Bruce Springsteen Speaks Out for Gay Marriage
- Posted on Dec 9th 2009 10:00AM by John D. Luerssen
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Bruce Springsteen has declined an invitation to appear at the inauguration of New Jersey's Republican Governor-elect Christopher Christie next month. According to the New York Times, Springsteen, a longstanding Democrat who went to bat last year for President Barack Obama, told Christie's camp through his handlers that "he doesn't want to get involved in state politics."Despite that position, Springsteen -- a Garden State native and supporter of outgoing Governor John Corzine -- made an official statement this week in support of gay marriage in the state. "Like many of you who live in New Jersey, I've been following the progress of the marriage-equality legislation currently being considered in Trenton," Springsteen wrote on his website. "I've long believed in and have always spoken out for the rights of same sex couples and fully agree with Governor Corzine when he writes that, 'The marriage-equality issue should be recognized for what it truly is -- a civil rights issue that must be approved to assure that every citizen is treated equally under the law.' I couldn't agree more with that statement and urge those who support equal treatment for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters to let their voices be heard now."
For Christie, an ardent fan who claims to have attended 122 Springsteen shows, the rock icon's polite rejection can hardly come as a surprise. Bruce has been an outspoken liberal for decades, once objecting to Ronald Reagan's mention of his name on the 1984 campaign trail. Still that didn't stop Christie's stock-trading brother Todd from getting word to Bruce's manager Jon Landau that he would make a donation of the rocker's choosing if he performed. Instead, Christie's inauguration will feature the long running Springsteen tribute act, the B Street Band, known to play the bar mitzvah, birthday and club circuits.
In related Springsteen news, the autopsy of the rocker's cousin, Lenny Sullivan, 36, who died in October and prompted the cancellation of the E Street Band's Sprint Center concert, was released yesterday in Kansas City. It revealed that Sullivan, who was an assistant tour manager in charge of luggage for the band and crew, died from acute amphetamine and heroin intoxication.
- Filed under: News, Politics as Usual




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