Wow. It brought tears to my eyes, too. I immediately sent the link to several people.

oh man. i'm teary.

I sent him a very simple thank you, but a thank you nonetheless. That's wonderful.

Absolutely beautiful. Hope this speech becomes a model for others.

This give me hope.

Amazing. I hardly ever get the chance to look at a politician and believe that they are 100% sincere but wow, I'm teary too.

Wow. I hope other conservatives follow his amazing example and start standing up for equality as well.

I agree with Cara -- this can give us all hope.

What a great guy. That was really moving. I sent a message to his office telling just how admirable that was, and I hope he gets a lot of love from the public over this.

I also hope he gets plenty more support but I assume he'll be getting plenty of criticism for this one too.
I got a little misty-eyed watching this video, it was big of him to make such a heartfelt public address and firmly state his position on this issue. I'm going to email his office.

Seriously? It took the guy all this time to admit that gays shouldn't be discrimated against? Is that why you're all crying? He's hardly a hero for (finally) acknowledging human rights.

Wow! I am impressed and inspired and a little teary-eyed. Too often, politicians are seen as evil. But cases like these are examples that there are still politicians who are in it for the right reason.

Here at feministing.com, we often get teary-eyed over subjects of social injustices and video clips of sheer misogyny and homophobia. It's nice to see this for a change.

I am writing his office as well. :)

Special K, no one is calling him a hero. I won't go that far, but I will say it was brave for him to assert this stance especially when it's such an unpopular one among his Republican mates. In a perfect world equality and human rights would be a given but we all know that in reality that's far from the case. I think it's important to offer support in hopes that other politicians might follow suit.

What an amazing, touching video. I agree, ProFeministMale, it's nice to see something inspiring once in a while instead of nauseating.

I hope for more politicians to drop this "civil union" nonsense and stand by their true convictions.

What an amazing, touching video. I agree, ProFeministMale, it's nice to see something inspiring once in a while instead of nauseating.

I hope for more politicians to drop this "civil union" nonsense and stand by their true convictions.

(Eep. Sorry for the double-post, gang.)

Nice story, but wouldn't it be great if San Diego had a mayor for whom compassion was the default position?

Oh man, this so made my day! I just sent a note too, to let him know that he did our city proud. Considering that marriage equality just FAILED another step here in my new home of Maryland... I so wanna go home. sigh.

Harmony in contrast.
Tough Guys saying tender, loving things.
Some moments stay beautiful.

Nice story, but wouldn't it be great if San Diego had a mayor for whom compassion was the default position?

Because everyone was born enlightenened, and those that come to the same conclusions as you later, should never be given any credit? Why people are being snarky about him coming to realize he was wrong, because the fact that he was ever 'wrong' in the first place somehow lessens what he says now, seems really mean-spirited. None of us are perfect.

Wow, what a Lifetime Drama! Finally Jerry wakes up and realizes his own daughter isn't the devil. Way to go, Jer! I rate you three hankies.

This is what I wrote to him:

SUBJECT: I am not a part of your constituency, but I thank you regardless.

Dear Mr. Sanders,

I currently reside in the state of Minnesota. I am 35 years old,
mother of a 15 year old boy, and currently in a heterosexual
relationship with a man I plan on marrying.

My mother is a lesbian and lives in Florida. She's been with her
girlfriend for twenty years, and I consider her girlfriend as much a
grandmother to my son as I do her.

It seems unfair that I can easily marry my boyfriend, but my mother,
who has been in a relationship seventeen years longer than mine,
can't. There are many perks, social and emotional, to having one's
union recognized by your government. My mother has worked hard all
her life. If anyone deserves to be able to have that kind of perk,
it's my mom.

Thank you for making a stand for part of my family, and part of
everyone's family.

Warmest regards,
[Glossolalia Black]

I found this speech very moving too. It takes guts to honestly admit, to yourself and to the world at large, that you've been in the wrong. And guts to do something about it. Bravo.

Cynics aside, it's exceptionally rare for 1) a member of his generation 2) a straight white male, and 3) a conservative, to step forward from the safety of his own party and make such a contradictory decision.

This was brave, and I am grateful. If we want to see continued change alone these lines, it is everything we can do to deliver some positive reinforcement.

Beautiful, simply beautiful.

Oh, and suck on that fatherly love, Cheney.

I'm so happy that he's changed his mind. If only everyone against gay marriage could do the same.

Oh, and suck on that fatherly love, Cheney.

"This is a man who will say & do anything."
- Vice-Presedent Dick Cheny on the '04 campagin trail, responding to John Kerry's stating the Freaking Obvious during one the debates where Bush may / may not have been wired.

Oh, and suck on that fatherly love, Cheney.

"This is a man who will say & do anything."
- Vice-Presedent Dick Cheny on the '04 campagin trail, responding to John Kerry's stating the Freaking Obvious during one the debates where Bush may / may not have been wired.

His heart is in the right place, but in my opinion, the idea should be for the state to grant civil unions to all and marriage to none.

His heart is in the right place, but in my opinion, the idea should be for the state to grant civil unions to all and marriage to none.

Oh wow. That was awesome. I just e-mailed him to thank him now.

Great story. I emailed his office as well. I especially liked how he explained why it's not okay to have "civil unions" for some and "real marriage" for others. Too many Democrats have advocated solely civil unions. I believe that's just a way of making a separate but (NOT) equal system, as Mayor Sanders said.

"Oh, and suck on that fatherly love, Dick Cheney."

Exactly. Women are told daily in the news media that they're not good enough mothers. I think it's only fair to point out that denying your own child her rights to equal protection under the law is a big no-no in the book of good parenting. Or decent human being.

Amazing. I sincerely hope that more conservative politicians follow his lead. I will definately write his office as soon as I get the chance.

I saw this on the San Diego evening news and was also stunned and moved. Having witnessed Mayor Sanders' blanket, uncompromising conservative campaign a couple of years ago, this change of heart is truly a little miracle.

Am I the only one who thinks he's being blackmailed by his 'masseuse'?

One percent of my faith in politicians has returned. Ninety-nine to go.

I thanked him, too.

That is so amazing. And beautiful. Finally--a politician clearly using his conscience and reason to make a decision. I sent him an e-mail.

I read his bio on his page. I saw that his daughter is my age. I would be so proud to be his daughter now.

I just dropped him a line telling him how proud we are to hear someone in power speaking the truth about marriage equality. I figure the guy needs a pat on the back, since he's going to go through political purgatory over this, and it really was a huge act of courage.