dosen;t know about god….so i leave you with this question….what came first the chicken or the egg?….that’s right a chicken comes from an egg and vice-versa, so something had to create it!!!,,, last thing for now, if homosexuality is not wrong and its cool for the same sex to marry, why can’t they have children???…O yeah that’s right there the same sex!…eye love being right
Just Like Rome (not Georgia)
May 10th, 2012
8:37 pm
I find it interesting that one might be berated as a bigot or simple when one simply does not agree that same sex marriages, couples, etc are correct. It certainly won’t stop you if that’s what you feel you need to do so don’t get so angry when you don’t get a rubber stamp.
D man
May 10th, 2012
8:40 pm
Larry is correct. Liberals are sick people who are trying to change our great nation into Sodom and Gomorrah. How any Christian can vote for any Liberal shows me that there are Christians who need to think about their choices.
Dirty Dawg
May 10th, 2012
8:52 pm
Enter your comments here
luangtom
May 10th, 2012
8:53 pm
Everyone is ignoring the issues at hand. Such a diversion away from jobs, economy, deficit and national defense is a great end-run for both parties. Instead of letting voters know how these issues will be dealt with, we get 24/7 coverage of gay-rights. This should not be an issue to decide any political office in question at this time in our history. Get over it, America.
OldGrunt
May 10th, 2012
8:56 pm
The Mayor should not worry. This is such a critical issue facing our country that one may have to change their minds over and over again!
OH MY, OH MY!! It appears that President Obama is ‘EVOLVING’ again!
http://campaign2012.washingtonexaminer.com/blogs/beltway-confidential/wh-wont-call-repeal-doma/534831
Hard for him to put his mouth where the money was isn’t it?
Could care less Obama’s sexual preferences. Do care about his decision making abilities, and his ability to stick to his values once a decision is made. He has demonstrated throughout his presidency that he dithers, and muddles in coming to a decision. Not the best traits in a chief executive. Have a problem with the ‘world leader’ when he pulls his daughters in his decision making process — when he continues to claim that children should be left out of political debates.
Think that Obama would sell anyone down the river to save his own hide!
Interesting how Obama says one thing to get elected, and something different to get reelected! Does the man have a core?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJhQBZ1La0w
Oh — when will we hear that the Democratic National Convention will be moved to either San Francisco, LA, or Chicago? Bet that is working as we speak!
guy
May 10th, 2012
8:56 pm
If God meant there should have been same sex marriages please realize none of us would be here anyway.Go do your thing,people,but man cannot legalize what’s wrong in God’s sight.I think God made Adam and Eve,not Adam and Steve.
In this society,some think if man passes a law that they want and it makes them feel good, then it’s ok. WRONG!!!!
No man can trump God’s law!!!
Cutty
May 10th, 2012
8:59 pm
Hell there are rumors out there that Kasim was a homosexual. I have been hearing that for years.
M
May 10th, 2012
9:00 pm
guy:
Which god? There have been several.
Dirty Dawg
May 10th, 2012
9:01 pm
Hey d-man…this Liberal isn’t interested in turning our nation into anything but a society that lives by the teachings of Jesus…you know the ‘Golden Rule’ thing. And I’m damn sure not interested in your definition of Christianity…you know the one that bases their entire belief about homosexuality on a few versus from Leviticus. A book of the Bible that’s so full of holes that serious consideration should be given to throwing the whole damn thing out.
Fact
May 10th, 2012
9:10 pm
It’s simple. Put all the gay men on an island in the Pacific and put all the gay women on an island in the Atlantic and come back in 100 years or so and see if there is anyone left. There won’t be. It’s not the way it’s suppose to be. It’s not God’s way, he already made them, one man and one woman and that’s what makes the generations keep going.
Yeahwhatever
May 10th, 2012
9:12 pm
Next I guess we will let sisters and brothers marry as long as they are consenting adults right? Marriage was derived from the Bible just as a lot of our laws were….and if people are so anti chrristian now–which is why this world is going to hell–then why do they insist on this RELIGIOUS CEREMONY. Civil unions were good enough….its a Civil rights issue right? Confusion about Unequally yoke may have confused some about interracial marriage but the Bible is very clear on homosexuality. And there are Biblical scriptures that discuss releases for divorce including abusiveness……read it…..
guy
May 10th, 2012
9:12 pm
M There are many gods and selfish things we give in to that we’re not proud of(myself included) but there is only one true God!
