Voice for Equality: Roger Ebert

September 01, 2010

Roger Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. Forbes has described him as "the most powerful pundit in America". He is known for his film review column (appearing in the Chicago Sun-Times since 1967, and later online) and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The Movies, all of which he co-hosted for a combined 23 years with Gene Siskel. Learn more here.

In the August 27, 2010 entry of his Journal in the Chicago Sun-Times, Mr. Ebert made a case for the freedom to marry by telling a personal story of his mother supporting a lesbian couple in their desire to get married back in the 1970s.  He goes on to discuss various politicians' positions on marriage equality: "Public opinion is perceived to be shifting on the topic [marriage equality]. It seems odd to me that on this issue, Barack Obama is more conservative than Dick Cheney, George Bush and my mother."

"Now the idea of gay marriage is much before us. They've been made legal in some states. They are fiercely opposed, most often on religious grounds. Politicians find it prudent to play to both sides of the street by saying they "have no opposition to civil ceremonies." I'm disappointed in Obama for taking that approach. He supports the civil rights but opposes gay marriage while citing his church's teachings. At least you can't accuse him of catering to his base. I would have preferred that he'd added that a religious marriage is a matter for each church, but that the state should make no distinction in the matter of a civil ceremony." [Link]

Freedom to Marry salutes Roger Ebert as a Voice for Equality!

If you find Mr. Ebert's support inspiring, take action by signing the Freedom to Marry Pledge.