Presidential Candidates and LGBT Issues

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has released a comprehensive analysis (pdf) of the top 19 candidates for the 2008 presidency and their positions on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues.

The good news is, all the prominent Democratic candidates are supportive of the majority of LGBT issues analyzed. All of them are in support of some kind of partnership recognition rights (such as civil unions) - though only two Democratic candidates support completely equal marriage rights (Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich). Kucinich is the only 2008 presidential candidate who has publicly supported all eight LGBT issues. All of the other candidates, including my favorites, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, are 7/8 - except Gravel, whose positions on three issues, including LGBT adoption, are unknown.

The Executive Director of the Task Force, Matt Foreman had this to say:

"The differences between the Democratic and Republican fields of candidates on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues are shockingly stark and profoundly depressing. Over time, the majority of Americans have moved to support basic fairness for LGBT Americans, including nondiscrimination and hate crimes laws, repeal of 'Don't Ask Don't' Tell,' and protections for our families. Sadly, the Republican field has gone in the opposite direction, still clearly pandering to the venom of the so-called 'religious right...' The public statements and voting records of the Democratic candidates show that they are clearly light years ahead of the Republicans on almost every issue important to the LGBT community. Nevertheless, the lack of courage on marriage equality is disturbing on both political and moral grounds..."

Ah, yes, I'd almost forgotten about the Republicans...

"Across the board, Republican candidates were in opposition to the majority of LGBT issues, with most publicly opposing lifting the military's ban on openly lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. Ten of 11 Republican candidates also oppose any partnership recognition for same-sex couples, whether it be marriage equality, civil unions or domestic partnerships..."

If you were curious, there was one candidate who has publicly opposed all eight LGBT issues: Mitt Romney, who receives my award for Right-Wing Ass-Hat of the Week. Congratulations, douchebag.