Blue Mass Group

Update: Christian Berle, deputy executive director of Log Cabin Republicans, says, “In the state Senate his record was not friendly towards the LGBT community-I think the senator would acknowledge that.” So you’ve honored him for his one vote on DADT? Which came after it was clear that DADT would be repealed? That’s not political courage, Log Cabin Republicans.

It is astounding that the debate of Scott Brown on LGBT rights has continued after 10+ years of public service efforts to step on the rights of the LGBT community. It’s even more astounding that an equal rights group focused on gay and lesbian equality would honor his work. Log Cabin Republicans: You should be horribly embarrassed to welcome Senator Brown with open arms.

Do I really need to do this? I know this post is long, but bear with me through it – it’s long because Senator Brown has a very long record of opposing equal rights for the LGBT community. Despite what superstar Eric Fehrnstrom suggests, this is not a fabricated record; this is what Scott Brown has done and said in practice when it comes to standing up for LGBT rights.

Personal Beliefs

In 2001, in reference to then-Senator (and open lesbian) Cheryl Jacques, Brown says, “It’s unusual for two women having a baby. It’s just not normal, in terms of what’s normal in today’s society.” He goes on to say, “I don’t know what their relationship is … They’re certainly not married. There’s a difference of philosophy there. Are there two mothers there? Are they husband and wife?”

In 2004 (to the Globe), Brown wouldn’t clarify why he opposed same-sex marriage, but said, “It’s just a personal belief, based on my religious upbringing. It’s just my feeling.”

Campaign Support from Hate Groups

Brown has accepted campaign contributions from Kristian Mineau, President of the Massachusetts Family Institute, which says that “all sex outside of heterosexual marriage is detrimental to families and that includes homosexuality.”

He also accepted contributions from the Massachusetts Independent PAC for Working Families, which believes that “every child deserves a mother and father to raise them” and which is “dedicated to electing candidates at the state legislative level who support pro-family positions, particularly candidates who support traditional marriage.”

The Coalition for Marriage and Family said of Brown: “for him to be in the Senate would be a plus.”

He received contributions from Brian Camenker of the Article 8 Alliance, who has: tried to unseat judges and elected officials who voted for / enacted same-sex marriage; tried to remove sex education from Newton Public Schools; and said that same-sex marriage was “institutionalizing one of the most unhealthy things a person can do.” (As an aside, ask Rep. Carl Sciortino about those guys.)

And one word: MassResistance. If you want to learn about them, visit the Southern Poverty Law Center’s section on identified hate groups. Not only did Brown accept donations from them, but he has co-sponsored their “Parents’ Rights Bill” … which, among other things, required that public schools notify parents or guardians in advance of any student exposure to information about “alternative sexual behavior,” defined to include homosexuality and gay relationships.

Same-Sex Marriage and Civil Unions

In February 2004, Brown voted for a proposed constitutional amendment stating, “It being the public policy of this Commonwealth to protect the unique relationship of marriage in order to promote, among other goals, the stability and welfare of society and the best interest of children, only the union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Massachusetts.” (House Journal, page 8)

A month later, the Globe calls Brown a “gay marriage opponent” and calls his March 2004 special election to the MA Senate, “a referendum on the debate over whether to legalize gay marriage in Massachusetts.” Spot-on, because in March he voted against a motion to substitute a compromise version of an amendment to the Constitution defining marriage and authorizing same-sex civil unions to include all the benefits and rights of marriage. (House Journal, page 13)

In January 2007, Brown votes in favor of advancing a proposed constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. (House Journal, page 5). Then in June, he votes in favor of an initiative amendment to the Constitution defining marriage as the union between one man and one woman. (Senate Journal)

In December 2009 in a side-by-side comparison on the issues, the Globe says of same-sex marriage: “Brown opposes, and Coakley supports.”

In March 2010, Brown votes to suspend same-sex marriage in Washington, D.C., until the District has a referendum vote.

In 2010, the Washington Post reports, “In the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, Brown has consistently opposed the practice. He has said publicly that he favors civil unions but, on a candidates’ questionnaire eight years ago, he said that Massachusetts should not recognize them.”