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The Democratic Candidates on Gay Rights
By Bill | November 8, 2007 | Email This Post
Today I thought I’d take a look at where the Democratic candidates stand on the issue of LGBT rights. Analyzing this or any other issue is a bit tough, since the candidates tend to get the question phrased in slightly different ways, contexts, etc, so it’s tough to compare apples to apples, but I think the below is an honest representation of where they stand.
I’ll also be doing one of these for the Republican candidates on the same issue here in a bit.
One note: the column about Gay Marriage: there’s only a yes there if the candidate is explicitly for full marriage rights for same-sex couples. Being in favor of civil unions (they pretty much all will go that far) isn’t the same thing and gets marked as a “no.”
| Candidate | LGBT section on web site? | Against workplace discrimination? | Repeal don’t ask, don’t tell? | Adoption rights | Gay Marriage? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Biden | Sort of1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Sort of2 |
| Hillary Clinton | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Chris Dodd | Yes | Yes | Yes | ?? | No |
| John Edwards | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Mike Gravel | Sort of3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dennis Kucinich | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Barack Obama | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Bill Richardson | Yes | Yes | Yes | ?? | No |
1Biden includes LGBT issues as part of his “Ending 21st Century Discrimination” section.
2Biden voted for the 1996 Defense of Marriage act, which prohibited same sex marriage. However, he has said that gay marriage is probably inevitable, and “I don’t know why we should be frightened of that.”
3Gravel’s just got one paragraph, but then all his site has for anything is a paragraph.
Some relevant notes:
Joe Biden:
As noted above, Biden voted for the 1996 Defense of Marriage act, which prohibited same sex marriage. However, he has said that gay marriage is probably inevitable, and “I don’t know why we should be frightened of that.”
Hillary Clinton:
Voted against a federal marriage amendment that would have limited marriage to heterosexual couples, but also told the New York Daily News that “Marriage has got historic, religious and moral content that goes back to the beginning of time, and I think a marriage is as a marriage always has been, between a man and a woman.” She does favor civil unions or domestic partnerships, however.
Chris Dodd:
Says that “I strongly believe that all Americans should have equal rights regardless of their sexual orientation, and as a United States Senator, I have been working to make that a reality for over 30 years…. I wish every American, when considering these issues, would think about this as a personal matter affecting their own family not an esoteric issue affecting “others”. Opposes a federal amendment defining marriage because “marriage is a states’ issue.” Dodd has also said that while he favors legal recognition of same-sex unions, he is “not comfortable” applying the term marriage to them.
John Edwards:
“I am against the president’s constitutional amendment on gay marriage…I don’t personally support gay marriage myself. My position has always been that it’s for the states to decide.”
Mike Gravel:
The entire paragraph from Gravel’s web site: “Senator Gravel supports same-sex marriage and opposes the Defense of Marriage Act. He also strongly opposes the military’s “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” legislation on the grounds that it is unconstitutional.”
Dennis Kucinich:
Arguably the candidate who is most sympathetic across the board with issues that are viewed as LGBT-oriented. “I believe that equality of opportunity should be afforded to all Americans regardless of race, color, creed or sexual orientation. For that reason I support the right of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons to have the full protections and rights afforded under civil law including the right to marry the person of their choice.”
Barack Obama:
Supports civil unions for homosexuals, saying “… a set of basic rights would allow them to experience their relationship and live their lives in a way that doesn’t cause discrimination. I think it is the right balance to strike in this society.” Also told the Chicago Tribune: “I’m a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman.”
Bill Richardson:
“Gay and lesbian families deserve respect, and as President, Bill Richardson will take a principled stand to fight for it. He strongly believes that we don’t need constitutional amendments designed to exclude supportive, devoted couples. We need to extend the rights due to all of us as Americans.”
There you have it! Read, digest, and use the information to cast an informed vote as you see fit.
Topics: LGBT rights |