WEDDING-BELL BLUES: Sarah Wildman
...But the problem went far beyond what position Democrats took on the amendments. It was that they failed to discuss the rights of gay men and lesbians before the issue was co-opted by the right, that they did not anticipate the issue's key role in the presidential campaign, that they did not aggressively challenge these initiatives before they landed on ballots, and that they did not set up effective and well-funded education campaigns. But most of all, it was that they failed to frame gay marriage in a way that uncertain Americans voters could support it: that discrimination -- no matter who it is against -- is immoral, unconstitutional, and, most of all, un-American. ...
...In Oregon, Kassell tells story after story of swaying voters, including persuading a family that had a "Yes on 36" sign on its lawn to vote against the amendment. "Often it was the opportunity to have the conversation that moved people from a 'yes' to a 'no,'" says Kassell. "I think … many people had not even considered all the ways their relationship with their families were protected through marriage and how many rights and responsibilities came with that. When they looked at that they moved to the 'no' side."
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