New Campaign Ad Highlights Obama's LGBT Rights Efforts

While it will surely cause lots of flying spittle and near convulsions among the Christofascists and their political whores within the GOP -  including Mitt "I Had Five Great Grandmothers" Romney - a new Obama campaign ad is highlighting the advances in LGBT rights that have taken place in Obama's first term - even if often in reaction to fears that the LGBT ATM might be closed down.   The associated video (set out below) is entitled "Keeping His Word: Equality for LGBT Americans"  and includes references toObama's signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

Obama's positions needless to say are in sharp contrast to those of Mitt Romney which I summarized in a post earlier in the week:

Romney, of course, opposes marriage equality. Romney supports DOMA. Romney has pledged to write anti-gay bigotry into the U.S. Constitution. Romney opposed the repeal of DADT. Romney opposes the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). Romney opposes adoptions by same-sex couples

One can only assume that Obama is seeking to play to the majority of Americans who now support marriage equality.  A group that includes Hispanic voters, the youth vote, a majority of Roman Catholics and a majority of moderates.     In contrast, Romney's positions pander to religious fanatics and aging white bigots.  Given the GOP's increasing religious extremism and racism one has to wonder when being a card carrying member of the KKK or membership in Opus Dei or the Southern Baptist Convention will become a prerequisite for GOP membership (of course, a lobotomy might soon also be a prerequisite)..

 

Gay Puerto Rican Teen Decapitated, Dismembered, and Burned

UPDATED: An arrest has been made in this case which looks increasingly like a possible hate crime. Meanwhile, the police are shrugging off the comment that the victim deserved his brutal death. Read more at Towleroad.

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On a very serious note, a number of blogs have been reporting on the incredible brutal and horrific murder of a 19 year old Puerto Rican gay (pictured at left). While many of the details of the murder - which almost makes me want to vomit thinking about it - are still unknown, what is equally horrible is that the police inspector investigating the murder has stated that the 19 year old victim "deserved" his fate because of his "lifestyle." Personally, I am SO OVER these assholes who describe being gay as a lifestyle!! Is being straight a lifestyle? Is breathing a lifestyle? Is being black o being blond a lifestyle? I think not. Yet this lie is disseminated daily by professional Christians, the Roman Catholic Church and other self-congratulatory "Christians" who likewise put out the lie that gays are a threat to marriage and society in general. It is little surprise - particularly if this murder turns out to be a hate crime- that some believe the murder of gays is religiously justified. Here are some highlights via Towleroad:
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Over the weekend the brutalized body of gay teen George Steven Lopez Mercado was found by the side of a road in Puerto Rico. The police investigator suggested that he deserved what he got because of the "type of lifestyle" he was leading.
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According to an iReport by Chrisopher Pagan: "On November 14 the body of a gay 19 year old was found a few miles away from the town in which he was residing in called Caguas. He was a very well known person in the gay community of Puerto Rico, and very loved. He was found on the site of an isolated road in the city of Cayey, he was partially burned, decapitated, and dismembered, both arms, both legs, and the torso. This has caused a huge reaction from the gay community here, but its a difficult situation. Never in the history of Puerto Rico has a murder been classified as a hate crime. Even though we have to follow federal mandates and laws, many of the laws in which are passed in the USA such as Obama’s new bill, do not always directly get practiced in Puerto Rico. The police agent that is handling this case said on a public televised statement that 'people who lead this type of lifestyle need to be aware that this will happen'. As If the boy murdered Jorge Steven Lopez was asking to get killed..."
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In response to the callous, uncaring attitude of the local police, John Aravosis and Joe Sudbury of AmericaBlog are asking people to contact the U.S. Attorney General and demand that an investigation be undertaken by federal officers. Here's part of the e-mail that John and Joe sent to me:

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Clearly there's not going to be a fair and impartial local investigation as to whether or not this is a hate crime. Please join us in asking Attorney General Eric Holder to have the use its new Hate Crimes law to investigate whether this horrible murder was motivated by anti-gay animus. We've set up an online action center where you can email the Attorney General. This is a perfect chance for the Obama administration to show that it cares about gay and lesbian Americans.

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I encourage readers to take action and demand that the AG's office get involved under the newly passed federal hate crimes act.

