Our favorite male model/Oompa Loompa/failed gubernatorial candidate (twice!) REALLY wants queer votes! The Dino Rossi Senate campaign has resorted to buying ad space on the popular gay news website, Towleroad despite the fact Mr. Rossi has long been an opponent of gay causes. He doesn’t support gay marriage, or domestic partnerships, or same-sex couples receiving insurance or pension benefits, or being allowed to inherit their partner’s estates. He supports DADT and DOMA. He appears to need and want LGBTQ votes. He has no need for us otherwise. Need proof? Here’s quotes from “real” news organizations, (all emphasis is mine):
From Seattle Weekly, Jan, 28, 2010:
In 2001 the Public Employees Benefits Board declared that the same-sex partners of state employees would be eligible for coverage under the state health care plan. Rossi co-sponsored a bill that would have stripped same-sex partners of the right to be covered as any heterosexual spouse of a state employee would. That bill was stranded in committee and died.
From KOMO TV, May 28, 2010:
Rossi was much more decisive about his views on two key gay rights issues looming in the Senate.
On whether Congress should repeal the ban on gays in the military, Rossi said, “‘Don’t ask, don’t tell’ appears to have been working.”
and
As for the federal ban on gay marriage, Rossi said he would oppose any effort to repeal that.
“Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act? No,” said Rossi. “My view is clear that marriage is between one man and one woman.”
From Seattle Gay News, September 19, 2008:
Asked if Rossi supported other rights for same-sex couples besides hospital visitation and medical consent, Strait said Rossi “wouldn’t overturn current law. He’s concerned about one specific provision of the current law.”
That specific provision is the right of survivorship in property ownership. Washington is a community property state. Surviving spouses inherit full ownership of community property – the couple’s house, for example – upon the death of their spouse, even if there is no will. Additions to the state’s domestic partnership law passed this year extend the same rights to registered domestic partners. Rossi opposes this provision of the law.
Rossi told the Times, “Well, that’s why you have wills. That’s a problem. That’s a huge problem. That’s a problem legally, with the transfer of assets.” Strait confirmed to SGN that Rossi favors reversing this provision of the law, but added, “He is not campaigning on this issue.”
Asked if Rossi would oppose additional rights being added for same-sex couples, Strait said, “Well, what more is there? Supporting or opposing domestic partnerships or civil unions is not part of his agenda. He would look at future legislation on a case by case basis.”
You get the picture…
-Michael Strangeways
