The choice for mayor seems clear to us and the general reluctance of our leaders to take a stand is perplexing. Neither of our region’s out politicians – Assemblymember Christine Kehoe and Deputy Mayor Toni Atkins – have taken a position on this important race. The San Diego Democratic Club this past week also heavily debated its official position in this race, and eventually chose, like Kehoe and Atkins, “no position.” Everyone seems confused by the choice – we’re just confused by the confusion.

We elect leaders to lead. We look to them to make hard decisions, to endorse the candidates who stand by our issues. Endorse! In a recent editorial we called out Mayor Dick Murphy for not taking a position on the Federal Marriage Amendment. We blasted him – calling him a coward and a spineless wimp. Well ladies, it wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t give you equal treatment – because if there is one thing this community is about – it’s equality.

Our city’s choice for mayor is between current Mayor Dick Murphy and current County Supervisor Ron Roberts. A brief outline of their positions and voting records makes it clear that, in a nutshell, Roberts has tread an uphill battle in favor of many of our issues from within a conservative, all-Republican (including himself) board of supervisors; while Murphy has also tread an uphill battle in the other direction – going against our community’s main issues from within a council supported by progressive representatives like Atkins. Roberts openly spoke against Proposition 22, the state mandate that banned gays and lesbians from marrying (and which San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom recently defied); he voted in a 3-2 decision with the Supes in favor of county domestic partner benefits; and he has maintained a dialogue and a presence in our community, including riding in many Pride parades and attending – bringing large checks – many other important community events. (He has directed $80,000 of county funding over a three-year period to Stepping Stone alone.) Murphy, meanwhile, publicly spoke out in favor of Proposition 22, has voted against needle exchange programs and the compassionate use of marijuana for medical purposes, and recently angered his LGBT advisory board by refusing to even have a much-anticipated conversation with them on the Federal Marriage Amendment (FMA), an initiative that would amend the U.S. Constitution to instate a ban on same-sex marriage. Ultimately, Mayor Murphy sent his LGBT advisory board a letter explaining that he was taking no position on the FMA.

In contrast, Roberts has come out publicly against the FMA, and he took the stand during a conversation with a reporter for the Gay & Lesbian Times. Roberts has always returned our phone calls and maintained a dialogue, in this way, with GLBT voters. Murphy doesn’t return our calls – and it’s not about being polite, it’s about an elected official’s willingness to accept questions and give responses on issues important to the GLBT constituency. (Roberts was also among the first to publicly support our city’s first out elected official in 1993 - that was Christine Kehoe.)

Voters seem to like Murphy – and from what we hear and see he is a likable guy, with strong convictions. Perhaps he even comes across as less the professional politician than Roberts and this is endearing. But the sad fact is that Murphy’s convictions seem to include a genuine, heartfelt problem with GLBT issues – he forgets that we are also his constituents and that his job is to represent us and dialogue with us. In this way, perhaps we need more of a politician. From where we stand, Mayor Murphy simply isn’t there for us – not on our issues, and not on the other end of a phone. Roberts is and has been for many years.

We understand why leaders like Deputy Mayor Atkins and Assembly member Kehoe are not taking a position on this race – they feel they are having to choose between two evils (or, if you will, two Republicans); they feel they are making a politically astute decision, playing well the political game so that they can work with the winner of the race; and perhaps they are looking to get a Democratic candidate up for mayor in four years. But these are political maneuvers. (It should be noted that openly gay District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, a Republican, has taken a position endorsing Roberts.)

Last March, Atkins put the case for abandoning politics and taking a stand much more eloquently than we can: “This is the time when we most need the support of our non-gay friends,” Atkins said in an email to the Gay & Lesbian Times outlining her reasons for rethinking her endorsement of Mayor Murphy. “Especially now, when we are in the midst of a national debate over our basic civil rights, our professed allies need to step forward and stand up on our behalf.”

So, where do you stand, Atkins and Kehoe? Politicians and political groups may have the option of taking “no position” – we voters don’t have that option. When we go into the voting booth, we have a decision to make and we need local leaders to come out from their safety zones, particularly when so much is at stake, and to take a position – one way or another. We say… true leaders lead!