Mass. Gay Rights Leaders Challenge Scott Brown to Take Stance on Marriage

Medford State Representative Carl Sciortino was among six gay rights advocates to sign an open letter to U.S. Senator Scott Brown, asking him to announce his support of marriage equality.

Brown, a Republican facing re-election this year, held a fundraiser Monday night at the Westin Copley Hotel in Boston featuring New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. The letter called on Brown to declare his stance on gay marriage during the event.

Christie, also a Republican, recently vetoed a bill passed by the New Jersey legislature that would have legalized gay marriage in the Garden State.

UPDATE (2:20 p.m.): In an email Monday afternoon, Scott Brown Spokesman Colin Reed had this to say in response to the open letter:

“Elizabeth Warren and her supporters are mistaken if they think this election is about social issues. It's about jobs, and reducing debt and controlling spending. Scott Brown appreciates Governor Christie's leadership on fiscal issues. Governor Christie is one of the nation’s leading champions of balanced budgets and government reform. Scott Brown believes we need that same kind of fiscal discipline in Washington, which is why he's fighting to pass a balanced budget amendment.”

The following is the open letter, provided by MassDems.org:

Senator Brown:

When you take the stage with Gov. Chris Christie tonight, the Commonwealth will once again be thrust into the middle of a national civil rights debate. Since Massachusetts became the first state to embrace marriage equality, millions of Americans have declared their support for the right of lesbian and gay couples to marry. As the spotlight falls on Massachusetts tonight, we are hoping that you will join them.

We ask you to use your appearance with Gov. Christie tonight to come out in support of marriage equality and call on Gov. Christie to take a firm stance for equality in his home state.

You’re record on LGBT issues leaves a lot to be desired. You supported a constitutional amendment to take away our right to marry, said it was “not normal” for gays and lesbians to raise children, welcomed the support of anti-gay groups, including one the Southern Poverty Law Center says is a hate group and refused to participate in our congressional delegations’ It Gets Better Video.

One recent poll found that 60% of Massachusetts voters support marriage equality. Every day more and more Americans are shrugging off the yoke of old thinking and embracing the very American view that everyone should be treated equally under the law.

Coming out in support of marriage equality tonight would be much more than a symbolic gesture. With the U.S. Senate considering a repeal of Defense of Marriage Act, your support would go a long way toward allowing marriage equality to spread throughout our nation.

Senator, it is time for you to support a position that is held by an overwhelming majority of Massachusetts voter. It’s time for you to embrace marriage equality.

Signed,

State Rep. Liz Malia (D-Jamaica Plain)

State Rep. Carl Sciortino (D-Medford)

Stephen Driscoll, Co-Chair, National Stonewall Democrats

Tom Barbera, Co-Chair, SEIU Lavendar Caucus*

Louise Johnson, SEIU Lavendar Caucus*

Tony Fernandes, Vice President, Pride at Work*