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muscadineI found this summary of the candidate's views on GLBT-related issues on about.com (follow this link if you are interested in candidates I didn't include below) and thought it useful.
Wesley Clark
Employment Non-Discrimination: Clark supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
Gender Identity Employment: General Clark supports a federal bill that would outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Hate Crimes: Clark says, "Hate crime legislation should protect gay and lesbian Americans just as it protects crimes based on race, religion or natural origin."
Same-Sex Marriage: Clark opposes same-sex marriage but says, "I support civil unions so that gays and lesbians have equality and full rights under the law." When asked about the Massachusetts marriage ruling Clark said, “I think we need to move forward with this issue. I think people who want same-sex marriages really should have the same rights as people in conventional marriages.”
Family Medical Leave: Clark supports extending the Family Medical Leave Act to same-sex couples.
Same-Sex Immigration: Clark supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R. 832) which would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into this country.
Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Clark supports giving gays and lesbians the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Clark supports a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which would allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly in the military.
Clark Comments:
On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "I believe that the military needs to rethink the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. It does not serve this country to discriminate against people who want to serve in our armed forces. I would ask the military to craft and implement a policy that ensures that everyone who wants to serve their country is permitted to do so with honor and dignity."
On Same Sex Adoption: "There are too many children who need loving homes and parents--to prevent able, responsible adults from adopting solely because of their sexual orientation is wrong. I support giving judicial authorities the right to make decisions based on the best interest of the child."
Howard Dean
Employment Non-Discrimination: Howard Dean promises to fight for the enactment of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
Gender Identity Employment: Dean supports passage of a federal bill to outlaw discrimination in the workplace based on gender identity and expression.
Hate Crimes: Dean supports the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in Federal Hate Crimes Law. Currently laws do not include gender identity or sexual orientation, but do include race, religion and national origin.
Same-Sex Marriage: Dean opposes same-sex marriage, but thinks the federal government should recognize legal unions created by states and other countries.
Family Medical Leave: Dean supports extending the Family Medical Leave Act to domestic partners and their children.
Same-Sex Immigration: Dean supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R. 832) which would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partner for immigration into this country.
Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Dean supports same-sex adoption.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Dean supports the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" which would allow gay, lesbian and bisexual soldiers to serve openly in the military.
Dean Comments:
On Hate Crimes: "The murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming was not an isolated incident, but part of persistent anti-gay violence in the United States. I support the enactment of the Local Law Enforcement Act to help states investigate and prosecute bias crimes and add 'sexual orientation' to the list of protected categories in federal hate crimes statute."
On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "Last November, several Arabic and Korean linguists from the Army's Defense Language Institute were discharged for being gay despite the critical need for qualified linguists in the war on terror. That was wrong. As President, I will offer gay and lesbian soldiers the opportunity to serve our country openly."
John Edwards
Employment Non-Discrimination: Edwards supports a federal bill that would outlaw job discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Gender Identity Employment: Edwards is undecided on a federal bill to outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Hate Crimes: Edwards supports expanding federal Hate Crimes Law to include sexual orientation.
Same-Sex Marriage: Edwards opposes same-sex marriage, but he does not think the Constitution should be amended to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Family Medical Leave: Edwards is undecided on extending Family Medical Leave Act to same-sex couples.
Same-Sex Immigration: Edwards is undecided on legislation that would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into the country.
Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Edwards supports giving same-sex couples the same rights to adopt children as heterosexual couples.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Edwards supports the rights of gays, lesbians and bisexuals to serve openly in the United States Military.
Edwards Comments:
On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "As the recent discharge of Arabic language specialists demonstrates, the current policy does not serve our national interests and should be changed."
On 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."
John Kerry
Employment Non-Discrimination: Kerry supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act 2003. He co-sponsored ENDA in 1996.
Gender Identity Employment: Kerry has not made it clear if he will support a bill to end workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression. See comments below.
Hate Crimes: Kerry supports the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in Federal Hate Crimes Law. Current law does not include either, but does include race, religion and national origin.
Same-Sex Marriage: Kerry initially said he does not support same-sex marriage, but supports civil unions. In the candidates' debate on November 24, when asked about the Massachusetts ruling he said, “I would urge the Legislature to do precisely what the Constitution requires. It is a matter of equal protection under the law.”
Family Medical Leave: Kerry supports extending the Family Medical Leave Act to same-sex couples.
