Handy Guide of Barack Obama's support for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Issues

[zulchzulu]

Some have wondered about Barack Obama's support for the LGBT community and have even gravitated to supporting Hillary Clinton for what I will say is false information or lack of information on this issues. This OP clearly shows Obama's record, some endorsments, important statements and questions and information regarding the Hillary Clinton campaign supporting homophobic legislation and having known homophobes on her web site and on her payroll.

Let's talk about Donnie McClurkin, who performed at one concert in Colombia, South Carolina where Obama was not present at the event. Obama did give a statement about McClurkin's views:

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country.

I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

Various gay publications have endorsed Obama.

The nation needs to hear our views on how American politics can accommodate new voices in the mix.

Judged by that measure and taking full stock of how the Democratic nomination contest has unfolded, we believe the choice is clear.

Gay City New endorses Barack Obama.

http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

Another great endorsement:

Barack’s commitment to LGBT rights is also manifest in his record of accomplishment, which extends throughout his 11 years in public office on every issue of concern to our community. From relationships and families to workplace discrimination to bold policies on HIV/AIDS, the Senator’s commitment is unmatched by any candidate. He has proven that he has the character to stand up for principle when the going gets tough.

Barack has supported the complete, unqualified repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act since he was a candidate for Senate. He has taken stronger positions on dismantling Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and on fully inclusive workplace protections than any candidate in this race. Barack is a strong supporter of every major piece of LGBT legislation in Congress today, from fair tax treatment and equal immigration rights to domestic partner benefits for federal workers. In contrast to Barack’s leadership, we find it troubling that Sen. Hillary Clinton refuses to call for the full repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, legislation that was signed into law by then-President Clinton.

In Illinois, Obama sponsored a fully inclusive anti-discrimination law that included both sexual orientation and gender identity. A subsequent version of that bill was later enacted as the Illinois Human Rights Act, now one of the most progressive laws of its kind in the country. The U.S. House of Representatives was not able to pass a bill that included gender identity. Barack helped make it happen in Illinois.
 
FIGHTING THE SPREAD of HIV and securing fully funded, accessible treatment for people with HIV or AIDS have always been top priorities for Obama. He understands that the fight against HIV/AIDS requires an approach that is bold enough to set national standards and benchmarks for progress and deep enough to address the forces of poverty, racism, homophobia and unequal access to health care that all contribute to the spread of the disease. Barack has sponsored the Microbicide Development Act to fund research critical to combating HIV/AIDS in the United States and around the world.  He spoke out on World AIDS Day to an audience of evangelical leaders at Saddleback Church, publicly disagreeing with the leaders in attendance who opposed condom distribution. Obama has always insisted that our approach to HIV/AIDS be guided by the expertise of scientists, health-care professionals and direct service providers who know what works, rather than by politics and ideology.

In Illinois, Barack worked to enact a law that authorizes licensed pharmacists to provide clean needles in small, controlled numbers, a reform that is credited with achieving dramatic declines in the spread of HIV among intravenous drug users. In Congress, he has supported efforts to lift the ban on federal funding for regulated needle exchange programs that are proven to work in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Experience demonstrates that these programs save lives and protect the public without promoting illegal drug use, but getting them passed requires political courage. Barack has shown that courage.
 
This race presents a historic opportunity: the opportunity to elect a candidate who has stood up for LGBT equality boldly and courageously for his entire career in public office. His singular ability to inspire unity and support across communities is why we support Barack Obama. In 2008, we deserve nothing less.

http://www.nyblade.com/2008/1-25/viewpoint/opinion/1204OpEdObama.cfm

More on Obama's support for LGBT rights:

“Most of us do believe that gay couples should be able to visit each other in the hospital and share health care benefits; most of us do believe that they should be treated with dignity and have their privacy respected by the federal government.”

More on Obama's GLBT record:

Expand Hate Crimes Statutes:
In 2004, crimes against homosexuals constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to reach violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical disability. As a state senator, Obama passed tough legislation that made hate crimes and conspiracy to commit them against the law.

