Round and round and round he goes, where does Sandoval stand? Nobody knows.

(Laura Martin) – In September 2009 Republican candidate for governor, Brian Sandoval, told the Las Vegas Sun he would’ve signed his name to Nevada Senate Bill 283; the landmark bill offering gay and straight couples limited guaranteed benefits associated with marriage.

However, as Elizabeth Crum of the Nevada News Bureau pointed out, in 2002 he signed the Coalition for the Protection of Marriage’s “Marriage Protection Pledge”.

As reported by Crum:

“The Marriage Protection Pledge signed by Sandoval in 2002 states that “awarding spousal equivalent rights to non-married couples defeats the civil purpose of marriage” and that “various “domestic partnership,” “civil union,” or “reciprocal beneficiary relationship” benefits belong exclusively to marriage”.

The pledge closes with a promise to “oppose any endorsement of marriage imitations, including “domestic partnerships,” “civil unions,” reciprocal beneficiary relationships,” or any similar arrangement.”

Now Sandoval claims he forgot he signed the pledge. But he remembers enough to know that his position hasn’t changed. He believes marriage should be between a man and woman, and in 2002 he assumed Domestic Partnerships were just marriage-lite. Sandoval claims the benefits described in the pledge he signed in 2002 are not the same as the benefits in SB283; even though, they are.

Brian Sandoval signed a pledge (though he now claims he doesn’t sign pledges) against Domestic Partnerships, without knowing what they are and what having those rights meant. He went back on his word less than eight years later. Then when asked about the pledge, he claims he forgot he signed it.

It might be fair to assume that Sandoval has the pro and con of every issue Nevadans face on a roulette wheel, and each morning he takes it for a spin. When the wheel stops, Brian will know where he stands on the issues for that day.

It’s one thing to gamble in a casino, but do you really want Brian Sandoval in Carson City, playing games with your rights?

(Ms. Martin is Communications Director for the Stonewall Democrats of Southern Nevada)