Not to steal a page from the Governator, but we were considering calling Mayor Dick Murphy a “girlie man” to start this editorial off, until some of the women around the office took offense to being lumped into the same category as Dick.

The thing is, Murphy has finally proven to San Diego what a coward and spineless wimp he is by not choosing a side on one of the most contentious issues in American politics today, the Federal Marriage Amendment. (See the story on page 14 of this issue.) The FMA, as it is called, seeks to write discrimination against a specific group of citizens into the U.S. Constitution. Of course it’s understandable that we would want our illustrious mayor to take a side on the debate, and that is exactly what Murphy’s advisory board to the GLBT community asked him to do at their April 24 meeting.

After three long months of no doubt talking with his political advisors, confidants and pollsters, Murphy remained tight lipped. Then, on the eve of Pride, Mayor Murphy sat down, took a deep breath and wrote (well, most likely dictated) this heartfelt response to the advisory board, delivered to them on the day of the Spirit of Stonewall Rally:

“After hearing what others also had to say and much thought, I wanted you to know that I am taking no position on the Federal Marriage Amendment – neither in support or opposition. I understand your views on this amendment. Please know that my decision in no way diminishes my respect and appreciation for the LGBT community.”

Really. Bad. Timing. Dick.

You cannot expect anyone to believe that you respect them when you say that your official position on their civil rights is “no position.”

What a wimp!

And for all of the conservative fans out there who read Gay & Lesbian Times editorials (yes, we are talking about you, Rick Roberts and Rodger Hedgecock, because we know you two sly dogs like to keep up on what we homosexuals talk about), we hope you are mad as hell about this and agree with us that Murphy is indeed a spineless coward. Since he doesn’t side with us on this issue, maybe you should call on him and see if he’ll side with you, because the “sacred institution of marriage” and the job security of Elvis-impersonating ministers in Las Vegas (and really, Elvis impersonating ministers everywhere) depends on it.

All we can think is maybe that’s not how you really feel, Dick. Maybe, deep down inside, the judge in you that swore to uphold the Constitution knows what a hateful thing this amendment is and that it goes against everything that you were sworn to protect. But then, that would mean that you’re just playing politics with our civil rights because you want to look like a real Republican leader. Listen up Dick: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rudy Giuliani, John McCain and William F. Buckley are real Republican leaders and share beliefs on the FMA similar to your competition in the mayoral race, County Supervisor Ron Roberts, who has said, on the record, “Amending the Constitution should not be done to reflect opinion of the day, nor to target one group of people.”

Good thing we’re just speculating on your motives, Dick. Because if this is the case, that wouldn’t make you a wimp, spineless coward or a wuss… that would make you a jackass.

Leaders are elected to make tough decisions. Or in this case, one that is not so tough. Murphy has nothing to lose by opposing the FMA and everything to gain (translation: gay votes). Since Roberts already opposes it, Murphy could make it a moot point by simply agreeing that the FMA is wrong. But given his past voting record on our issues, why should his hesitance to support us surprise us?

While very proud of the fact that he has appointed 23 members of the GLBT community to city boards and commissions during his tenure, and while that might be enough to garner him support from those 23 in the November mayoral election, Murphy needs to start proving himself to the rest of us by either taking a stand for or against our basic civil rights.

Because right now, Dick, we’re confused. You speak at the Spirit of Stonewall Rally and issue a proclamation of your support of Pride, yet you’ve taken “no position” on the FMA and want to defend the Boy Scouts’ lease in Balboa Park even though a federal court ruled that it’s unconstitutional because it’s discriminatory. Let’s not even get into how you voted against needle exchange programs and the compassionate use of medical marijuana.

Stop being a wimp. For once in your career, take a stand on a controversial issue and either show the GLBT community that you can be the kind of leader who deserves our votes or come out of your conservative closet. All you’re doing right now is losing votes, and a hell of a lot of respect, from both sides.