A NOM Connection
Democratic candidate Alexander has received support from anti-marriage equality advocates
Leo Alexander is on the ballot in the Democratic primary for District mayor, although his campaign did not respond to a request for information about his views on LGBT issues in time for full inclusion in this week’s issue.
Nicole Lemon, a spokeswoman for Alexander, spoke briefly with Metro Weekly on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 10, about Alexander’s candidacy.
Asked if he opposed the District’s Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, Lemon demurred, saying, ”He just wished it was a referendum in order for the people to decide the law.”
Explaining further, she added, ”He’s not saying that he’s against gay marriage; that’s not his stance. He was just concerned about the process.”
Despite that, Alexander received a $1,950 donation from the National Organization for Marriage on Jan. 29, 2010, and has support from Bishop Harry Jackson, who opposes marriage equality and was behind multiple legal attempts to stop the marriage law from going into effect. None were successful.
On June 14, Bob Summersgill wrote at the GLAA Forum, ”NOM’s candidate is Leo Alexander, an advocate for limiting civil liberties for everyone.” GLAA also noted that NOM reported to the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics that it has spent more than $60,000 on ”flyer distribution” opposing, among others, both of Alexander’s opponents in the Democratic primary – Mayor Adrian Fenty and Council Chairman Vincent Gray.
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