Last edited Mon Mar 5, 2012, 10:02 AM - Edit history (1)

In 2004, he supported civil unions with all the federal rights of marriage - and spoke of asking for the legislation that would be needed to give all marriage rights to civil unions. Though this was further than any past nominee, it was not marriage equality. In 2008, there was an answer given at a Tufts speech, asked by a poster on Blue Mass, where Kerry did eventually agree that he was for marriage equality. This after a long answer where he stressed that his 2004 position was similar in that he did support equality of rights. ( http://bluemassgroup.com/2008/10/john-kerry-finally-supports-marriage-equality-on-record-hooray/ )

About a year ago, in an oped, he wrote of changing his position. http://articles.boston.com/2011-07-10/bostonglobe/29758838_1_gay-marriage-civil-unions-marriage-equality

I think Kerry is more religious than the average Senator and it was not thought possible to be 100% behind gay marriage and win the Presidency in 2004. Even in 2008, the younger, non-Catholic Obama took a position similar to Kerry's 2004 position - and, in fact, spoke less explicitly about the need for equal rights. I have never seen a faster change in societal values than I have seen on gay marriage. Support has grown from well under 50% to above 50% in 8 years. I am not suggesting that people's positions should be poll driven, but there is sometimes something to be said for taking a position that could find sufficient support and is a major step beyond the status quo than to support something that will fail.

As to Kerry, it is nice that he is now in a place where he can speak without nuance for equality.