Fight Workplace Discrimination:
Barack Obama believes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation. While an increasing number of employers have extended benefits to their employees’ domestic partners, discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace occurs with no federal legal remedy. Obama also sponsored and passed legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Promote Gay and Lesbian Rights:
Barack Obama supported legislation in the Illinois State Senate to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation in housing and public accommodations.

Support Full Civil Unions:
Barack Obama supports civil unions that give gay couples full rights, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency, the right to equal health insurance and other employment benefits currently extended to traditional married couples, and the same property rights as anyone else.

Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage:
Barack Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment in 2006 which would have defined marriage as between a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried couples. “We are better than this. And we certainly owe the American people more than this. I know that this amendment will fail, and when it does, I hope we can start discussing issues and offering proposals that will actually improve the lives of most Americans.” (Barack Obama on the Senate floor regarding the Federal Marriage Amendment, June 5, 2006)

Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell:
Barack Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in consultation with military commanders. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited. The U.S. government has spent millions of dollars replacing troops kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. Additionally, more than 300 Paid for by Obama for America language experts have been fired under this policy, including more than 50 who are fluent in Arabic. Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and ensure it helps accomplish our national defense goals.

Expand Adoption Rights.
Barack Obama believes that homosexuals should have the same adoption rights as heterosexuals.

Fight AIDS Worldwide:
There are 40 million people across the planet infected with HIV/AIDS. Every day, AIDS kills 8,000 and HIV infects 6,000 more people. The disease is set to become the third-leading cause of death worldwide in the coming years. Barack Obama has been a global leader in the fight against AIDS. He traveled to Kenya and took a public HIV test to encourage testing and reduce the stigma of the disease.

Promote AIDS Prevention:
Barack Obama believes that we cannot ignore that abstinence and fidelity may too often be the ideal and not the reality. Obama went to a large evangelical conference in 2006 to promote greater investment in the global AIDS battle. At this conservative Christian event, Obama pushed for a balanced approach to fighting the disease that includes condom distribution. In late 2006, Barack Obama worked to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act, which is one of the largest sources of federal funds for primary health care and support services for patients with HIV/AIDS. The bill was named after Ryan White, an Indiana teenager whose courageous struggle with HIV/AIDS helped educate the nation.

Empower Women to Prevent HIV/AIDS:
In the United States, the percentage of women diagnosed with AIDS has quadrupled over the last 20 years. Today, women account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. Barack Obama introduced the Microbicide Development Act, which will accelerate the development of products that empower women in the battle against AIDS. Microbicides are a class of products currently under development that women apply topically to prevent transmission of HIV and other infections.

http://www.outfordemocracy.org/docs/2008/obamahrcresponse.pdf

www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLhf1YGViyQ

---

Why does the Hillary Clinton campaign get a free pass with their homophobic support? Some homophobes who are not only on Hillary's web site, but one is even getting paid $10,000 a month:

There's Rev. Harold Mayberry:

I'm comfortable in what I believe in. I'm not rejecting people. As God loves, we love. I don't reject thieves, I reject thievery.

He's talking about homosexuality as thievery. Oh, but wait! He's on Hillary's web site: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=2857.

Then there's Darrell Jackson, who made this statement regarding his opposition to same-sex marriage and has renegotiated a nice $10,000 contract with the Clinton team:

Now, we know how we feel on this issue, and I've allowed my position to be known more than anybody else. I stand here
as someone who is a pastor to a congregation of a whole lot of people, and I've said it to them and I'll say it to anyone else.

My personal moral position is what I believe and what I subscribe to. I don't have to come here and try to legislate it...There is little doubt in this body what will ultimately happen with that issue. That is a forgone conclusion.

http://www.scstatehouse.net/sess116_2005-2006/sj05/20050413.htm

He's also on the Hillary web site endorsing her: http://www.hillaryclinton.com/news/release/view/?id=1339

Then there's Clinton's South Carolina co-chairs, John Matthews and Linda Short. Both voted for the bill in South Carolina to ban same-sex marriage.
http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/1007/Gay_rights_in_SC_contd.html

Then there's Bill Clinton, who signed the hateful, anti-gay rights Defense of Marriage Act into federal law, campaigning for Hillary Clinton openly. Both he and Hillary were openly for the Act at the time of his signature.