Highly Evolved
May 10th, 2012
9:13 pm
The Gay coalition is shoving their sexual preferences down our throat. We all want the government out of our lives why should anyone care what Obama thinks about gay anything. If they want to be treated fairly stop shoving what they do behind closed doors and public bathrooms in our face no wants to know what you do. Remember when you force things on folks they generally don’t like it! Keep it to yourself, live and prosper!
gordon
May 10th, 2012
9:20 pm
I REALLY COULD CARE LESS WHO MARRY’S WHO TO EACH THERE OWN, THIS WORLD IS SO F’ED UP WHAT IS ONE MORE THING, MOVE ON PEOPLE AND DEAL WITH IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M
May 10th, 2012
9:20 pm
How fortunate you were, guy, to be born at a time and place where you were lucky enough to worship the one true creator of the universe, and not his many impostors. Kudos, sir.
not me
May 10th, 2012
9:21 pm
If you are not for gay marriage then don’t marry someone of the same sex. It really is that simple. Whose business is it besides the marrying couple?
trina@atl
May 10th, 2012
9:21 pm
I have gay family members and no I do not believe they should get married. Sin is sin and no real Christian who believes the bible would ever think that being gay is ok. No I do not hate them or anyone for that matter but that does not mean I have to agree with their lifestyles.
old man
May 10th, 2012
9:23 pm
1. The President’s personal opinion is the same as mine.
2. Legally, it’s a state issue, not a federal one. I think Obama agrees with that, except perhaps to the extent state law seeks to deprive some of federal rights while allowing those rights to others, on the basis of sexual preference.
3. Obama has sworn to uphold the Constitution. It calls for separation of church and state. I am quite certain he would agree that as Chief Magistrate he could never allow anyone to force a church to perform a gay marriage ceremony against its will.
4. I think this is a big moment in the life of our country, and I am proud of President Obama.
5. I go to Church every Sunday, and I am a devout Christian.
M
May 10th, 2012
9:23 pm
“I don’t hate them, I just don’t want them to be able to do the things that I do. Also, they’ll burn in hell.”
MiltonMan
May 10th, 2012
9:29 pm
Reed is a joke. This is the best that the Democrats have to offer in this state??? Democrats in Georgia about as common as A&P stores these days.
old man
May 10th, 2012
9:30 pm
Highly Evolved:
So you are OK with heterosexuality being “shoved down your throat,” with all of the offensive crap we see on TV, but somehow you think any other kind of sex is wrongfully being “shoved down your throat.” If you want to be on a crusade, look first to the real problem: rampant, promiscuous promotion of OPPOSITE SEX casual and vulgar relationships. Gay relationships in the media are never portrayed with such lewd and suggestive language and images. Open your ears and your eyes.
old man
May 10th, 2012
9:31 pm
And what about OPPOSITE SEX people getting married 4 times and then running for office without any of the Tea Party fools saying anything. Complete hypocrisy.
M
May 10th, 2012
9:32 pm
http://www.iheartchaos.com/post/22806986381/the-time-when-same-sex-marriage-was-a-christian-rite
Mel
May 10th, 2012
9:34 pm
To all of you spouting that it’s unnatural, that it’s a sin, that it’s not God’s way… if you can tell me the day you chose to be straight, I’ll listen to you. I knew I was straight when I was 5. 5 YEARS OLD. Long before I knew what the words “heterosexual” or “homosexual” or “sex” meant. I didn’t choose to be straight anymore than I chose my skin color. You don’t choose to be gay. And I *guarantee* that nobody here can name ONE way in which it negatively affects your life for two gay people to get married. If it does, you have bigger issues going on in your life.
Jack From Cumming
May 10th, 2012
9:35 pm
This is a joke that the unemployment and economy are not being focused on. I am a conservative who believe gay marriage is fine but also should not be in the near discussion for American debatEs in terms of importance
Jack From Cumming
May 10th, 2012
9:36 pm
Do people not realize Obama and Reesd don’t care about this issue unless it means votes?
Jack From Cumming
May 10th, 2012
9:37 pm
Your proud of Obama? How about him canclling a both Carolina speech as gay marriage is being voted on?
Angry Voter
May 10th, 2012
9:40 pm
Who cares what Reed thinks? It’s not a City issue. He will never be governor or a national political figure. He doesn’t have any real following, like Mayor Jackson or even Mayor Franklin had in their times. What Reed may or may not think couldn’t be any less relevant. If he were for gay marriage, would it make any difference? Does his being against it have any impact?
Serious waste of reporting here. The story does nothing but inflate Reed’s ego by making him think being mayor of a medium sized city within a large metro area makes him somehow important or influential.
Fact
May 10th, 2012
9:43 pm
Agreed. This is about politics. The ONLY reason why the prez came out about this issue on gay marriage is because he is going to L.A. for a $40,000 a plate fundraiser. It’s purely politics, he wants votes and Hollywood is full of liberal democrats and money.
Jack From Cumming
May 10th, 2012
9:48 pm
Are liberals so naive to think this is some monumental stance and not politicians looking at the potential to get donor dollars and move attention from real national issues
mamaj
May 10th, 2012
9:52 pm
Don’t get it twisted people; it’s not the Christians versus the gay people on here. Everyone on this blog, including myself, is not a devout Christian, but are still entitled to an opinion that differs from yours. I don’t spend ANY time thinking about what gay people are doing in their bedrooms, nor heterosexuals either, for that matter, but when I am asked an opinion on their right to marry, my answer is an astounding NO! I would be open to ALL 50 states granting them the same benefits, rights and protection as married couples and calling it a civil union, but a marriage between two people of the same sex, whether male or female, does not fit my definition of marriage, and it ain’t got nothing to do with any religion. Yes, sometimes the rose by another name is just as sweet!
