Baldwin hails marriage ruling

Representative Tammy Baldwin, the only out lesbian in Congress, was in her element Saturday, May 31, surrounded by hundreds of women - and some men - at the National Center for Lesbian Rights' annual gala at the Metreon. Earlier in the evening, she had addressed the organization's sold-out dinner for corporate donors and others, but the party in downtown San Francisco was for everyone else, and everyone was happy.

The recent California Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriage was on people's mind; NCLR has played a key role in the successful litigation, along with the San Francisco City Attorney's office and other lawyers, and Executive Director Kate Kendell urged those in attendance to donate to help fight the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment that this week qualified for the November ballot.

"It's a new day, baby," Kendell told the crowd during her remarks, "and we're not going back. The forces of evil are thinking that November 4 is going to be their day - it's going to be their D-Day. We'll wake up on November 5 and they're done and we're moving on."

Baldwin, a Wisconsin Democrat, was equally ecstatic with the California marriage decision. In an interview with the Bay Area Reporter, she spoke about marriage equality and how important it is to the community.

"I was in a committee hearing," Baldwin said when asked where she was on May 15 when she heard about the California court ruling. "I have a BlackBerry and I was getting lots of e-mail. I couldn't yell 'hooray,' but I was very excited."

Baldwin said that she sees the decision as the beginning of a new era in the fight for equal rights.

"The California marriage decision is a landmark in many ways," she said, noting that the state is the most populous. Combine that with New York Governor David Paterson's recent announcement that his state's various departments take steps to recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere (including those from California) and it signifies change.

"The numbers will transform America," Baldwin said of the expected rush of same-sex weddings this summer in the Golden State. "It won't be overnight, but it is clearly a new day."

"That said, my state passed a constitutional amendment [banning same-sex marriage] and those will be long term battles to repeal. It is going to take time and education."

Another issue that is important to Baldwin that also will take time and education is passage in Congress of an Employment Non-Discrimination Act that includes gender identity. Last year Congress passed ENDA, but the version only included job protection based on sexual orientation. Baldwin led the fight for an inclusive ENDA, going up against powerful gay Congressman Barney Frank (D-Massachusetts), who was pushing for the version that passed.

Asked if she was at odds with Frank regarding the ENDA brouhaha, Baldwin was diplomatic.

"All the Democratic leadership supports" an inclusive ENDA, she said, but there were "strong strategic and tactical differences" during the fight last fall.

It is unlikely any version of ENDA will land on the president's desk this year, and Baldwin thinks that the time remaining in this session of Congress can be used to "do a lot of member education" around the need for an inclusive ENDA.

Asked specifically what type of education is needed, Baldwin was clear that transgender people need to tell their personal stories and that members of Congress need to "hear the struggles transgender people face and why an inclusive bill is critical."

Additionally, she said that members who did support the inclusive version last year need to hear from constituents that the support "was noted and appreciated, and that the community will support them in turn."

As of last weekend, Baldwin was still supporting Senator Hillary Clinton for president. She endorsed Clinton about a year ago, she said. "She's been very clear that she's in the race until all Democrats have an opportunity [to vote] in the primaries. I absolutely support her decision to be in the race."

Baldwin said that chief among the reasons for her support is Clinton's health care plan.

But she said that she is unhappy that both Clinton and Barack Obama do not support same-sex marriage. Both have stated they support civil unions.

"I find that lack of support for full marriage rights disappointing," she said, adding that "both Obama and Clinton remain open to having us make our case to them."

In terms of her own political future, Baldwin is optimistic. She is up for re-election in November, along with all House members, and so far, it's been quiet in terms of any organized opposition. In previous election cycles, opponents have usually emerged by now, and she does expect someone to run against her. The Wisconsin primary for congressional races is in September; like California, the state had its presidential primary in February.