The Bravest Man In America

San Diego's Republican Mayor Jerry Sanders, who decided, against the popular opinion of his party and probably his city, that he will endorse San Diego's City Council resolution calling for the legalization of gay marriage in California.

Previously opposed to gay marriage, but supportive of civil unions, Mayor Sanders gave an emotional press conference that may very well symbolize the change in opinion of the nation as a whole. Sanders, choking back tears, said;

"I've decided to lead with my heart. . . to take a stand on behalf of equality and social justice...I just cannot bring myself to tell an entire group of people in our community that they were less important, less worthy, or less deserving of the rights and responsibilities of marriage than anyone else simply because of their orientation."

Sanders' daughter, Lisa, is a lesbian and Sanders claims she and her parter is a big reason why he changed this mind on the issue;

"In the end, I could not look any of them in the face and tell them that their relationships—their very lives—were any less meaningful than the marriage that I share with my wife Rana,"

I really do believe the day is coming that this will become a non-issue. The day is coming when gays will be given the same legal rights. A majority of the country still opposes it, and it may take a decade or two to change that, but all we need to do is point to places like Belgium, Canada, Spain, South Africa and Massachusetts, where gay marriage is legal and society has not crumbled to the ground.

It's hard to accept change, especially something as massively new and different as gay marriage. Americans don't handle differences and changes very well, it takes time, but thanks to men like Jerry Sanders, who decided to follow his heart and not his political party, we're on that road.

Sanders may loose the next election because of it, but he'll loose gracefully and bravely.