Vera and the vows

As readers here know, WWP has a general disdain for the mayor of Portland and her myopic and interest-driven approach to governing the "City That Works." But WWP gives Vera her due today for her public comments about the historic gay marriages now unfolding in Portland.

For a longtime supporter of gay and lesbian civil rights, it's not surprising that the mayor speaks so strongly on the subject. What's surprising is how eloquent she is on the topic -- more so than most gay and lesbian activists and leaders.

She says, in part:

Marriage is far more than a business arrangement.

It is a covenant of love, the promise of two people who pledge to remain faithful to each other for a lifetime.

Marriage is the place where we create a home for children - and gay men and lesbian women have children and throughout history have had children. Those children have the right to be raised within the loving confines of a marriage, not within an ambiguously named civil union.

In a world where we worry that promiscuity is rampant, why would we not embrace those who are pledging fidelity?

In a world racked with instability, why would we not embrace those who seek permanence?

In a world where we worry about a lack of commitment, why would we not embrace those building a lifetime of devotion?

You can read it here yourself. Be sure to drop her a line to thank her.