Ok, guys. Enough whining about the Democratic primaries. Hilary lost. Obama won. Fair and square. Please, no BS about not seating the delegates from Florida. The Florida Democratic Party caused the problem, not the candidates. Both candidates supported the initial decision to strip Florida of its delegates. The Florida Republican Party did essentially the same thing. All this proves is that, once again, the State of Florida just can't get an election right.
I've heard several gay men proclaim that they supported Hillary but won't vote for Obama. Fortunately, these men were in Alabama and Georgia; neither of these states is going to give its electoral votes to Obama. But, if this attitude prevails in other states, it can be a problem.
Here's a comparison of where the 2 candidates stand on gay rights. I took this information from the website www.votegopher.com, and I have not independently verified it, but it corresponds with what I have previously read of the candidate's positions:
1. Civil unions - Barack Obama supports national civil union legislation, which would grant gay couples similar legal benefits and protections that straight married couples have. He says that equality under the law for gays is a "civil rights" issue.
McCain opposes civil unions.
2. Hate Crimes - Obama supports defining crimes committed against people because of their sexual orientation as federal hate crimes. He voted for a bill that did so, arguing that the bill would "help us live up to the principle that in this country, we treat all our citizens with dignity and respect."
McCain voted against defining crimes committed against people because of their sexual orientation as federal hate crimes.
3. Employment Non-Discrimination Act - Obama supports this bill which would prohibit employer discrimination against employees based on sexual orientation.
McCain opposes it.
4. Gays in the Military - Obama supports letting gays serve openly in the military. He opposes the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which allows gays to serve if they keep their sexual orientation secret, and has called for its repeal.
McCain has expressed strong support for the current "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays in the military, which allows gays to serve if they keep their sexual orientation secret. He has said that any change of policy might prove disruptive to the quality of military service and threaten its ability to fight the war on terrorism.
5. Adoption & Family Laws - Obama says that he supports full equal treatment for same-sex couples with regards to adoption and family laws. He says that he will "use the bully pulpit" to try to convince states to pass such laws.
When asked whether he supports allowing gay couples to adopt children, McCain initially said that "both parents are important in the success of a family, so no I don't believe in gay adoption." His campaign later issued a statement saying that McCain would leave adoption laws to the states, and that though he preferred children be raised by a mother and father "whenever possible," he would allow gay adoption because there are "many abandoned children who have yet to find homes."
Ok, gays. There you have it. 5 issues of vital importance to the gay community. Obama is correct on every single one, while McCain is wrong on every single one. Both candidates are opposed to gay marriage, but I'm willing to give Obama a pass on that one - for now. It's really a no-brainer. Either vote for Obama, or you're helping to continue the Bush legacy of the last 8 years.
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