Johnson's comment on same-sex marriage riles Sacramento's gay and lesbian community

Mayoral challenger Kevin Johnson has riled Sacramento's gay community with his statement at a televised candidate forum that "marriage is between a man and a woman."

"It hit me like a brick," said Gretchen Bender, vice-president of the Sacramento County Board of Education and the first open lesbian elected to public office in the county. "I've been working with Kevin on this issue. But, based on that comment at the forum, I now think he is acting on religious grounds, and he is not ready to lead this city."

Bender and a half-dozen other local gay and lesbian leaders held a news conference Thursday to express their concern about Johnson's statement.

The other six candidates in the race, including Mayor Heather Fargo, each answered "yes" when asked for a one-word answer on whether they support gay marriage. The question was posed Wednesday evening during a "lightning round" at a televised forum sponsored by The Bee, News10 and the California Museum.

The Johnson campaign issued a statement Thursday expanding on his one-sentence response from the night before.

"My religion does not advocate same-sex marriage," Johnson said. "However, I would never thrust my personal beliefs onto others, as I strongly believe that everyone is born equally and entitled to their own ideas and ideals."

"I fully support and will defend the present laws of California recognizing the rights and obligations of same-sex couples in civil unions," Johnson said in the statement. "I also support equal benefits such as insurance and leave for same-sex couples. The issue of marriage is presently before the California Supreme Court, and I will uphold the law as the court makes its decision."

Johnson went on to say that he has never tolerated discrimination or harassment of any kind: "Sacramento needs to become a city where everyone is safe, protected and treated equally."

Bender said she wasn't impressed by Johnson's elaboration. "He's giving a political answer to a moral question," she said.

She said she has not endorsed a mayoral candidate, adding that she will probably make up her mind on election day, June 3.

"What I do know is that Sacramento is a community that is rich with diversity," she said. "We are struggling to raise families and dealing with tough economic times, and we have a responsibility to elect a leader that not just tolerates but respects the diversity in this community."

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