Same-Sex Immigration: Kerry supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R. 832) which would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into the country.
Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Kerry supports gays and lesbians having the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Kerry supports the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which would allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly in the military.
Kerry Comments:
On Gender-Identity Discrimination in Employment: "I oppose discriminationof all kinds and my office policy prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on gender identity and expression. I believe we should focus efforts on getting ENDA passed and signed into law, and I am concerned that adding gender identity and expression to the ENDA legislation is likely to significantly hinder that effort."
On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "In 1993, I was one of four Senators who testified before the Armed Services committee that it was fundamentally wrong to continue to deny gay and lesbian Americans the right to participate in the armed forces of the United States."
On Gay Marriage: "While I do not support gay marriage, I support civil unions and I believe gays and lesbians should have full rights and equality under the law."
Wesley Clark
Employment Non-Discrimination: Clark supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.
Gender Identity Employment: General Clark supports a federal bill that would outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Hate Crimes: Clark says, "Hate crime legislation should protect gay and lesbian Americans just as it protects crimes based on race, religion or natural origin."
Same-Sex Marriage: Clark opposes same-sex marriage but says, "I support civil unions so that gays and lesbians have equality and full rights under the law." When asked about the Massachusetts marriage ruling Clark said, “I think we need to move forward with this issue. I think people who want same-sex marriages really should have the same rights as people in conventional marriages.”
Family Medical Leave: Clark supports extending the Family Medical Leave Act to same-sex couples.
Same-Sex Immigration: Clark supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R. 832) which would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into this country.
Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Clark supports giving gays and lesbians the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Clark supports a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which would allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly in the military.
Clark Comments:
On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "I believe that the military needs to rethink the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' policy. It does not serve this country to discriminate against people who want to serve in our armed forces. I would ask the military to craft and implement a policy that ensures that everyone who wants to serve their country is permitted to do so with honor and dignity."
On Same Sex Adoption: "There are too many children who need loving homes and parents--to prevent able, responsible adults from adopting solely because of their sexual orientation is wrong. I support giving judicial authorities the right to make decisions based on the best interest of the child."
Howard Dean
Employment Non-Discrimination: Howard Dean promises to fight for the enactment of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA).
Gender Identity Employment: Dean supports passage of a federal bill to outlaw discrimination in the workplace based on gender identity and expression.
Hate Crimes: Dean supports the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in Federal Hate Crimes Law. Currently laws do not include gender identity or sexual orientation, but do include race, religion and national origin.
Same-Sex Marriage: Dean opposes same-sex marriage, but thinks the federal government should recognize legal unions created by states and other countries.
Family Medical Leave: Dean supports extending the Family Medical Leave Act to domestic partners and their children.
Same-Sex Immigration: Dean supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R. 832) which would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partner for immigration into this country.
Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Dean supports same-sex adoption.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Dean supports the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" which would allow gay, lesbian and bisexual soldiers to serve openly in the military.
Dean Comments:
On Hate Crimes: "The murder of Matthew Shepard in Wyoming was not an isolated incident, but part of persistent anti-gay violence in the United States. I support the enactment of the Local Law Enforcement Act to help states investigate and prosecute bias crimes and add 'sexual orientation' to the list of protected categories in federal hate crimes statute."
On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "Last November, several Arabic and Korean linguists from the Army's Defense Language Institute were discharged for being gay despite the critical need for qualified linguists in the war on terror. That was wrong. As President, I will offer gay and lesbian soldiers the opportunity to serve our country openly."
John Edwards
Employment Non-Discrimination: Edwards supports a federal bill that would outlaw job discrimination based on sexual orientation.
Gender Identity Employment: Edwards is undecided on a federal bill to outlaw workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression.
Hate Crimes: Edwards supports expanding federal Hate Crimes Law to include sexual orientation.
Same-Sex Marriage: Edwards opposes same-sex marriage, but he does not think the Constitution should be amended to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Family Medical Leave: Edwards is undecided on extending Family Medical Leave Act to same-sex couples.
Same-Sex Immigration: Edwards is undecided on legislation that would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into the country.
Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Edwards supports giving same-sex couples the same rights to adopt children as heterosexual couples.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Edwards supports the rights of gays, lesbians and bisexuals to serve openly in the United States Military.
Edwards Comments:
On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "As the recent discharge of Arabic language specialists demonstrates, the current policy does not serve our national interests and should be changed."
On 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."