These are people that are ON the Clinton campaign web site and/or are paid by the campaign. Where's the outrage?

Then there's the Golden Gift of Homophobic Hate that Bill Clinton signed called the "Defense Of Marriage Act" ironically while he was cheating on his wife at the time. If you want to know what Hillary Clinton is ON RECORD saying about this despicable piece of legislation, she said in 2000:

She also said she would have voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, a bill passed by Congress in 1996 that prevents federal recognition of same-sex marriage. "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 has always been, between a man and a woman," Clinton said.

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1589/is_2000_Feb_15

[IrishBloodEngHeart]

1. i am a gay Obama supporter

but Senator Clinton is fine on gay issues too.

I think they are both about equal and am supporting Obama for other reasons.

Please don't demonize Senator Clinton for the supporters she has. Every candidate has supporters they don't agree with on every issue.

[zulchzulu]

3. What about the Defense of Marriage Act and her continuing support for it?

The Defense of Marriage Act, signed by Bill Clinton and supported by Hillary, is a shining beacon of light...for the HOMOPHOBES. It spawned so many Repuglican efforts to get out homophobic voters with gay marriage banning legislation. The act has caused many Republicans to vote that might have otherwise not. It has not only helped Republican voter turnout, it has continued to churn the waters of hate nationally.

Hillary can't give a straight answer (no pun intended) on where she stands these days on the the Defense of Marriage Act. Her record and past statements clearly put her on the same side as Tom DeLay.

[dsc]

8. totally, completely, and utterly false

Hillary has over and over and over and over against stated she is in favor repealing part of DOMA (that which denies federal recognition of state marriages) and against a federal marriage amendment. Conversely, Delay has over and over and over and over again supported all parts of DOMA and a federal marriage amendment. As always you tell total fabrications.

[Esya]

24. Hillary and all things personal

Oh, geez, can't you guys give it a rest? I have really had it with the competitive hormones or whatever. Hillary supports all forms of personal privacy, does not support restricting marriage for gays, and for you to tie this issue to her, rather than the Republicans, is really too much. We all know that you want to win the nomination, OK?

Don't lower yourself to what we have been putting up with for, let's see, since 1980 and Reagan--27 years. Nobody is ever happy with political compromise, but unless you want to throw your cash at Emily's list (because pro-choice women truly do understand the physical privacy issues better than anybody) then we are stuck with the Congress we have.

Instead, why don't you demonstrate in such detail how Obama has been faithful and loyal to bodily privacy on issues concerning, say--the supreme court nominees? Funding for international birth control? Funding for freedom from moral restrictions on personal sexual privacy? All these issues are one for which Hillary has been a completely faithful advocate.

Or maybe, you can show how Obama has taken specific action to reduce the inequities in taxation, social security rules, and the like, based on gender. O, maybe you can't because you never go back past 2004 because there is no point in doing so for your candidate.

[dsc]

25. I think you meant to reply to zulu not to me

[zulchzulu]

26. Welcome to DU!

This OP was addressing LGBT issues regarding the record that Barack Obama has done. I certainly could address Obama's solid record regarding women's issues.

Let me start by saying that Obama gets 100% ratings from NARAL and Planned Parenthood. He has been a stalwart soldier for equal rights for all in his eight years as state Senator as well as the four years as Senator.

Look for a handy guide on those issues or go to www.barackobama.com.

[populistdriven]

21. i am not gay but i support this gay Obama supporter's message of intra-party tolerance

:)

[ruggerson]

2. Where has he addressed gay youth and gay teen suicide?

Which were the primary issues for many gay voters concering the McClurkin debacle.

I'm also interested in why "The fierce urgency of now" did not seem to apply to gay people when Senator Obama refused to have his picture taken with Gavin Newsom, shortly after Newsom's tranforming acts of civil disobedience in San Francisco opening up marriage rights to all citizens.

[ingac70]

4. Shortly after?

That was in 2004.