Calvin G. Sims, Sr.
May 10th, 2012
9:59 pm
Being Gay or being attracted to people of the same sex is no more a choice than my being straight and wanting to nail every attractive woman I see. There is actually nothing wrong with any of that.
However, if in eaither scenario, those feelings are acted upon, men having sex with men, women having sex with women, or me having sex with as many women as I am physically able to, that would be wrong. That would be a sin and an abomination before God.
I respect people having a choice only as far as they may go to make good choices.
Single and Lovin' it
May 10th, 2012
10:01 pm
Marriage… whatever. I discovered when I was about 25 or 26 that the whole notion of partnering with one person for the rest of your life (regardless of straight or gay) wasn’t the way I was wired. I think marriage is a societal thing as opposed to a biological “need.” There are too many hotties running around to choose and commit to just one. And I think the cheating statistics show I might not be the only one who feels this way.
M
May 10th, 2012
10:04 pm
Notice, Calvin, that YOU get to have sex in your little scenario. You just stop before you get to all that you’re “physically able to.”
So it’s false equivalence. Try again.
td
May 10th, 2012
10:11 pm
old man
May 10th, 2012
9:23 pm
You can go to church every Sunday and say you are a devout Christian all we want but one day I want to be there when you attempt to explain your views on homosexuality to God.
M
May 10th, 2012
10:12 pm
Maybe, td, you’d have to explain your obvious glee over another person’s suffering to God immediately afterward.
mamaj
May 10th, 2012
10:16 pm
Now here’s a question for you; do you vote for the man who acquiesced due to pressure from the masses breathing down his neck, even though you knew what his stance was 4 years ago, or do you vote for the man who clearly and unequivocally with his words and his posture is saying HELL NO, and I ain’t changing my opinion ? Seems to me that the president, at least even from the beginning, was willing to compromise, leaving marriage matters up to each state, and even going along with granting same sex couples full civil unions, but no, that wasn’t good enough. The man is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.
td
May 10th, 2012
10:17 pm
M
May 10th, 2012
10:12 pm
Who is suffering and why?
M
May 10th, 2012
10:18 pm
I was referring to your desire to be present when God reprimands someone else. Good Christian love, I suppose.
mamaj
May 10th, 2012
10:21 pm
@td
God already knows ‘Old Man”s views on homosexuality—-and God agrees.
Really?
May 10th, 2012
10:22 pm
Proof once more that all you need is to be BLACK to be MAYOR OF ATLANTA. Ability, skill or concern for the City is completely unnecessary.
td
May 10th, 2012
10:22 pm
M
May 10th, 2012
10:18 pm
According to my understanding, we will all be before God and each one of us will have to explain our actions in front of everyone that has ever lived. I know I personally have many things to explain and I just hope that I will be able to remain in heaven afterwords.
td
May 10th, 2012
10:25 pm
mamaj
May 10th, 2012
10:21 pm
Believe that if you choose too but I do not believe it and at least that is one issue I will not have to answer for one day.
M
May 10th, 2012
10:32 pm
God should have to explain why he keeps making gay babies, then.
OedipusTax
May 10th, 2012
10:39 pm
A relationship between a man and a woman blessed by God and acknowledged by law gets to have a name, and has had a name for thousands of years. The name is marriage.
I’m all for gays to unite legally and under their Higher Power, if they have one. That way, they can share property just as married people do. “Gay union” seems a suitable term. And if that union dissolves, they too can pay $295 an hour to some blood sucking lawyer to help divide the common assets, just as married people have to. Now there is some worthwhile equality!
Gays have evolved their own words, The word “gay” itself has been appropriated by and large by male homosexuals. I’m sure with all the intelligence of the homosexual community, they can derive THEIR word, if union isn’t considered appropriate, and whatever word that is, it should be recognized as equal under the law. How about “garriage?”
There, a single word. But “gay marriage” is an oxymoron, always will be, and no amount of protests, whining, and complaining will every change that God given meaning.
DannyX
May 10th, 2012
10:39 pm
What are your sins td?
You throw your Book at gay people. What can we throw at you?
M
May 10th, 2012
10:41 pm
Which verse in the bible is it, again, that says “And lo, ‘marriage’ shall be defined as…”?
I can wait if it takes you a while.
DannyX
May 10th, 2012
10:43 pm
““Gay union” seems a suitable term.”
The Episcopal church is fine calling it marriage. Who made your church king?
Christians changed the definition of marriage when they went against the word of Jesus by allowing divorce. Divorce used to be a big NO.