Yet Another Example of Why the Matthew Sheperd Act Is Needed

Of late there seems to be a flood of hate crimes directed at LGBT citizens with attacks ranging from New York to the West Coast to Tulsa, Oklahoma where another outrageous attack has occurred. Meanwhile, the Republicans in Congress and the sleazy professional Christians pontificate that hate crimes legislation is not needed. Or at least not needed to protect GLBT Americans. Christians yes, gays no. As the Tulsa World reports, there was no doubt that this attack was motivated by anti-gay animus plain and simple. Here in Virginia, GLBT Virginians currently have NO protection under the state's hate crimes law, although Christians do have protections. Queerity has mare graphic pictures here. Here are some story highlights:

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What should have been a 10-minute walk to a friend's house ended with a trip to the hospital for Brandon Patrick, a Tulsan who said he was severely beaten Sunday night because of his sexual orientation. Three people followed Patrick down the 1300 block of South Rockford Avenue about 11:45 p.m., yelling homophobic slurs and threats, he said. Patrick, who is gay, said he ignored the group until they closed in and then asked why they were accosting him without provocation. The assailants then started beating, biting and slashing at Patrick with a blade, he said, leaving him with several cuts on his head and body. The 23-year-old has been peppered with insults before, but he said he never thought they would escalate to violence.

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Tulsa Police Officer Leland Ashley said the people who are accused of attacking Patrick are at large and were seen in a maroon Ford Mustang from the late 1990s or early 2000s. Patrick described them as a woman in her early 40s and another woman and man, both in their late teens or early 20s. Patrick said he regularly walks through the neighborhood and doesn't know his attackers. They might have seen him previously and decided to act Sunday, he said.

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Oklahoma's hate-crimes law makes it a crime to "intimidate or harass another person because of the person's race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin or disability." Jenkins noted that the state law excludes sexual orientation from the qualifiers for a hate crime. As a result, police are investigating the case only as an assault and battery. Designation as a hate crime would allow for punishment beyond what would be imposed for the assault.

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Patrick said it's frustrating that race and ethnicity are taken into account by state lawmakers but sexual orientation is not. He said he hopes his ordeal will draw attention to the issue and lead to a change in state law. Although Oklahoma isn't known for being particularly gay-friendly, gay men and lesbians are attacked at about the same rate as their urban counterparts in places such as New York and Chicago, Jenkins said.

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When are legislators going to realize that we gays are just as human as everyone else?

‘Pro-LGBT Picket’ at Obama-HRC Dinner

If President Obama believes that his appearance at the HRC dinner this Saturday evening will magically mollify all within the LGBT community, he is sadly mistaken. Indeed, he should expect protesters outside the venue who are tired of nice words and no action - the hallmarks of Obama's approach to LGBT Americans. Longtime activist Andy Thayer is angry and he’s taking his anger from Chicago to Washington. Thayer, you may remember, co-founded the effective online StopDrLaura campaign with fellow activist Robin Tyler, issued a press release yesterday in connection with the protest Saturday evening. Without real action, Obama's words are absolutely meaningless - a fact that seems lost on HRC. Here are some highlights from the press release with which I very much agree:
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While the picket organizers will be participating in the Sunday, Oct. 11th Equality March, they charge that the march organizers have been going easy on the Obama administration and the Democratic Party in general. Barack Obama was long on pro-gay promises during the campaign, they say, yet short on delivering on them once he took power in late January.

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“The time for talking is over,” said Andy Thayer of the Chicago-based Gay Liberation Network (www.GayLiberation.net), one of the two organizations sponsoring the picket. “This President promised to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), he promised to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, he promised to pass the pro-LGBT Employment Non-Discrimination Act and a whole host of other things. Instead, he’s delivered on nothing while embracing anti-gay bigots Rick Warren and Donnie McClurkin. The last thing we need is more flowery rhetoric in front of rich, self-effacing gays and lesbians dressed up like penguins.”

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”The Obama administration has likened LGBT relationships to incest and bestiality,” said Queer Liberaction co-founder Blake Wilkenson. “He cited his ‘Christian beliefs’ for the reason why he now opposes equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. He refuses issue a stop-loss order to prevent purges of lesbian and gay soldiers. If we are going to get real change out of this White House, we need to make demands of this President. As the great anti-slavery activist Frederick Douglass put it, ‘Power concedes nothing without a demand.’”

