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Senator John Edwards' Selection Hailed by NGLTF and HRC Kerry-Edwards Ticket is Most Gay-Supportive in U.S. History For Democrats, The Gay Community is a Key Victory Ingredient |
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The Task Force analyzed Sen. Edwards' positions on 13 key issues important to LGBT people and found that he was supportive in nine categories, his positions were unclear in three others. However, while Edwards is against a Federal Marriage Amendment, he does not support extending equal marriage rights to same sex couples. "John Kerry and John Edwards make up the most gay-supportive national ticket in American history." said Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman. "But, in order for them to win the enthusiastic support of the gay community, a critical part of their base, they will have to take a strong and bold stand on supporting our civil rights." Foreman continued, "We call upon Sen. Edwards to use his strong southern and populist roots and speak out against the ugly, divisive and anti-gay campaigns being waged all across the country in the guise of "protecting" marriage. We need him to call these tactics what they are - partisan, debasing, and profoundly un-American." The Task Force said Sen. Edwards supported non-discrimination protections for gay people, inclusion of sexual orientation in hate crime statutes, ending the ban on gay citizens serving in the military, and supports domestic partnership benefits. The analysis was based on voting records, public statements, and policy platforms*. With the presidential contenders locked in a statistical dead heat, both sides are trying to energize their bases of support. For the Democrats, the gay community is a key ingredient to victory. According to exit polls**, the gay, lesbian, and bisexual vote comprises at least 5% of the general election vote and traditionally votes heavily (70%+) democratic. Only the African American and Jewish communities vote more solidly Democratic. Senator John Edwards on GLBT Issues (Compiled by the Human Rights Campaign) Federal Marriage Amendment "I oppose gay marriage. I also oppose President Bush's attempt to amend the Constitution to ban gay marriage. Washington has no business playing politics with this issue. Marriage is left to the states today, and should remain with the states." -2/04, statement "As I have long said, I believe gay and lesbian Americans are entitled to equal respect and dignity under our laws. While I personally do not support gay marriage, I recognize that different states will address this in different ways, and I will oppose any effort to pass an amendment to the United States Constitution in response to the Massachusetts decision." -11/03, statement Marriage "I am not for gay marriage. I am for partner benefits." -2/03, MSNBC Hardball Relationship Recognition "I believe in the equal dignity of all Americans and support partnership benefits for gays and lesbians in long-term relationships. States should be free to decide if they want to create civil unions with benefits akin to marriage. If states establish these civil unions, then the federal government should respect their decision and offer benefits along these lines." -1/04, Associated Press "I support partnership benefits for gay and lesbian couples in committed, long-term relationships." -HRC Presidential Questionnaire "It is time we put the prejudice behind us. Somehow, when you listen to the compelling stories of gay and lesbian people, it demystifies who they are, what they stand for, and how valuable they are in our communities. I believe we should work toward legal benefits." -2/00, Associated Press Defense Of Marriage Act Clayton: Senator Edwards, you also oppose gay marriage? Edwards: I do. I do. But can I... Clayton: So why would you have opposed Rosie O'Donnell getting married today? Why does that make a difference? Why is that a threat? Edwards: Here is my belief. I believe that this is an issue that ought to be decided in the states. I think the federal government should honor whatever decision is made by the states. I want to say a word in answer to the question you asked very directly. I would not support the Defense of Marriage Act today, if there were a vote today, which is the question you just asked Senator Kerry. I'm not sure what he said about that. But I would not vote for it. (LAUGHTER) King: You would not vote for it? Edwards: I would not. I would not for a very simple reason. There's a part of it -- there's a part of it that I agree with, and there's a part of it I disagree with. The Defense of Marriage Act specifically said that the federal government is not required to recognize gay marriage even if a state chooses to do so. I disagree with that. I think states should be allowed to make that decision. And the federal government shouldn't do it." -- From a democratic presidential candidate debate held on Thursday February 26, 2004 in Los Angeles Workplace Discrimination "I believe discrimination is wrong. I am an original cosponsor of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act, which prohibits discrimination based on real or perceived sexual orientation." -HRC Presidential Questionnaire "No one should be fired for something that has nothing to do with their job performance." -5/03, HRC Atlanta Dinner Hate Crimes "I am an original cosponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, which adds protections based on sexual orientation to hate crimes legislation." -HRC Presidential Questionnaire HIV/AIDS "I cosponsored legislation reauthorizing the Ryan White Act in 2000." -HRC Presidential Questionnaire Adoption "I support gays and lesbians adopting children and same-sex adoption laws. The suitability of straight and gay parent should be decided on a case-by-case basis - not by politicians and the government." -5/03, Associated Press "In a world where far too many children are neglected or unwanted, we need to encourage responsible adults to raise children, which is why I support the rights of gays and lesbians to adopt children." -5/03, HRC Atlanta Dinner Military "As the recent discharge of Arabic language specialists demonstrates, the current policy does not serve our national security interests and should be changed. The military should review the current policy and change it so that it treats people fairly and protects our security." -HRC Presidential Questionnaire "What I'm for is treating everybody exactly the same no matter what their sexual orientation. I believe that anybody who by their conduct make its impossible for them to be a functioning part of the military should not be part of the military, but I believe that everybody should be treated the same no matter what." -2/03, MSNBC Hardball |
Sen. John Kerry and his pick as a running mate, North Carolina Sen. John Edwards