:shrug:

His not having his picture taken with Newsom was probably because Newsom has been wrapped up in his own, more recent, scandal of banging an aide's wife.

[Tatiana]

13. Uh-huh.

"Upon reflection with friends and family this weekend, I have come to the conclusion that I will be a better person without alcohol in my life," Newsom said in a written statement. "I take full responsibility for my personal mistakes and my problems with alcohol are not an excuse for my personal lapses in judgment."

<snip>

The move follows the revelation last week that Newsom had a sexual affair with an employee of his office, Ruby Rippey-Tourk, who also is the wife of one of his former top political aides, Alex Tourk. Tourk, the mayor's former deputy chief of staff, resigned as Newsom's re-election campaign manager after confronting Newsom about the affair.

The mayor admitted the affair Thursday after it was reported by The Chronicle and apologized to Tourk, his friends and family and the residents of San Francisco. He has since declined to say anything about the scandal and has stated repeatedly that he wants to get back to work.

Newsom's alcohol use became an embarrassment for the mayor after witnesses reported he appeared to have been drinking late Dec. 22 before arriving at San Francisco General Hospital, where a police officer had been taken after being mortally wounded.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/02/05/BAG4ENV8B514.DTL

[ruggerson]

16. What does this have to do with Obama refusing to have his picture taken with Newsom in 2004?

[SKKY]

14. I like Gavin, but yea he did kinda fuck up there huh?

I guess after Kim left him, it was any port in the storm. Not just an aide's wife, his campaign director and long-time friend's wife.

[Yurovsky]

36. Whoa ... that's pretty low ...

I can't imagine ever compensating for my crumbling marriage by breaking up a friends.

That's sickening.

[ruggerson]

15. Wrong

he refused to have his picture taken with Newsom in 2004 at a fundraiser Willie Brown held for Obama in San Francisco.

This was years before Newsom's personal issues with his wife, so it has no bearing on Senator Obama's refusal to be associated with Newsom.

[KittyWampus]

6. Newsom? the mayor who is an admitted adulterer and alcoholic? That'd be a great photo op

leading into the election season.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[ruggerson]

17. Obama refused the photo OP in 2004

shortly after the same sex marriage civil disobedience.

Years BEFORE any scandals in Mayor Newsom's personal life.

You have your timeline wrong.

[newmajority]

33. And if he HAD taken a picture with Newsome

You Hillbots would be calling him out now for hanging around drunken adulterers.

[ruggerson]

34. oh yeah

that really would happen.

[zulchzulu]

11. From his record, I think you can see how he wants to help out those feeling suicidal...

...about being gay.

He clearly states how he feels with this quote:

"I have clearly stated my belief that gays and lesbians are our brothers and sisters and should be provided the respect, dignity, and rights of all other citizens. I have consistently spoken directly to African-American religious leaders about the need to overcome the homophobia that persists in some parts our community so that we can confront issues like HIV/AIDS and broaden the reach of equal rights in this country.

I strongly believe that African Americans and the LGBT community must stand together in the fight for equal rights. And so I strongly disagree with Reverend McClurkin's views and will continue to fight for these rights as President of the United States to ensure that America is a country that spreads tolerance instead of division."

- Barack Obama

http://pride.barackobama.com/page/content/lgbthome

[ruggerson]

18. Many people would feel far better about the McClurkin mess

if Senator Obama would simply condemn the ex-gay movement and show solidarity with gay teens.

It wouldn't take much of an effort on his part.

[zulchzulu]

32. Here's what I'll do...

There is a chance that I will get to meet Barack Obama this week when he's in town. I will personally ask him about whether he could address the McClurkin issue and make a statement regarding gay teen suicide.

He has made his point about the beliefs that McClurkin has espoused, but addressing the gay teen suicide issue would be a fantastic thing for him to do.

[ruggerson]

35. What I would like to see him state

is that he understands the great damage caused by the "ex-gay" movement and understands the link to gay teen abuse and suicide, and he unequivocally does not accept or agree with the agenda of the "ex-gay" movement.

