MassEquality [Hearts] Menino

The Phoenix has learned that gay-rights umbrella organization MassEquality will announce its endorsement of Thomas Menino for re-election this afternoon. Not surprising, but a good get, especially this early and forcefully.

Menino has a very, very strong record on LGBT issues -- not just policy, but genuine outreach and assistance. Michael Flaherty has a long, terrific record as well, and Sam Yoon is certainly very solid on the issues, but given Menino's history of support, the best they could have hoped for would have been for MassEquality to remain neutral.

That was certainly a possibility: this will be the organization's first municipal endorsement, and only its third non-legislative one (after Deval Patrick and Barack Obama).

But, MassEquality has clearly decided to get out early and solidly for Menino -- and given their field organization, funds, database, and operational structure, that can mean a lot.

On the other hand, it wasn't enough to get Dianne Wilkerson re-elected. So, will the JP progressives follow ME this time?