Good Point

How much longer can we continue to deny basic rights to good people - our own citizens? AndrewSullivan.com points to a recent post on BoifromTroi on clear iniquity and discrimination against gay couples in campaign finance laws because gay candidates are not allowed legal spouses, who can donate, by transferring property tax-free, unlimited amounts to their spouse's campaigns. Reprinted below is the complete post:

Elections, Gays and Marriage

Yesterday, I attended a fundraiser for Bill Rosendahl, a candidate for Los Angeles' 11th City Council District. The event was well attended, with L.A. City Councilman Eric Garcetti, West Hollywood City Councilman Jeff Prang, Assembly District 42 GOP Central Committee Chairman Paul Fredrix and columnist Jill Stewart were among the many luminaries.

During the fundraising pitch, Rosendahl pointed out [an advantage] that his opponent--Flora Gail Krisiloff--has of contributing to her campaign when she fell behind in the fundraising race. Unlike the rest of us, Candidates' spouses can contribute up to $25,000 in a Local campaign and unlimited sums in Federal and State races. A spouse can draw upon the wealth of their husband or wife because property may be transferred between the two without taxation--something which is not allowed for gay and lesbian couples.

Which raises one important issue when it comes to equal marriage rights. Are gays' and lesbians' ability to seek and hold public office being limited by our inability to marry? If you ask me, the case is pretty simple.

Gays and lesbians' fundraising abilities are limited because we are denied the right to marry. That makes it harder for us to hold public office. As the Supreme Court has ruled, money is speech and under McCain-Feingold and local election laws governing campaign finance, gays and lesbians' speech rights are, comparatively, limited.