I am an alternate delegate for SD 63 for John Marty because of his support for LGBT equality.  My commentary here is why I am supporting John Marty’s campaign for governor and why I think the LGBT community will make a big mistake if we do not get behind this incredible candidate.

When I heard about all the great DFL Candidates for Governor I was so excited.  Never have I seen such a large list of some of the best candidates who have supported LGBT equality over the years.  Matt Entenza has spoken at LGBT Lobby Day rallies many times.  Where would the LGBT community in Minneapolis be without the amazing support of Mayor R.T. Rybak?  After all, he got the city’s Domestic Partner Registry passed.  R.T. Rybak makes being out at Twin Cities Pride festivals and parades a priority.  I remember the outstanding support the LGBT community got from Margaret Anderson-Kelliher when Republican Representative Arlon Lindner attempted to remove sexual orientation from the Minnesota Human Rights Act of 1993 in the year 2003.  All of these candidates have demonstrated a great level of support for the LGBT community.  I can see why so many support these men and women.

However, when it comes to a gubernatorial candidate who is out on the road campaigning, there is only one candidate that has dared to write marriage equality on his campaign brochures.  That candidate is John Marty.  There is only one candidate for governor who has actually introduced a marriage equality bill and that is John Marty.  As of this morning there is only one candidate for governor who has a running mate who has also introduced a marriage equality bill.  That candidate is John Marty and his running mate Patricia Torres Ray.  There are many candidates who are interested in working for marriage equality in Minnesota, but there is only one who is out about it.  And that is John Marty.

Yet, the silly excuses I am hearing about why people are not going to support John Marty include “he is not electable.” Or “John Marty lost in 1993 and he cannot win in 2010 either.”  In other words, many LGBT and progressive Minnesotans are willing to make a self fulfilling prophecy true, rather than work hard to get a real progressive candidate with the vision for marriage equality elected as Governor of Minnesota.  The LGBT community in Minnesota is making a huge mistake if they do not get their support behind this candidate.   John Marty not only has a vision for getting the Minnesota Health Plan that includes single payer and marriage equality passed, John Marty is already doing these things as a senator.  John Marty already has his vision in the works, producing future expansions for the LGBT community in Minnesota.   So which way is LGBT community in Minnesota going to go?  Vote for candidates who say they are for marriage equality only?  Or will they come together and support a candidate that is already working towards the day of making marriage equality a reality for Minnesota?

I hope many uncommitted LGBT delegates to this years DFL State Convention will join me and the others in supporting John Marty.  It is time the Minnesota LGBT community had a true leader for equality as Governor.  We have the opportunity to support such a candidate.   Let the Minnesota LGBT community stop talking about supporting marriage equality, let’s actually get it done with a gubernatorial candidate that already has marriage equality in motion.