Another name has been added to the list of senators who signed a petition asking the Supreme Court to declare the law that prohibits gay marriage unconstitutional.
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., made a statement to the Tampa Bay Times last week, declaring his decision to reverse his opposition to gay marriage and sign his name to support the petition.
“Thus, to discriminate against one class and not the other is wrong for me. If we are endowed by our creator with rights, then why shouldn’t those be attainable by gays and lesbians?” he said in a statement.
Nelson could not be reached for further comment on his statement,.
Lauren B. Hannahs, director of LGBT Affairs at UF, said that in the push for same-sex marriage, Nelson’s decision helps.
“I think someone coming from a conservative state like Florida, having been a successful legislator, shows that there are people from those backgrounds that can actually be on the side of LGBT rights,” she said.
Mallory Wells, public policy director of Equality Florida, agreed and said that because Nelson is a moderate democrat, it shows people from all backgrounds are in favor of supporting marriage equality.
“He’s joined a growing number of Americans from all political backgrounds in the belief that gay and lesbians should be treated equally,” she said. “It’s important that our elected leaders that reflect reality and take civil leadership roles on civil rights like gay marriage.
Hannahs added that Nelson’s decision to sign the petition, instead of just vocalizing his support, is important.
“I think it’s one thing to say you support it, and there’s another to actually do something about it,” she said. “ I think there’s a little more teeth to what he’s saying because he did put his name down.”
