Video: Gay Rights Group Heckles Harold Ford

Possible Senate candidate Harold Ford Jr. was booed and heckled by a gay Democratic club for his past record on same-sex marriage. Since voting twice to amend the Constitution to ban gay marriage as a Congressman in Tennessee, Ford claims he has come to support marriage equality. But that wasn't enough to win over the Stonewall Democrats in the West Village.

"I'm not ashamed to say that throughout my time in Congress there are issues that I evolved on, I matured on," said the likely Democratic rival of Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand at the raucous meeting at the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center. Though he emphasized that he is now a full supporter of marriage equality, members of the audience repeatedly interrupted his speech with chants of "You lie!" and "New York doesn't want you!" according to Queerty. Attendees also held up signs, some scribbled on the back of "Gillibrand For Senate Signs according to Gay City News, reading "Anti-Choice, Anti-Gay, Shame on Harry, Go Away!"

Here are two videos of the contentious meeting. The focus is soft, but they're still pretty interesting, especially at around 5:45 and 7:45 in the first video, and 4:55 in the second video:

Ford maintains that in order for gay marriage to win broader support, former same-sex marriage opponents like himself must alter their positions. "The reason support for marriage equality continues to go up is because people like me change our minds," he noted. NY1, which also has some video of the speech, reports that Ford is expected to decide whether or not he'll run for Senate on Sunday.

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By Ben Muessig in News on February 25, 2010 12:27 PM

Comments [rss]

NannyState

Ideological drag queen can't lip synch.

Clarice City

Is that a giant sparkling disco ball hanging from the ceiling?

"...and just to emphasize how much I like gays, I took it upon myself to hang this enormous disco ball over the podium. In fact, you can't see it from behind the podium, but I am actually wearing laether chaps today..."

Spook

It could be worse, at least he's not a Wall Street Banker.....opps,

Guest

were they just shouting 'know more lies'? if i were ford, i've been like, 'yes! of course!'

inoyourider

This guy's a joke.

Your career is deader than Patterson's buddy.

longacre

So they invited him to speak there just so they could heckle him? Kinda lame.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

they I think they don't want him to run and heckle him not to run against a candidate that is an advocate for them. I agree with them. I hope he doesn't run and make a mockery of this election.

longacre

Would have been better if they invited him and no one showed up to listen. Heckling is sooo 1900s.

leon

"broadway is harold ford

Rocko

You go ford! All this nonsense about these tooty fruity disgrace to human beings wanting the same rights as NORMAL PEOPLE is getting out of hand. These sickos choose to be queer, and then expect people to cater to their SICK UNGODLY lifestyles it is pathetic and they are setting a bad example for children who look up to their parents... BAN GAY MARRIAGE

NannyState

You're still here? Uganda is that way. *points east*

ANGRYGOD11

I'm not sure if broadway can read with comprehension and highly doubt any sense of direction.

ANGRYGOD11

You do realize Ford now claims he has come to support marriage equality after voting against it.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

time for Ford's to tap his smelly feet and head back to Kansas

Rocknrope

And he happened to change his mind after voting twice against it just as he moved to NYC, hmmmm?

This guy defines sleazy, phony politician. Send his ass back to TN where he can at least be true to his beliefs.

juliec

Seriously, this is the quintessential example of a wolf in sheep's clothing. Campaign season is the worst for these kinds of liars.

And really? He altered his position on an issue that clearly violates human rights without any reasoning or fanfare? How stupid does he think we are? How stupid are we that he's still relevant??