Boston's Pride Parade changed routes this year, to walk in front of the State House on Beacon Hill - less than a week before a Constitutional Convention threatens marriage equality. Two candidates, Niki Tsongas and Jamie Eldridge, had people show up to support them, as pictures in that link. Jamie Eldridge was the only candidate in the 5th, that I'm aware of, who actually went. He marched with Jarret Barrios, one of the few openly gay Massachusetts state legislators.

Jamie Eldridge also had an interesting diary he posted at Blue Mass Group. Eldridge has announced that there will be no campaigning by anyone on his staff this Thursday, during the ConCon. Instead, he and all his people are going to do all that they can to make sure the anti-marriage equality amendment is defeated. Here's the gist:

This campaign has momentum because the voters know that we need strong leadership to make progress in our country.  And the voters are learning about the campaign because volunteers are bringing it directly to them.  I ask for your help in that effort...

But not this week.

This week must be about the Constitutional Convention.  I've been a leader in the fight for marriage equality and full equal rights for all since before I was even elected to office.  I serve as what's called a division whip on the issue which means that I am the point person for the efforts to persuade a number of legislators to oppose the amendment.  I know firsthand that your efforts are making a difference, but there is more to be done this week.  Please find a way to contact your legislators and support MassEquality's actions.

I have discussed the issue with my campaign staff, interns, and lead volunteers, and they are taking this Thursday off from campaigning to join up with the efforts in Boston.  Please join us!  People will be arriving at the Statehouse at 7:00am and I promise you the show of support for equality sends a strong message to those last legislators who are struggling to make up their minds.

Pretty cool.

Lastly, LeftinLowell posted videos of the Iraq War forum between all the Democratic Candidates. Of particular note are the questions, which you can go directly to by following that link, on Don't Ask Don't Tell and allowing colleges to ban military recruiters because it violates their non-discrimination clauses because of DADT. There are some very revealing answers on that.