Rainbow Times Endorses Tierney and Warren

The Rainbow Times, an LGBT New England newspaper, has endorsed Congressman John Tierney for reelection to the House and Elizabeth Warren for Senate.

The publication cited Tierney's longtime support for LGBT rights, opposition to the Defense of Marriage Act and co-sposorship of the Uniting American Families Act.

"Congressman Tierney is a longtime, proven and dependable ally, an ardent backer of gay rights and full equality, who has earned LGBT support," the editorial reads. "He has been there for us on more than one occasion. This time, he needs us to be there for him on Election Day."

The publication gave kudos to Republican challenger Richard Tisei, an openly gay former State Senate minority leader who supports LGBT rights as well.

"A socially progressive Republican, who is not a Tea Partier, Tisei certainly fits that bill, voicing support for LGBT equality across the board, much along the same lines as Tierney."

But the editorial staff cited Tisei's recruitment by Republican leadership and likely support of maintaining that majority leadership as reason enough not to support him.

"If elected, and the GOP retains control of the House, is there any doubt that Tisei would not vote to reinstate Speaker John Boehner, thereby enabling the Republican Party’s Young Guns and Tea Party extremists to advance their emphatically hostile anti-gay agenda?"

In the Senate race, the editorial staff voiced enthusiastic support for Warren over Sen. Scott Brown.

"Warren not only favors repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), but also promises to champion gay rights in the Senate. Recently at the Boston HRC fundraiser and gala, she pledged to be a “loud voice,” a true leader," the editorial reads. "However, as state lawmaker, Brown voted repeatedly during Constitutional Conventions to put same-sex marriage rights on the ballot. At the same time, he made derogatory remarks about gay and lesbian parents, calling into question their suitability as gay dads and lesbian mothers."

In what should be no surprise, the publication also endorsed President Obama for reelection.