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For more information about the Saturday, October 10th pro-LGBT picket of President Obama, contact the Gay Liberation Network at LGBTliberation@aol.com or 773.209.1187, or Queer Liberaction at LGBTliberaction@gmail.com or 214.679.6321

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As my friend Wayne Besen has said, "If I were advising President Barack Obama, I would tell him to pay as much attention to the ornery jeers from protesters outside the Human Rights Campaign's Oct. 10th Washington dinner as the cheers coming from inside the ornate ballroom." Wayne went on to correctly note as follows:

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Let it be known that the GLBT community is no longer interested in being pals with the powerful or having the famous tell us we are fabulous - unless it leads to action. If the goal of this evening were simply to provide an interesting dinner guest, Meryl Streep or Michael Moore would have sufficed. What we want from Obama, however, is a fighter working to set us free. We need signed paper in the form of laws, not paper-thin promises and illusive signs of hope. Unless a concrete vision is offered at this event, Obama's speech will sink like concrete in the Potomac River.

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We are way past the time for more talk - regardless of the ass kissing that will no doubt take place at the HRC event. Only real legislative action will suffice. And until that happens, LGBT Americans need to keep their checkbooks and credit cards in the wallets and turn of the LGBT ATM machine completely.

Obama to Address HRC Annual Dinner on Eve of National Equality March

As any casual reader of this blog knows, I have been hugely disappointed by President Obama's failure to deliver on a single one of his campaign promises to LGBT Americans. Indeed, my of the time I am of the opinion that team Obama cynically used gays to secure our money and votes wit no intention of actually delivering on promises. I continue to be willing to be proven wrong, but as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words and to date, Obama's inaction speaks volumes. I will not be holding my breath. Thus, it will be interesting to see whether Obama does anything more than make the usual nice sounding statements as he addresses the annual HRC dinner on the evening before the National Equality March this coming Sunday. No doubt the freepers and professional Christian set will be outraged that Obama is even darkening the door at an LGBT event. Here are some highlights from The Advocate's coverage of this development:
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It’s been several hours since news leaked that President Barack Obama would be addressing attendees of the Human Rights Campaign's annual fund-raising dinner Saturday night, and already the pressure is mounting. “I am most eager to hear what he has to say,” said David Mixner, a longtime LGBT activist and campaign supporter of Obama who has grown dissatisfied with the president’s lack of action. “If it's a lot of, ‘I'm with you guys, I love you guys, and you won't be disappointed,’ I think that message is going to be devastating.”

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Mixner, who initially called for a march following the release of a Justice Department brief defending the Defense of Marriage Act, echoed a notion common among LGBT advocates these days -- that the time for talk is over, they want action and specifics. And although legislation to extend hate-crimes protections to LGBT people could reach the president's desk sometime this month, few activists mentioned it as their main priority.

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[A]dvocates will be looking for the kind of particulars that the White House has been short on when it comes to equal rights. Obama already delivered a feel-good, I’m-on-your-side message this summer at a White House reception for the LGBT community. During that speech, he reiterated all of his campaign promises to support initiatives like federal hate-crimes protections and employment nondiscrimination legislation as well as the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and “don’t ask, don’t tell.”
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But to date, activists say it’s difficult to find the White House footprint on much of anything specifically related to the advancement of LGBT rights. “It’s been 11 months since the election; he has expended very little political capital for our benefit,” said Richard Socarides, a former LGBT adviser and special assistant to President Bill Clinton.

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As I said, I have no expectations that Obama will do anything other than the same old BS we have been seeing for 11 months. I hope I am wrong, but I do not think that I will be.

Senator Harry Reid Endorses National Equality March

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I am pleased to see that more and more people and organizations are signing on as endorsers of the National Equality March scheduled for next weekend in Washington, D.C. I hope that the endorsement by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid as set forth in the letter above will translate into real action as opposed to hand wringing and gutlessness that will only yield more years of inequality to LGBT Americans. As we have learned from Barack Obama, lofty words mean nothing if legislators and other elected officials lack the backbone to take real action and introduce and pass legislation that will grant full equality under the civil laws to LGBT Americans.

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At this point, I believe that LGBT Americans need to make it clear to both the White House and Congressional Democrats that the LGBT ATM machine will continue to remain shut down unless and until real legislative advances occur on ENDA, the Matthew Shepard Act and the repeal of DADT and DOMA. Talk and pretty letters are cheap. We want concrete action.

