Tuesday, July 16, 2013

VIDEO: Carl DeMaio’s Unwelcome Reception at San Diego Pride


Parades are usually fun events with cheering crowds and smiling participants, but not for Carl DeMaio at last year’s San Diego Pride Parade. While DeMaio marched in the LGBT community’s largest celebration, crowds booed to let him know that his refusal to stand up for fundamental rights was completely unacceptable.

To see just what kind of reception DeMaio received, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee released a video of recordings from last year’s Pride Parade.
 
 “It’s no surprise that the LGBT community aggressively booed Carl DeMaio,” said Matt Inzeo of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “LGBT Americans have fought hard to gain full equality, but Carl DeMaio has repeatedly refused to join in that struggle. With full equality within reach but requiring more work, Carl DeMaio is the absolute wrong person to look to for help.”

BACKGROUND

Promised Gay Rights Would Not be a Priority for Him. In 2012, during his mayoral campaign, DeMaio “repeatedly insisted that gay rights will not be a priority for him as Mayor.” [Associated Press, 11/06/12]

Accepted Campaign Contributions from Backers of Proposition 8. In 2012, during his mayoral bid, DeMaio accepted campaign contributions and support from backers of Proposition 8, the 2008 initiative that banned same-sex marriage in California. [San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/19/12]

DeMaio Accepted Campaign Money and Endorsements from Anti-Gay Rights Activists. In 2012, DeMaio accepted campaign money and endorsements from anti-gay activists including Charles LiMandri, an attorney for the National Organization of Marriage in California Proposition 8 battles, Roger Hedgecock, a public voice against gay rights, and Brian Caster, one of the biggest donors to California Proposition 8. [San Diego CityBeat, 5/21/12]

Booed at Various LGBT Events During Mayoral Campaign. In 2012, “during the mayoral campaign, DeMaio has been booed at various LGBT-centric events, including a mayoral debate in Hillcrest, a rainbow flag-raising ceremony for the community and the annual Pride parade in which he walked alongside his longtime partner.” [San Diego Union-Tribune, 9/19/12

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