PFLAG National: Focus on the Field, 6/20/12

 

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

PFLAG Metro DC Advocacy Chair Debates Anti-Marriage Equality Pundit

Hours after President Obama announced his support of civil marriage equality for same-sex couples, PFLAG Metro DC Advocacy Chair David S. Fishback debated conservative radio talk show host Chris Plante on WUSA 9, the Washington, DC-area CBS affiliate.

The mini-debate showcased Fishback’s belief that President Obama’s announcement was the result of a “journey” of discovery and acceptance. According to Fishback: “People are on journeys and are on different places on that journey. Our job [as PFLAGers] is to help people along this journey continue down their road [to discovery], just as the President has done.”

Just as Fishback expected, the President’s remarks have created a ripple effect, influencing the U.S. public’s support for marriage equality. These ripples can most notably be seen in Maryland, where the state’s new Civil Marriage Protection Act is subject to a referendum in November. Before the President’s announcement, public opinion over the bill was split in Maryland because the state’s African American demographic, a traditionally liberal constituency, was not in favor of marriage equality. Now, although the future of the Civil Marriage Protection Act still remains unclear, an open dialogue has been created, making marriage equality a part of the public discussion—a discussion set in motion by President Obama.

As Fishback points out: “President Obama’s announcement illustrates how important it is for PFLAG parents and friends to have these discussions with their friends, neighbors, people in their religious congregations, people in their workplaces, etc. It is personal stories that help people along in this journey.”

We thank David Fishback for representing PFLAG so eloquently, and for spreading the word about this moment in the history of the LGBT rights movement.