Democratic presidential candidate Mike Gravel is walking on air after hearing that HRC and Logo decided to lift their nonsensical ban and allow him to appear at their forthcoming
Though he’s soaring in the clouds, Gravel remains just as grounded as always and took a second this weekend to pen a loverly letter to the lavender set.
The always outspoken former Alaska senator also issues a stern warning to his conspiring competitors, John Edwards and arch “Don’t Ask” nemesis, Hillary Clinton.
Read what he wrote, after the jump.
Open Letter to the LGBT Community from Senator Mike Gravel:
I would like to thank Queerty and the LGBT community for pressuring the Human Rights Campaign to reverse its decision not to invite me to the forum on gay issues. The HRC caved after gay and lesbian people throughout the nation flooded its offices with emails and phone calls demanding my participation. Last week you spoke up for me and now I’m going to speak up for you. I promise to use the HRC forum to advance the entire discussion about gay rights and educate the American public that gay rights is one of the great moral issues of our time.
Gay Marriage: For far too long, Democrats and Republicans have used morality to justify the second-class citizenship of gays and lesbians. Clinton, Edwards and Obama frequently claim their morality and religious upbringing prevent them from supporting marriage equality. What kind of a message do they send to young gays and lesbians when these politicians say that it would be immoral to fight for their right to marry? Unfortunately because the leading Democratic candidates couch their cowardice and hypocrisy in terms of religion and morality, the press and even some LGBT leaders have not challenged their opposition to marriage equality. I will use the HRC forum to tell the American public that denying gays and lesbians equal rights, including marriage, is IMMORAL.
On Gay Pride:
I proudly joined this year’s San Francisco gay pride march and was the first major party presidential candidate to participate in a pride parade. I believe one of the greatest obstacles to the gay rights movement has been the false security of the closet. Millions of gays and lesbians understandably fear the reaction of their employers and their families and continue to hide their sexuality. I have used the platform of the presidential campaign to encourage gays and lesbians to come out and openly fight for their rights. I will repeat this message at the HRC forum and will call upon all Americans to stop listening to the televangelists, psychologists and politicians and start listening to their hearts and embrace their gay children and colleagues.
Warning to Hillary Clinton and John Edwards:
After the last debate, Edwards and Clinton were caught on tape conspiring to have me and the other lower tier candidates kicked out of the subsequent debates. Considering how vulnerable Edwards and Clinton are on gay issues and how outspoken I have been, they understandably would like to deprive me of this powerful platform. But the example of the public outcry over the HRC debate should stand as a warning to anyone who tries to shut down genuine debate. You, the LGBT community, showed that you are sick of being called immoral; you’re tired of being taken for granted. You know that I am one of the few candidates who speaks his mind and isn’t afraid to mount the national stage and tell the American public that depriving gays and lesbians of equal rights is IMMORAL.
And so, thank you again for ensuring that I can share my ideas at the HRC debate. Be sure to watch and listen carefully to what the candidates say about issues that mean so much to your future. This election is going to be a turning point in the history of the gay rights struggle. And I promise that I will do my part to make sure that someday you will live in an America that respects and protects your rights.
Gratefully,
Senator Mike Gravel
[Editor’s note: Readers, I just wanted to say your stellar mobilization makes me proud to edit Queerty. Thank you.]
juliansorl
Excellent re-thinking on the part of the debate organizers. After reading the above, I really look forward to watching the debate. I probably would have skipped it otherwise, since I am so tired of the mainstream democratic party’s double speak and hypocrisy when it comes to gay rights. I’m a single issue voter at the moment and I am not going to compromise.
Mittens Romney
Americans are stupid, therefore I will win election:
http://www.MittensRomney.com
ronhudson
Dear Senator Gravel,
I watched your appearance at the CNN/YouTUBE debate. It was my first opportunity to learn about you. Please know that you will have an opportunity to make a first impression on many LGBTQ people when you appear in the LOGO/HRC debates. I am wondering if you might not attract more bees with honey than with vinegar.
If you can focus your comments on what you would do as President rather than pointing out the shortcomings of the other candidates, I think your strategy would be more effective. Then again, that is just my humble opinion. We have seen people like John McCain attacked for his anger and I am afraid some might just see you as a bitter elder rather than a progressive candidate who supports our community in many, many ways.
I am only asking you to think about my comment, not asking you to change who you are. It is more important for us to see you for your true self than for someone you are not. I have learned that lesson as a gay man and one living with HIV/AIDS over the past 22 years. Be who you are and we will have the chance to decide if we can and should support your candidacy.
Sincerely,
Ron Hudson