If he can say that, he will earn a lot more credit and will have gone a long way towards repairing the damage caused by the McClurkin incident.

Hope you can put the bug in his ear.

[MadMaddie]

44. I agree...I am a believer that you are judged by the company you

keep. Obama could have gotten Patty Labelle who is a true Christian but Obama's campaign not only got McClurkin but other hate mongering groups.

It wouldn't take much effort on his part.

[terrya]

5. The same record Hillary Clinton has.

The SAME. Both oppose same-sex marriage. Both support ENDA and hate crimes legislation. Both support repealing DADT. Yes, I wish Hillary Clinton would support repeal of ALl of DOMA. That's wrong.

Once again, Hillary Clinton was not President of the United States when DOMA and DADT were enacted. DADT and DOMA are wrong. They are discriminatory. But NO President, at the time, would have stopped DOMA and DADT from passage. Including Barack Obama. You tell me how a President Obama would have stood up to the pressures of a Congress in open revolt, and a Joint Chiefs of Staff who would have resigned enmasse if the ban on gays and lesbians were lifted.

About Donnie McClurkin. It wasn't as if Barack Obama was blindsided by this. The GLBT community begged Obama and the Obama campaign not to have McClurkin on that stage. Begged. And yet...nothing. McClurkin got on that stage, and shouted "Thank God for delivering me from homosexuality!". And frankly, Obama offered the most tepid of apologies about it afterward.

Please don't tell us GLBT people as to who we should support or be outraged by. It would be nice if some people around here who post these things actually cared about GLBT people and their issues, but I really don't think that's the case.

[goodgd_yall]

23. good post, terrya n/t

[Sapphocrat]

37. Terry, Terry, Terry...

You know the drill by now: We need disinterested straight people to tell us what's homophobic, and what's not, because we're just too stupid to figure it out for ourselves. :sarcasm:

Seriously: The only thing "faux" around here is the faux interest some people pretend to take in our well-being, in order to leech our money and our votes, as usual. Consider how stupid they must think we are, and that goes a long way toward explaining why they think they can convince us they give a damn about us... and why they think they have the right to tell us when to be outraged, or not. How patronizing. How insulting. What a low opinion of us they have.

[Tatiana]

7. He will include gays as a protected class under hate crime legislation.

Gay citizens will be able to file their taxes together, make medical decisions for one another in case of an emergency, adopt kids, and if they are a victim of a hate crime, they can feel confident that the offender will not get off with a slap on the wrist.

He stands on equal footing with Clinton, I think.

[maddiejoan]

10. I believe in Hillary on LGBT

I don't believe in Obama.

[zulchzulu]

12. Obama's record proves he supports LGBT rights... Hillary's...not so much...

Please state what her RECORD is on LGBT rights that is not actually fighting against progressing LGBT rights. A short list would do (and I imagine it's pretty small)...

[maddiejoan]

20. pffft

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=289759
http://www.hrc.org/laws_and_elections/5662.htm

Where's Obama on the above? Don't see him anywhere

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=s110-1105





Hillary Clinton on Gay Rights
Telling kids about gay couples is parental discretion
Q: Last year some parents of second graders in Lexington, Massachusetts, were outraged to learn their children's teacher had read a story about same-sex marriage, about a prince who marries another prince. Would you be comfortable having this story read to your children as part of their school curriculum?
A: With respect to your individual children, that is such a matter of parental discretion. I think that obviously it is better to try to work with your children, to help your children the many differences that are in the world and to really respect other people and the choices that other people make, and that goes far beyond sexual orientation. So I think that this issue of gays and lesbians and their rights will remain an important one in our country. Tomorrow we're going to vote on the hate crimes bill. We haven't been able to get it passed, and it is an important measure to send a message that we stand against hatred and divisiveness.
Source: 2007 Democratic primary debate at Dartmouth College Sep 6, 2007