James Dobson Deliberately Lying About Hate Crimes Bill

While James Dobson likes to pose as a grandfather like figure, he is in reality a theocrat who seeks to impose his nasty form of Christianity on all citizens with an unrelenting drive for domination. In this quest, he is a complete liar most of the time, citing either bogus studies on homosexuality or twisting legitimate research beyond recognition to support his anti-gay jihad. When and how he received his self-claimed dispensation from the Commandment that bars lying and bearing false witness is unclear. His latest round of untruths concerns the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes bill now before the United States Senate. I have done several posts quoting the bill's language which on its face shows that it is NOT a "thought crimes" bill. However, always the lair - apparently believing Hitler's approach that if one states the lie often enough, the ignorant and uninformed will come to believe it to be true - Dobson continues to lie about the bill. Here's some of the vile swill from a recent Focus on the Family broadcast:

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The dangerous bill, awaiting Senate consideration, would create a new class of crimes based on the victim's "actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Those who speak out against homosexuality, including pastors, could face prosecution for "inciting" violence against gay individuals.

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Even more concerning, the legislation could create special protection for pedophiles. Democrats voted down an amendment to the bill that would have excluded pedophilia from the definition of "sexual orientation."

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..."Legislation that should shock the nation - if people were paying attention - is being rushed into law." "Things are being done that will undermine the rule of law and seriously damage morality and decency in the culture."

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Dobson cares NOTHING about the rule of law or the U.S. Constitution that bars the establishment of religion. As my immediately prior post indicates, it is people like Dobson who are responsible for the Bible and Christianity's horrible history of war, needless deaths, persecutions, and many horrors done in the name of God. He's a vile demagogue and a menace. Would that the main stream media had the balls to expose him for a liar.

What the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill Really Says

I posted earlier today about the explosin of lies coming from the Christianists over the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill (the photo at left is where Shepard's was found bound and beaten) now before the U.S. Senate. An anonymous commenter in a snide tone - it's always the anonymous commenters that are snippy and nasty - asked why I had not documented that the Christianists statements were not true. In fact, I have quoted portions of the bill (S. 909) in prior posts, but to prove to those who do not want to believe that "Godly Christians" lie incessantly, here are some more exerpts. Note that the bill talks of acts of BODILY INJURY, not speech or sermons:

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‘Sec. 249. Hate crime acts
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(a) In General-
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(2) OFFENSES INVOLVING ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR DISABILITY-

(A) IN GENERAL- Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, in any circumstance described in subparagraph (B) or paragraph (3), willfully causes bodily injury to any person or, through the use of fire, a firearm, a dangerous weapon, or an explosive or incendiary device, attempts to cause bodily injury to any person, because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability of any person--
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(i) shall be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in accordance with this title, or both; and
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(ii) shall be imprisoned for any term of years or for life, fined in accordance with this title, or both, if--
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(I) death results from the offense; or
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(II) the offense includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.
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(c) Definitions- In this section--

(1) the term ‘bodily injury’ has the meaning given such term in section 1365(h)(4) of this title, but does not include solely emotional or psychological harm to the victim;
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(2) the term ‘explosive or incendiary device’ has the meaning given such term in section 232 of this title;
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(3) the term ‘firearm’ has the meaning given such term in section 921(a) of this title; and
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(4) the term ‘gender identity’ for the purposes of this chapter means actual or perceived gender-related characteristics.

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Of equal importance are the following exemptions from application of the Bills protections based on sexual orientation or gender expression:

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(3) CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit any constitutionally protected speech, expressive conduct or activities (regardless of whether compelled by, or central to, a system of religious belief), including the exercise of religion protected by the First Amendment and peaceful picketing or demonstration. The Constitution does not protect speech, conduct or activities consisting of planning for, conspiring to commit, or committing an act of violence.
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(4) FREE EXPRESSION- Nothing in this Act shall be construed to allow prosecution based solely upon an individual’s expression of racial, religious, political, or other beliefs or solely upon an individual’s membership in a group advocating or espousing such beliefs.

