The board of the Stonewall Democrats issued a statement last night putting a positive and conciliatory face on Gov. Mike Beebe’s in-your-face appearance before the group recently. (He repudiated same-sex marriages and unions and, while claiming a personal belief in non-discrimination, showed no interest in correcting laws that allow such legal discrimination. He also suggested those who disagree with the discrimination he espoused needed to stop being so intolerant)
I wasn’t in much of a mood to be tolerant enough to provide space for making nice with the governor. The most popular politician in Arkansas, he thrilled advocates of inequality all over Arkansas by validating their position. But I slept on it. The statement follows. In short, it says there are signs of progress for LGBT citizens, even if Mike Beebe isn’t part of the progress. If the Stonewallers expect him to be different in the future, I’d urge them not to hold their breaths based on his recent performance.