There are women all across the City who don’t have children for any number of reasons, whether they simply can’t, choose not to, or circumstances don’t afford them the possibility. I have taken a number of shots in this race from the men running against me, and I accept that as par for the course in a political campaign. But to criticize me as not understanding what young families go through because I might not have children, is over the line and I take great personal offense to the comment, as does my wife. As young teenage girls, both my wife and I lost our mothers and the decision to have children is a deep and personal one that we should be afforded the opportunity to make, without aspersion.
Here’s what I know about raising a young family: I know that young families struggle every day to provide for their kids, make sure they have a good education, and can afford to give them everything they need. It’s why I led the fight for mandatory kindergarten city-wide, it’s why I increased the number of pre-K slots available in New York City, it’s why I have been a staunch advocate for ensuring that children get access to breakfast at school, and it’s why I have made reforming our public education system one of the cornerstones of my campaign.
I have spoken fondly of Ms. McCray and Mr. de Blasio’s family. It’s unfortunate that they cannot do the same about mine –no matter how different it might be from theirs. But for anyone who is interested, I have a large, loving family of Catullo’s and Quinn’s, with 10 nieces and nephews who I absolutely adore, like they’re my own.”
— Out New York mayoral candidate Christine Quinn, responding to disparaging remarks made by Chirlane McCray, wife of Quinn’s opponent Bill de Blasio, that suggest Quinn cannot relate to everyday problems faced by NYC families because she doesn’t have children of her own, published in The New York Times
erasure25
Wtf, breeder litmus test? We can see the clear signs of the new homophobia: they don’t attack us for being gay, they attack us for not having “children of our own” or not having the “right” type of family. Its all coded homophobia.
RSun
@erasure25: So true. My partner and I have chosen not to have children, but as someone who grew up the oldest of 50+ first cousins, I suspect I have a larger insight into the struggles that families face than most.
We have been proxy parents to our nieces and nephews many times over the years and our families wouldn’t have it any other way.
What a ridiculous thing to say. Go Quinn!
Cam
Are they next going to attack her for not having a clean kitchen or that her cakes don’t rise properly?
Seriously, this sounds like it was an article that came from the 1950’s. Love the coded language that screams “Lesbian?”.
ludwig9
The remarks of the strident ex-gay wife of de Blasio is just the latest in the increasingly obvious anti-gay rhetoric that has been lurking in the background of this race.
JH
This sounds ridiculous because it’s not what was said. Maureen Dowd misquoted deBlasio’s wife in the NYTimes, and has since issued an apology. It would be great if Queerty would try to report it accurately instead of inflaming gay hatred towards deBlasio’s wife, who once had relationships with women and still considers sexuality to be fluid.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/21/maureen-dowd-bill-de-blasio-wife-christine-quinn_n_3791298.html
MikeE
@JH: I’m sorry, but her original comments say pretty much the same thing, just with more words.
SmithandB
JH… right on. Queerty is not reporting correctly, and Quinn’s response is a poor attempt to misinterpret Mccray’s comments. There was no attack on the fact that Quinn doesnt have children. Poor form, Queerty, poor form.
LubbockGayMale
As the eldest son in a family of 6, let me tell folks I understand family issues as well as my parents! My siblings and I were always included in discussions about vacations, schooling, finances, etc, etc. About the only thing we weren’t consulted on was the weekly menu! But until/unless we kids were gonna cook, mom made those choices (and they were delicious!). I’ve never married, or fathered kids, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t make a good elected representative at any level.
Kieran
From Weiner failing to call out a homophobic bigot who referred to Christine Quinn as “that dyke”, to Deblazio trotting out his “ex-gay” wife to insinuate that lesbians can’t relate to people who have children…..one wonders just how many more examples of flagrant homophobia rearing its ugly head we are likely to see before this campaign is over. How much lower can the homophobes stoop? Stay tuned.
Kangol
@JH:
Typical Maureen Dowd. This is the same woman who vicious attacked Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, John Kerry, Barack Obama, and many other Democrats, often with skewed quotes or right-wing frames that she helped to enter the mainstream discourse. I hope they fire her.
Quinn is a bad choice for the 99%, lesbian or not, including the many middle, working class and poor LGBTQ New Yorkers who are being driven to the edges of the outer boroughs by her high-powered billionaire friends. That’s why she’s struggling in the polls, though the real estate industry and Wall Street sure love her.
BTW, DeBlasio’s wife never said she was “ex-gay,” did she?
Kangol
Should read: Maureen Dowd…”viciously attacked Hillary Clinton,” etc.
Dakotahgeo
@Cam: Unfortunately, these bastardized conservative haters ARE still residing in the 50’s era! They never will get OUT of the 50’s era. That’s why the following generations are bidding these fossils adieu as the fossils dry out on the ground, worthless pieces/clumps of dust, fit only to be blown away by the next windstorm.
FStratford
This ex-gay wife of a politico is a stupid homophobe.
first of all, my aunts and cousins who are unmarried talk and give advice to my mom ALL the time. They understand family and child rearing. The whole idea that only female parents can be politicians is just as bad as saying that Nancy Pelosi can not be a mayor because she needs to spend time with her kids.
Maureen Dowd’s interpretation of her statement, however it was “summarized” is spot on.
manjoguy
From what I’ve read and seen, Quinn won’t be effective not because she doesn’t have kids but because she just isn’t likable (but I would vote for her over Anthony Weinis).