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Again, there is no way to put it nicely. Daddy Dobson, Janet Folger Porter and the rest of the professional Christian hacks decrying the hate crimes bill are LIARS and they are lying DELIBERATELY. They care NOTHING about the truth and are nothing less than shameless demagogues who are likely putting money in their pockets derived from the the ignorant, bigoted, or uninformed. Their conduct is anything but Christ like.

Don’t Vote Insane

As I have said before, how any LGBT citizen can vote for candidates of today's GOP is mind boggling. The Log Cabin Republicans remind me of Jews who worked to assist the Nazi regime, the difference being that the Jews were forced to do so. What's the LCR's excuse? How can the support a party and/or candidates who would if possible recriminalize gays and make us forever less than full citizens? The Iraq War debacle and the current economic melt down make it clear that the GOP is NOT the party of national security or financial security. Just the opposite. That's the question being raised by a number of attendees at the Democratic National Convention. Do we really want our legal rights determined by people like Tony Perkins, James Dobson and Schlafly? Here are some highlights from a new 365gay.com story:

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“Don’t vote insane,” Cyndi Lauper said from Denver’s Fillmore theater Tuesday night. “As my friend Rosie O’Donnell says, ‘Listen to mama, vote for Obama; John McCain, same, same, same.” At every LGBT event this week at the Democratic National Convention, gay leaders and friends had the same message: If you want marriage, an end to the military ban, and an anti-discrimination employment bill, you must vote Obama.

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There was Barney Frank: “If Barack Obama wins and we pick up a few Senate and House seats, we will remove absolutely every legal expression of prejudice against us at the Federal level. Be part of it, so you can say you were there when we broke the back of bigotry.”

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Over the past few days, speakers have rattled off facts. Barney Frank said John McCain voted to impeach Bill Clinton and that “he’s not a friend of the Clintons and not a friend of the community.” Several speakers noted that McCain has never voted for a gay-friendly bill - including the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act.

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The campaign is concerned, too - today they released a document to the press comparing Obama and McCain’s take on gay issues. Read a document from the campaign on Obama’s commitment to equality.

John McCain - A Record of Opposing Rights for LGBT Citizens

John McCain - with the compliant help of too many in the unquestioning mainstream media - will tout his reputation as a maverick, an independent, a moderate who will work with both parties to get things done. However, a look at Senator McCain’s record paints a very different picture. In fact, a McCain presidency would be another four years of more of the same anti-gay agenda of the Chimperator's regime orchestrated by Karl Rove. How LGBT citizens can consider voting for McCain baffles me. Here's a summary from HRC:
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OPPOSED Ending Discrimination Against GLBT Americans in the Workplace. Senator McCain cast a deciding vote against the federal Employment Non Discrimination Act.

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OPPOSED Protecting GLBT Americans from Hate Crimes. Senator McCain voted three times against expanding the federal hate crimes law to include sexual orientation.

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PROPONENT of Discriminatory Military Policy. Senator McCain supports Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and does not believe that gays should serve in the military.

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OPPONENT of Equal Benefits for Same-Sex Couples. Senator McCain voted for the Defense of Marriage Act which prohibits same-sex couples from receiving federal rights and benefits in any state.

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ACTIVELY SUPPORTED State Ban on Domestic Partnerships. Senator McCain campaigned for a ban on same-sex relationship recognition in his home state of Arizona – even appearing in a campaign television ad.

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SUPPORTED the Confirmation of Anti-GLBT Equality Judges. Senator McCain voted to confirm President Bush’s judicial nominees who had taken anti-GLBT positions. He has pointed to Justice Samuel Alito as a role model for future Supreme Court appointments.

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SUPPORTED a Discriminatory HIV/AIDS Policy. Senator McCain supported a Jesse Helms strategy to cut off funding for prevention efforts aimed at the gay community and voted to prohibit foreign nationals with HIV from immigrating to the United States.

Obama Urges Bush to Sign Hate Crimes Bill

Barack Obama made this statement yesterday urging President Bush to sign the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act:

This vote was about who we are as Americans and whether this nation is going to live up to its founding promise of equality. Those who commit hate crimes should be punished no matter whether those crimes are committed on account of race, gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Today’s vote is a victory for all of us in upholding basic rights and protections in this country. I urge the President to reconsider his veto threat and support this legislation. Passing this bill will help us live up to the principle that in this country, we treat all of our citizens with dignity and respect.

From http://bloggernista.com/