The Democratic primary for Georgia’s District 5 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives is a rare race where two challengers promise to be stronger gay advocates than a long-standing ally.
State Rep. “Able” Mable Thomas (D-Atlanta) and Rev. Markel Hutchins both say they can be stronger voices on gay issues than U.S. Rep. John Lewis (D-Atlanta). But the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay political group, calls Lewis a “key ally.”
The 5th Congressional District contains the largest concentration of gay voters in Georgia, including every traditional gay neighborhood in the Atlanta metro area.
All three candidates say they support banning job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity through the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, as well as expanding federal hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
All also favor repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal recognition to same-sex unions and allows states to ignore gay marriages from other states, and “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” which bars gays from serving openly in the military.
The only issue where they disagree is gay marriage. Lewis and Thomas favor allowing gay couples to marry, while Hutchins would limit marriage to heterosexual couples and allow civil unions for gay couples.
U.S. Rep. John Lewis
A Freedom Rider, Lewis still carries the scars from the beating he received on a bridge in Selma, Ala., in 1965 during the battle for African-American civil rights.
“As I’ve said, I’ve fought too long and too hard against discrimination based on color not to fight against discrimination because of sexual orientation,” Lewis said.
Last year, Lewis broke with the Georgia delegation and became the only representative from Georgia to not cast a vote in favor of the Defense of Marriage Act.
“I think it will come up and it will have my strongest possible opposition,” Lewis said of the attempt to re-write the Constitution to ban gay marriage.
Lewis is the only member of the U.S. House that the Human Rights Campaign can count on for every vote on every issue, according to Allison Herwitt, HRC legislative director.
“He speaks on every bill, he lobbies behind the scenes, he‘s very key, very important,” Herwitt said.
Lewis has held his post since 1986 and in that time has never been seriously challenged. Political wisdom holds that Lewis could win the race without needing a runoff, something Lewis hopes to avoid.
“I’m very hopeful and very optimistic that we will prevail without a runoff. I think the people, and especially in the gay community, know where I stand,” he said.
'Able' Mable Thomas
Eighteen years younger than Lewis, Thomas touts her record on gay issues and argues that she would be an even better advocate in Washington. She likened her situation to when Cathy Woolard, a lesbian, ousted gay-friendly Mary Davis for her seat on the Atlanta City Council.
Mable Thomas (photo courtesy Thomas)
“Do you remember Mary Davis? She was excellent on the gay issues, but people believed it was time for a change… What I’m saying is I bring something to the table over and above what the constituents expect,” Thomas said. “There are more issues that affect the gay community than what the HRC addresses.”
During Thomas’ time on the Atlanta City Council, it passed domestic partnership benefits for city workers. Elected to the state House in 2003, she was one of 47 representatives to vote against the 2004 constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage both times it reached the House floor.
“I will vote the correct way but also be a vocal advocate on gay issues,” she said, noting a lack of positive gay legislation moving forward. “Unless someone is leading these things are put on the back burner and nothing gets done.”
While in the state House, Thomas supported funding trauma care, AIDS spending and sponsored a bill requiring insurance providers to pay for pap smears, mammograms and colon cancer screening.
“I have a track record too, and it’s a good one,” she said.
Markel Hutchins
The youngest in the race at 31, Hutchins believes it is time for a new generation of leaders to step forward.
“I think at some point when you find candidates who are equally passionate about protecting the rights of gay, lesbian and transgender people, we have to ask ourselves can we afford to continue to celebrate the past, or do we invest in the future,” Hutchins said.
Hutchins does not support gay marriage as a state recognized entity, but supports civil unions and vowed to fight any Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. He said that his life’s work as a pastor and stance on gay marriage should not frighten away gay voters.
“While Reverend is in front of my name, it will be Representative Reverend and not Reverend Representative,” Hutchins said. “I don’t think anyone should be less than clear that I will be out front, I’ll be visible, I’ll be vocal on the issues that are important to the gay, lesbian and transgender community. I will not sit idly by. I will advocate vocally, openly and aggressively as I have on other issues for other communities.”
Hutchins said there has not been positive gay legislation moving through a Democratic-controlled House and Senate. He said during his first term he would work to either sponsor or support a bill to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
“I will proffer legislation that will protect the gay and lesbian community, and Congressman Lewis has not done that,” Hutchins said. “Many people in the gay community have considered him an ally, and I would agree that he is, but a representative’s job is to create legislation and he has not done that.”
OTHER CONTESTED GA. CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARIES
• District 8: Freshman lawmaker Rep. Jim Marshall (D-Macon) voted against ENDA and for expanded hate crimes legislation. He faces a challenge from teacher Robert Nowak (D-Macon) as Democrats aim to keep the seat. Herwitt said Marshall is one of the Democrats who will side with HRC occasionally, but needs to be lobbied each time.
• District 10: Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens) and primary challenger Barry Fleming (R-Augusta) have made “defending traditional marriage” a campaign issue. Both tout their efforts to restrict gay rights as qualifications for off
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