Positive about civil unions, with full equality of benefits
Q: What is at the heart of your opposition to same-sex marriage?
A: Well, I prefer to think of it as being very positive about civil unions. You know, it's a personal position. How we get to full equality is the debate we're having, & I am absolutely in favor of civil unions with full equality of benefits, rights, and privileges. I want to proceed with equalizing federal benefits.
And I've also been a very strong supporter of letting the states maintain their jurisdiction over marriage. I want to repeal Section 3 of DOMA, which stands in the way of the extension of benefits to people in committed, same-sex relationships. I will be very strongly in favor of doing that as president.
I don't know that we could have defeated the Federal Marriage Amendment if we had not had DOMA. I mean, that is something that, you know, has provided a great protection against what was clearly the Republican strategy, to just cynically use marriage as a political tool.
Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Aug 9, 2007

Let states decide gay marriage; they're ahead of feds
Q: Why let the states maintain their jurisdiction to ban gay marriage?
A: It's easy to forget that just 2 years ago we were facing all of these referenda that were enshrining discrimination in state constitutions. Unfortunately, they passed. Now, we're beginning to see other states take different approaches, because stopping the Federal Marriage Amendment gave the states the breathing room to make different decisions.
Q: In the civil rights struggle, the same argument of states' rights issue was used as a red herring. Doesn't marriage as a states' rights issue resonate the same way?
A: Absolutely. But this has not been a long-term struggle yet, and I think the states are moving much more rapidly to deal with the inequalities than you would find at the federal level. The reason we were plotting strategy to beat the Federal Marriage Amendment is that we were worried it was going to pass. But I don't know that we could have defeated the Federal Marriage Amendment if we had not had DOMA.
Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Aug 9, 2007

GLBT progress since 2000, when I marched in gay pride parade
Q: When your husband was elected president, it was a very hopeful time for the gay community. But in the years that followed, our hearts were broken. A year from now, are we going to be left behind like we were before?
A: Well, obviously, I don't see it quite the way that you describe, but I respect your feeling about it. You know, we certainly didn't get as much done as I would have liked, but I believe that there was a lot of honest effort going on by the president, the vice president and the rest of us who were trying to keep the momentum going. You know, I remember when I was running for the Senate as first lady marching in the gay pride parade in New York City, and to a lot of people that was just an unbelievable act.
Q: Why not be the leader now?
A: I think I am a leader now. But as president, I think I have an opportunity to reverse the concerted assault on people. It wasn't just on people's rights; it was on people. It was demeaning; it was mean-spirited. And that will end.
Source: 2007 HRC/LOGO debate on gay issues Aug 9, 2007

Don't ask don't tell was an important transition step
Don't ask don't tell was an important first step, But talking about this as though there is a reality out there that a president or a Congress can change with the snap with a finger does a grave disservice to the American people. We have a political process. There's checks and balances, the Congress was adamantly opposed at the time to letting gays and lesbians serve openly. "Don't ask, don't tell" was the compromised policy.
Source: 2007 Dem. debate at Saint Anselm College Jun 3, 2007

2004:defended traditional marriage; 2006:voted for same-sex
Hillary's argument against the Marriage Amendment in her Senate floor speech was a stinging diatribe against divorce & bearing children out of wed-lock:
I believe marriage is not just a bond, but a sacred bond between a man & a women. I have had occasion in my life to defend marriage, to stand up for marriage, to believe in the hard work & challenge of marriage. So I take umbrage at anyone who might suggest that those of us who worry about amending the Constitution are less committed to the sanctity of marriage, or to the fundamental bedrock principle that exists between a man & a woman, going back into the midst of history as one of the foundational institutions of history & humanity & civilization, and that its primary role during those millennia has been raising & socializing children."
It was her rhetoric that was on the minds of gay leaders in 2006. Hillary claimed she had evolved. Hillary indicated she would not oppose efforts to enact a same-sex marriage law in NY.
Source: The Extreme Makeover, by Bay Buchanan, p.148-150 May 14, 2007