John Kerry
Employment Non-Discrimination: Kerry supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act 2003. He co-sponsored ENDA in 1996.
Gender Identity Employment: Kerry has not made it clear if he will support a bill to end workplace discrimination based on gender identity and expression. See comments below.
Hate Crimes: Kerry supports the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in Federal Hate Crimes Law. Current law does not include either, but does include race, religion and national origin.
Same-Sex Marriage: Kerry initially said he does not support same-sex marriage, but supports civil unions. In the candidates' debate on November 24, when asked about the Massachusetts ruling he said, “I would urge the Legislature to do precisely what the Constitution requires. It is a matter of equal protection under the law.”
Family Medical Leave: Kerry supports extending the Family Medical Leave Act to same-sex couples.
Same-Sex Immigration: Kerry supports the Permanent Partners Immigration Act (H.R. 832) which would allow American citizens to sponsor their same-sex partners for immigration into the country.
Gay and Lesbian Adoption: Kerry supports gays and lesbians having the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Kerry supports the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell, which would allow gay and lesbian soldiers to serve openly in the military.
Kerry Comments:
On Gender-Identity Discrimination in Employment: "I oppose discriminationof all kinds and my office policy prohibits discrimination in the workplace based on gender identity and expression. I believe we should focus efforts on getting ENDA passed and signed into law, and I am concerned that adding gender identity and expression to the ENDA legislation is likely to significantly hinder that effort."
On Don't Ask, Don't Tell: "In 1993, I was one of four Senators who testified before the Armed Services committee that it was fundamentally wrong to continue to deny gay and lesbian Americans the right to participate in the armed forces of the United States."
On Gay Marriage: "While I do not support gay marriage, I support civil unions and I believe gays and lesbians should have full rights and equality under the law."
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no subject
Date: 2004-01-26 09:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-26 09:23 am (UTC)Here's the link to the original page if you'd like to compare all the candidates.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-26 04:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-26 09:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-26 09:25 am (UTC)http://lesbianlife.about.com/cs/workschool/p/
no subject
Date: 2004-01-26 09:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-26 09:39 am (UTC)I wish one, just one, of these candidates stood out to me over the other.
I have always been a voter of conscience - meaning, I have never believed in voting for "the lesser of two evils" or voting for one candidate just to increase the chances of the incumbent being defeated.
But that was pre-GWB. I think that this year, I'm just going to have to vote for whomever looks to have the best chance of kicking that monkey out of the oval office.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-26 10:38 pm (UTC)I consider myself to be balanced between an idealistic voter of conscience and a realist voter of...cognition? In primaries I try to consider both which candidate is closest to my own views, and which candidate is likely to be sufficiently moderate to gain the votes of those who share only some of my views (preferrably enough for a majority, or at least a plurality). In multiparty elections, given our two party system (and my knowledge of it via political sociology), this usually means choosing between the candidates of one of the two major parties (although if I ever thought it truly was a false choice, I would probably vote 3rd party regardless of their chances).
I wish one, just one, of these candidates stood out to me over the other.
Well, in terms of GLBT issues, I think Dean and Clark are pretty clearly in the lead, with Kerry a short step behind. Edwards' stands were really a turn off to me when I read over this. I had been considering him and Clark as "Dean alternates." I would still support him against Bush, and perhaps his stands actually make him more "electable," but I won't support him for the primaries because of my "vote your conscience" side.
If you are considering GLBT-related issues as one of your primary considerations (pardon the pun), I would go look at the Dean and Clark's respective web sites (or elseweb) and see if any of their other positions resonate with (or grate against) your views. For example, some people have said they won't vote for Clark because he supports the School of the Americas.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-26 10:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-26 04:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-30 03:39 pm (UTC)As far as voting your conscience, I commend that attitude, but I honestly don't share it. My goal is to find the most electable Democrat who still strikes me as a Democrat (Lieberman, you're out! ;P ). Aside from the fact that I don't think that Kucinich or Sharpton would make good presidents, I never once considered voting for them, simply because I knew that they would do worse in the general election than Mondale did. You have to remember that even if your candidate has views that perfectly match your own, if he would lose the election, he does you absolutely no good. You may be a Kucinich supporter, but if he got the nomination, Bush wouldn't even have to campaign to get a second term, and you're on worse ground than if you had chosen Clark, Kerry, Edwards, or even the Republican in Democrat's clothing: Lieberman. It really is all about strategy.
Brett,
The Ninja Ferret of Death