By David Williams, Editor
The Letter
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With the advent of a socially conservative Republican administration, gays and lesbians
may quickly be looking back at the previous administration with a kind of nostalgia
that usually takes decades to develop.
President-elect Bush has never made any gay-supportive pronouncements during his public career. |
David Williams, editor of Kentucky's The Letter |
Indeed, at times he's been openly hostile to such issues as hate crimes protections for gays and decriminalization of same-sex sexual activity. That's now reflected in his choices for key cabinet positions such as secretaries of state and defense.
Following are a few of the many ways in which President Bill Clinton supported the gay and lesbian community's struggle for equal protection under the law during his eight years in office:
Supported ENDA, which would have prohibited employment discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Supported a Hate Crimes Prevention Act that would have extended protections based on sexual orientation and physical disability.
Signed an executive order prohibiting employment discrimination by the federal government on the basis of sexual orientation.
Signed another executive order mandating that security clearances no longer be denied based solely on a person's sexual orientation.
Hosted a White House conference on hate crimes which examined laws and remedies for such offenses.
Supported vigorous prosecution of anyone who discriminated against people with AIDS.
Helped focus attention on the problems of hate, tolerance, and diversity in the public schools.
Called on the departments of justice and education to include hate crimes in their annual report on school safety.
Blocked efforts to pass a law prohibiting unmarried couples from jointly adopting children in the District of Columbia.
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Blocked legislation that would have denied federal funds to localities with domestic partnership laws.
Opposed anti-gay ballot initiatives in Colorado, Oregon, and California.
Fought successfully to repeal the Dornan Amendment, which forced the military to automatically discharge anyone with HIV.
Began granting asylum to gays and lesbians fleeing persecution in other countries because of their sexual orientation.
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Nominated more out gays and lesbians to high governmental positions than all previous presidents combined: 150.
Opened a White House liaison office to the gay and lesbian community.
Appointed the first out gay U.S. ambassador. In 1999, James Hormel became ambassador to Luxembourg over the fierce opposition of Republican senators.
Issued the first Gay and Lesbian Pride Month Proclamation, in 1999 and again in 2000.
Spoke before a gay and lesbian organization: the first president to do so.
Advocate for gay and lesbian issues in a State of the Union address: the first president to do so.
Felt comfortable talking about AIDS. Succeeded in increasing funds for AIDS programs.
Visited a display of the NAMES Quilt during the 1996 presidential campaign.
Fought for and signed a bill that prevents people from being denied health coverage due to pre- existing medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS.
Issued a directive ensuring that all providers of federal health insurance abide by non- discrimination rules, including sexual orientation.
Supported initiatives on lesbian health.
Opened the door--slightly--to allow gays and lesbians to serve in the military without fear of automatic discharge.
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