Federal Marriage Amendment would be terrible step backwards
Senator Clinton voted against a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage, but she has avoided making statements on the issue. When a reporter pressed her, she instead assailed the amendment as part of the "political machine of the White House & then GOP majority."
Hillary has remained so tight-lipped about her feelings on gay marriage that homosexual groups have threatened to stop funding her.
Hillary's awkward stance on this issue reflects a need to please her liberal base while not turning off conservative voters. When she does address the issue, she said she opposed gay marriage, supported some form of civil unions, but was against the Federal Marriage Amendment to the Constitution.
"I think it would be a terrible step backwards. It would be the first time we've amended the Constitution to deny rights to people."
When she talks to conservatives, Hillary says she personally opposed gay marriage, pointing to her support for the Defense of Marriage act.
Source: Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy, by Amanda Carpenter, p. 84-87 Oct 11, 2006

Gay soldiers need to shoot straight, not be straight
One of Bill's first challenges as commander in chief became the promise he made during the campaign to let gays and lesbians serve in the military as long as their sexual orientation did not in any way compromise their performance or unit cohesion. I agreed with the commonsense proposition that the code of military conduct should be enforced strictly against behavior, not sexual orientation.
Bill knew the issue was a political loser, but it galled him that he couldn't persuade the Joint Chiefs of Staff to align the reality-that gays and lesbians have served, are serving, and will always serve-with an appropriate change in policy that enforced common behavior standards for all. Bill agreed to a compromise: the "Don't Ask, Don't' Tell" policy. It has not worked well.
I just wish the opposition would listen to Barry Goldwater, an icon of the American Right, who said, "You don't need to be straight to fight and die for your country. You just need to shoot straight."
Source: Living History, by Hillary Rodham Clinton, p.241-2 Nov 1, 2003

End hate crimes and other intolerance
I am deeply saddened and outraged by the recent incidents of hate crimes, and I hope our outrage will strengthen our resolve to address these scourges of gun violence and hate crimes in America today. There is no place for violence or intolerance in this country, and it is urgent that we address these issues now.
Source: www.hillary2000.org, “Hate Crimes” Sep 9, 2000

Gays deserve domestic partnership benefits
We ought to be providing domestic partnership benefits for people who are in homosexual and lesbian relationships.
Source: CNN.com Feb 11, 2000

Military service based on conduct, not sexual orientation
Fitness to serve in the military should be based on one’s conduct, not one’s sexual orientation.
Source: “Inside Politics” Dec 9, 1999

[zulchzulu]

29. I would think the Defense of Marriage Act supported by the Clintons would be a deal-breaker

Thanks for posting that info. It's good to share that. Some of it does show her political calculation over a consistent record in my view.

Support Hillary. That's your right and I know you are a decent person. But do know that Barack Obama has fought hard for LGBT rights ever since he was working in the streets of Chicago 25 years ago.

:hi:

[theHandpuppet]

19. Did you forget something?

"I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a woman. But I also agree with most Americans, including Vice President Cheney and over 2,000 religious leaders of all different beliefs, that decisions about marriage should be left to the states as they always have been." -- Barack Obama

[zulchzulu]

27. Can we get civil unions and domestic partnerships first, please...

I'm personally for gay marriage, or as I call it, open marriage. This issue is so divisive that in order to get the whole civil rights going in the positive direction, we need to get domestic partnerships and civil unions first. We can waste time trying to get gay marriage passed and it not happening OR get civil unions/domestic partnerships passed.

Do we waste time on political theatrics and lose years to make a change or get started with the first steps toward open marriage rights?

[theHandpuppet]

28. I see where you're coming from

I've visited the site of the Log Cabin Republicans myself.

[QC]

30. SNAP!!!

[Sapphocrat]

41. ...

:spray:

[Sapphocrat]

39. "OPEN marriage"?!

Holy Jesus Christ on a Trailer Hitch, "OPEN marriage"?!

Dude, "open marriage" is a marriage where both parties agree it's OK to have extramarital sex.

Where did you come up with "open marriage"? Did you grow up in another country? Do you not understand American slang?

Or -- serious question -- are you trying to equate marriage equality with promiscuity via what sounds like a not-so-subtle "mistake"?

As for the rest of your post, your take makes me want to puke, as usual. You again diminish our right to enjoy what currently amounts to your heterosexual privilege as "political theatrics." Do you practice being insulting? Are you in the midst of some sort of bet with someone to see who can belittle gay people in the most insulting way and get away with it?

