.
"I think that any American ought to be able to serve their country if they are physically qualified and able," Kerry said. "There were gay people who served in Vietnam. There were gay people who served in World War II, Korea and World War I " and great acts of heroism have been performed by people who are gay. .
"The terrorists did not discriminate on that day; they just sought to murder Americans. On United's flight 93 Mark Bingham stood up to resist the hijackers and joined with passengers to stop the plane from crashing into the White House or the Capitol. .
"New York fire chaplain Mychal Judge was killed by falling debris while he ministered to a fallen colleague. .
"I believe it's time to remind politicians quick to give speeches about the heroes of 9/11 that these men were heroes - heroes who happened to be gay. And those who were helped or saved that day did not ask whether their rescuer was straight or gay; for in that time we were what we always should be - one America."".
The rights of minorities, particularly gay rights, have been an issue and a struggle for quite some time, Kerry said in a speech to the Human Rights Campaign. .
"The issue is as new as a current United States Senator's unacceptable invocation of prejudice against gay men and lesbians - and as old as the still unfinished pledge of equality with which this nation began,"" Kerry said. .
"In the America in which I believe, and in the country I envision and hope to lead, your community is seen and valued as an invaluable part of our national community. And what binds that community together - not color surely, or gender or a single faith or sexual orientation - what gives form and shape and soul to the American mosaic is the call to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness - with equal justice for all."".
However, Kerry's views on gay and lesbian marriages differ greatly from his stand on other gay rights, according to his speech made in the Human Rights Campaign forum.
