Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
 Thank you for your readership and contributions. 

TODAY

Friday, March 29

Gapers Block
Search

Gapers Block on Facebook Gapers Block on Flickr Gapers Block on Twitter The Gapers Block Tumblr


The Mechanics
« Silver Projects Alexi Slightly Ahead Getting Past Daley: An Open Chicago »

IL-Senate Campaign Fri Jan 01 2010

Second Thoughts On Martin, Kirk, And Gay Rights

I may have spoken too soon on the question of whether Andy Martin's accusation of Mark Kirk being gay will hurt him. My rethinking began while I was reading James Warren's column. In it he writes:

Mr. Kirk, who is divorced, voted against a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and supported legislation to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.


I predict Kirk's voting record on gay rights will come up a lot more--perhaps everytime the topic is written about-- and whether the piece encourages or refutes Martin's accusation, Kirk's pro-gay rights voting record will be called to attention everytime. That won't play well with the conservative base which Kirk has shown he values.

(Crossposted)

 
GB store

Slats / January 2, 2010 9:57 AM

Opposing the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell is not considered pro-gay rights, as far as I can tell.

Daniel Strauss / January 3, 2010 1:43 PM

I wasn't aware that Kirk opposed the repeal of DADT. Even so, his stance on gay rights are mixed which I'm sure the conservative base isn't thrilled about.

GB store

Feature

Parents Still Steaming, but About More Than Just Boilers

By Phil Huckelberry / 2 Comments

It's now been 11 days since the carbon monoxide leak which sent over 80 Prussing Elementary School students and staff to the hospital. While officials from Chicago Public Schools have partially answered some questions, and CPS CEO Forrest Claypool has informed that he will be visiting the school to field more questions on Nov. 16, many parents remain irate at the CPS response to date. More...

Civics

Substance, Not Style, the Source of Rahm's Woes

By Ramsin Canon / 2 Comments

It's not surprising that some of Mayor Emanuel's sympathizers and supporters are confusing people's substantive disputes with the mayor as the effect of poor marketing on his part. It's exactly this insular worldview that has gotten the mayor in hot... More...

Special Series

Classroom Mechanics Oral History Project
GB store



About Mechanics

Mechanics is the politics section of Gapers Block, reflecting the diversity of viewpoints and beliefs of Chicagoans and Illinoisans. More...
Please see our submission guidelines.

Editor: Mike Ewing, mike@gapersblock.com
Mechanics staff inbox: mechanics@gapersblock.com

Archives

 

 Subscribe in a reader.

GB store

GB Store

GB Buttons $1.50

GB T-Shirt $12

I ✶ Chi T-Shirts $15