And, buddy, we've got domestic partnerships where I come from. And it ain't marriage.

Finally, it's this "states' rights" bullshit that's wasting YEARS. You want us to keep fucking around getting the right to hospital visitation, apart from inheritance rights, apart from all the other contractual agreements that come automatically with full marriage rights.

We get equal marriage, and all those other issues -- around 1,100 of themm at last count -- go away, and we stop wasting time, and clogging the courts.

Crimenysakes, you couldn't BE more wrong about LGBT equality, most of the time -- but this post of yours really takes the cake!

[zulchzulu]

43. OK...you're right...

Listen. I'm ON YOUR SIDE, OK? I'm not trying to be insulting. I'm not yucking it up with my straight friends to belittle the gay community. Your accusations are way off base.

As for Open Marriage, you are correct. Perhaps it should be called Equal Marriage. Let's start mobilizing for the Equal Marriage Act.

As for what I'm talking about, it's not about waiting for states to ratify gay marriage or domestic partnerships/civil unions. Domestic partnerships/civil unions should be made federally legal IMMEDIATELY if not sooner.

I would suggest you calm down and read Obama's clear record supporting LGBT rights. If you can't understand the point of the OP and just want to attack me as though I'm some secret, evil homophobe, I advise you to seek help. I've done lots of grassroots work for LGBT rights FOR YEARS. If you feel to further find the need to insult me, go ahead. I've seen it all.

[Sapphocrat]

38. Oh, but that's OK...

...'cause he's going to give us a "basic set of rights" -- you know, like a training bra. Maybe someday, if we prove we're responsible enough not to put our eyes out while putting it on every day, he might let us graduate up to a big-girl bra.

But I doubt it.

[Bluenorthwest]

22. He could so easily

Say what the OP claims he means, clearly. He could sever ties with the Ex-Gay movement and promise that we will not be expected to endure McClurkin and his ilk live from the White House and such. He needs to acknowlege this stuff, and stand with gay teens, and particularly gay black teens.
It would take him about 15 minutes to get it done. McClurkin is a primary deal breaker for me, Donnie and the ongoing use of words like 'embrace' and such. Recently in some places Obama has included references to gay and straight Americans that came without the loaded exodus code speak. I noticed. The words are very important. Hillary was my last choice going in, by the way, but the woman can talk to gay people without winking to the bigots, that is for sure. She can say she accepts and respects and will do so as President. That is soooo much better than 'we should stop scorning them and try to change them'-which is the Exodus movment translation of what he said. He was talk to religious people in religous ways, and he did not say 'accept' he said 'embrace' which is what these ex-gay charlatans say. Poor choice of words or skilled use of double speak code? I was raised in some Pentacostal churchs and that is exactly what they say. Obama is a lawyer. Let him speak in clean words free from the bigots he is claiming to reject. He's winking to them way too much for my comfort.
Were it not for this ex-gay stuff, I would have a candidate. I'd be called the worst of the cultists and a drinker of Change Flavored Kool-Aide. I'd have the tee-shirt and I'd be phone banking away! But the stuff is still bagage and it matters to me. So I am up in the air.
I'll vote for either in the general, to be sure. I may sit the Primary out. Who knows?

[hulklogan]

31. Heterosexual HIV/AIDS is NOT A GLBT ISSUE!!!

Heterosexual HIV/AIDS is NOT A GLBT ISSUE!!!
Heterosexual HIV/AIDS is NOT A GLBT ISSUE!!!
Heterosexual HIV/AIDS is NOT A GLBT ISSUE!!!

I don't understand why Senator Obama thinks the GLBT community cares that some foolish militant straights haven't figured out how to avoid dangerous sex practices.

[NMMNG]

40. Do you honestly think reposting variations of the same nonsense

is going to convince anybody?


I'll tell you this loud and clear:

Barack
Obama
is
NO
friend
to
the
LGBT
community.

[alteredstate]

42. Thanks for putting this together, Zulch.

Obama has a stellar history of support for gay rights.