Exactly a month ago it was mentioned by Vivian Paige, who, in addition to being a strong progressive voice in the political blogosphere of Virginia, serves on the PAC board of Virginia Partisans, that the organization had no plans to endorse during the 2009 Democratic primary.

Six days ago, it was announced that Virginia Partisans recommended equality-minded voters support Brian Moran in his campaign to be the next Governor of Virginia.

The announcements reads in part:

“Throughout his career, he’s fought alongside us– not just in his voting record, but also in the leadership positions he has taken in support of equality,” Partisans President Charley Conrad said.  “And even now, during this campaign, he continues to push pro-equality positions, despite any potential political risk. The LGBT community is standing firmly with Brian because he has always stood up for us.”

Read the full release.

So what happened? Why did Virginia Partisans break with their normal behavior to step out and recommend Moran for governor? I think the answer can be found in each primary candidates answer regarding the possibly of gay marriage in Virginia during recent Farm Team debate. The video can be found on Vivian’s blog, but here’s a transcript of each candidate’s take on the issue.

Creigh Deeds

“I’m not sure it’s a major issue for governors around the country, but it is a major issue…I grew up with a pretty fundamentalist background, but like most people I’m a work in progress. I’ve come to believe that marriage isn’t something the state should be involved with.”

Brian Moran

“Equality to me is one of the reasons I’m a Democrat. Everyone should have the same start, and treating our gay and lesbian Virginians equally is important to me; it’s a Democratic value. I’m the only one up here who stood on the floor of the House of Delegates and publicly condemned the marriage amendment, the Marshall-Newman amendment. The rights of a minority are protected in our constitution. That’s why we have a constitution. The rights of the majority are dictated by elections, but we are sworn to uphold the constitution and the constitution protects the minority, whether it be religious rights, or the right to assemble, the right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure, or the right to vote. To put discriminatory language in our constitution, to say no to civil unions, to say no to gay marriage, to say no to contacts between same-sex individuals is absolutely wrong. If I’m elected as governor, I will fight to repeal the Marshall-Newman amendment.”

Terry McAuliffe

“I believe the Republicans have tried to use this as a divisive wedge issue. They’re going to try to do it in the fall campaign. In order to change it here, you know, it has to pass two sessions of the legislature with an election in between. That’s a hard thing to try to get done. Let’s deal with the reality of what we have to do. I’ve always been for contractual rights for all individuals. We should not have any discrimination against anyone. I’ve said that as chairman of the party, and in all the things I have fought for. I believe when it relates to gay marriage, it’s a religious issue, and we ought to treat it as a religious issue. To think that I can actually change it, to go and try to deal with a constitutional amendment with what we need to do, that’s not going to happen because as I said you have to have two votes in the General Assembly with an intervening election.”

So, for Virginia Partisans and all Virginians, the choice is between a candidate who has a shaky history and would like to avoid the issue, a candidate who stands on Democratic ideals and will fight to equality, and a candidate who won’t try to because it’s too difficult. Virginia Partisans made their choice, I’ve made mine, and so have over 150 other Democratic activists throughout the state.

The choice is clear. Brian Moran will fight for equality in Virginia.

Related posts:

1. Brian Moran opens campaign office in Virginia Beach
2. Latest PPP: Deeds leads, McAuliffe and Moran stagnant
3. Peter Schmidt launches campaign in Virginia Beach
4. Bob McDonnell’s fight against equality in Virginia [Video]
5. Over 150 grassroots activists strongly support Brian Moran for Governor