Gov. gets gay in Pittsburgh, PA

Yay.

by Joel Lawson, contributing from D.C.

Photo by John Beale, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

As a former Pittsburgher trapped inside the beltway, I'm always asked to serve as some sort of mystic, to help read the incredibly bizarre cards that represent my home state's politics. Murtha as the leading anti-war voice? I'm still sorting that one out for people. But years of political work couldn't prepare me to analyze this: the perhaps dangerously heterosexual Gov. Ed Rendell proclaiming his wish for gay marriage someday in the keystone state. While wearing a pride flag in his breast pocket. While handing out beads. At Gay Pride Fest last Saturday. In Pittsburgh. Lynn Swann may be familiar with the fit of a tutu, but I'll take our gruff lovable bulldog of a gov, thank you. While most governors right now are hedging their language, especially if presiding over a state engulfed in a hot potato debate over gay marriage, Rendell's just puttin' it out there. I left the 'burgh for pinker pastures long ago. Who knows, maybe that part of the diaspora will be taken off autopilot some day soon...