Vote Against Gay Unions Sets Meeks Apart in Race

(Chicago Sun Times) — Will Sen. James Meeks’ vote against civil unions for gays hurt his chances of becoming mayor?  Gay rights activists say yes. Conservatives say it will help the minister and state senator. Meeks says he doesn’t care. This was not a political decision,” Meeks said in in interview at his campaign headquarters. “A political decision would have been to vote for civil unions so I could win the gay vote. But I wasn’t trying to win votes. I was trying to send a stronger message that I believe in the sanctity of marriage. I don’t think politicians do us a service when they vote only on what’s going to be right or good for the next election. And I wouldn’t be mayor making decisions based on what’s right or good for the next election.” Meeks was the only black legislator voting against the bill. His conservative stands on social issues such as gay rights and abortion have set him apart from the rest of the Black Caucus.

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