Dems Support Wide Range OF Gay Issues

(Manchester, New Hampshire) All but one of the Democrats vying for their party's presidential nomination oppose same-sex marriage, but all seven support civil unions along with a series of other key issues important to the LGBT community. The candidates squared off Sunday night against one another at their second televised debate of the campaign - this one in the leadoff primary state, New Hampshire. Prior to the debate the Human Rights Campaign released the results of a questionnaire on LGBT civil rights submitted to Hillary Rodham Clinton, Barack Obama, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, John Edwards, Mike Gravel, Bill Richardson and Dennis Kucinich. All but Gravel responded to the survey. Kucinich was the only candidate to support same-sex marriage. Each of the seven said they supported civil unions. They also said they supported the recognition by the federal government of a state's sanction same-sex unions for the purposes of benefits and taxation at both the state and federal levels. And they support extending federal benefits to same-sex couples and their children.All seven said they support legislation before Congress that would bar LGBT employment discrimination, and a second bill adding sexuality to the federal hate crime law. They said they would support adding same-sex couples to the Family and Medical Leave Act, provide survivor benefits. and amending the Uniting Americans Family Act to allow American citizens to bring their foreign national partners into the country. The respondents also were unanimous in supporting repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and continued support for the Ryan White Act which funds AIDS treatment. "These candidates have expressed a unified belief and echoed the majority of the American people by stating that same-sex couples deserve federal recognition," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "It is extremely encouraging to finally see the focus of the debate around the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans center around extending the American value of equality to all people. 2008 is not 2004, and the American people have already put out the warning that divisive, wedge politics that pit neighbor against neighbor will not be tolerated." HRC has placed a large number of field operatives in New Hampshire in the lead up to the 2008 Presidential primary election and said it has plans for a presence in other primary states. Stonewall Democrats also have put a large number of supporters in primary states."Over the past several years, our chapters have worked with their local parties and national organizations to build uniform support for these issues among Democratic candidates," spokesperson John Marble told 365Gay.com. "Engaging in party politics is one of the best avenues that LGBT Americans can utilize in shaping the positions of presidential candidates." Marble said that the candidates must now begin crafting specific LGBT policy proposals that will ultimately translate their support for these issues into law. "To ensure that, our members are engaging these candidates nationally and in early presidential states like New Hampshire and South Carolina," said Marble. Source