Erection '08 Coverage: Who's Harder For Gay Rights?
Some people think that Barack Obama and John McCain are indistinguishable when it comes to their stance on gay issues. Here we compare the two gents to let you decide and discuss:
GAY RIGHTS
Obama: Supported gay rights during his Illinois Senate tenure. He sponsored legislation in Illinois that would ban discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.
McCain: Regarding the Federal Marriage Amendment, he said, "The constitutional amendment we're debating today strikes me as antithetical in every way to the core philosophy of Republicans." However, he has supported an Amendment to Arizona's Constitution that would ban gay marriages and deny government benefits to unmarried couples.
HATE CRIMES
Obama: Co-sponsored legislation to expand federal hate crimes laws to include crimes perpetrated because of sexual orientation and gender identity.
McCain: John McCain did not support the Local Law Enforcement Act of 2005 which had hate crimes legislation attached.
EMPLOYMENT NON-DISCRIMINATION
Obama: Supports the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and believes it should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
McCain: Does not support a federal non-discrimination law that would outlaw job discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
DON'T ASK DON'T TELL - GAYS IN THE MILITARY
Obama: Believes we need to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. His campaign literature says, "The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve."
McCain: According to an April 16 letter to Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, McCain says "[Don't Ask, Don't Tell] unambiguously maintains that open homosexuality within the military services presents an intolerable risk to morale, cohesion and discipline." He also stated on Meet the Press in November 2007, "I do believe the don't ask, don't tell policy has been very effective. We've got the best military we've ever had...I think it's logical to leave this issue alone."
ADOPTION
Obama: Believes gays and lesbians should have the same rights to adopt children as heterosexuals.
McCain: Has said, "I think that we've proven that both parents are important in the success of a family so, no I don't believe in gay adoption."
GAY MARRIAGE AND CIVIL UNIONS
Obama: He supports civil unions, but is against gay marriage. In an interview with the Chicago Daily Tribune, Obama said, "I'm a Christian. And so, although I try not to have my religious beliefs dominate or determine my political views on this issue, I do believe that tradition, and my religious beliefs say that marriage is something sanctified between a man and a woman." Barack Obama did vote against a Federal Marriage Amendment and opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. He said he would support civil unions between gay and lesbian couples, as well as letting individual states determine if same-sex marriages should be legalized.
McCain: Does not support same-sex marriage. From his website, "The family represents the foundation of Western Civilization and civil society and John McCain believes the institution of marriage is a union between one man and one woman. It is only this definition that sufficiently recognizes the vital and unique role played by mothers and fathers in the raising of children, and the role of the family in shaping, stabilizing, and strengthening communities and our nation." However, he opposes a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage.
We'd like to hear your thoughts...
Sources: Chicago Daily Tribune, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Earth Times, On the issues, JohnMcCain.com, and the Arizona Republic.
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Reader Comments
Your 2¢, in chronological order — add your comment below.
I love living in Canada. All that crap is dealt with. Funny that the US, the "best country in the world" is way behind on the times for human rights.
who in the hell thinks that McCain & Obama have essentially the same stance on gay rights...people who live under rocks?
Any gay person who votes for McCain is an unqualified moron-period. There is no gray area here, people. If you aren't smart enough to vote in your own best interest--and those of MILLIONS of others just like you (in a broad sense of course), you are either self-loathing or--again--a moron.
It would be equivalant to slaves "voting" to keep their "masters" in power...
I was talking to my friend when Hillary and Obama were still running against each other about gay marriage. We both agreed that we really do not know if either of them really supported gay marriage or not. We knew they allowed unions though. With the way the media spreads things some people would not vote for them (even dems) if they said they would allowed us to get married. I personally feel like unions is a start and we will eventually get marriage.
We're faced as always with the "lesser of 2 evils" challenge. I don't want to vote for either of them. Hillary Clinton had my support and I viewed her as the only candidate worthy of my vote. In the end, Obama will prevail. McCain is too old and too much like our current President. Hopefully the american people will recognize that. America made a huge mistake in electing George W Bush for a 2nd term. As a nation, we may never recover from the damage he's done. When election day comes I will cast my vote for Obama. Not ideal, but McCain is simply not an option.
People, some of you have heard this countless of times but you have to really listen! VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE for Obama on this election day! Your rights hang in the balance! Stop clubbing for five minutes and help keep your best interests safe! On average, the senior citizen vote vastly outnumbers the young vote! We need to change that! History will repeat itself and we will have elected another anti-gay bigot with a big wallet and a heart full of coal!
Obama in 08. Don't make the same mistake again America! Vote Obama!
Make sure you go out and Vote!!!!
i think i will cry if McCain is president.. He just could be worst than Bush when it comes to civil human rights and not just for the gays...
I think obama is right on everything but marriage. I'm sorry, but I honestly believe that it's for a man and a woman. I'm on the fence about adoption too, though.
"I'm sorry, but I honestly believe that it's for a man and a woman."
Meh,
Though I don't agree with you on this. Obama has stated that he believes that 'marriage is only for a man and a woman' as well.
The adoption issue is tricky.... minority children in America are not as desired as white children, so they tend to stay in foster homes and adoption centers longer or forever.. One of my best friends (who is black) was raised his entire childhood in different foster homes and was abused and mistreated along the way. He is highly successful but he is a little screwed up as a result.
If the choice is between foster parents or adoptive gay parents, I think the latter is preferable. I think most of the oppostion is based on the belief that gay parents would somehow 'train' their kids to be gay as well and we know that's not how it works.... don't WE ?
I don't know why people believe gender makes a difference when it comes to parenting. I have met countless of heterosexual couples that even though have different genders do not know how to be good parents. GENDER DOESN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE. It is the love, time and care you give for your children that counts. Its taking care of them, listenting to them and being there for them that counts. Not whether you have a penis or a vagina. Its so stupid to think your genitals will make a difference when it comes to how you will love and care for your kids. But whatever, to each his own way of thinking. Whenever there is proof that two men or two women cannot raise children correctly then by all means I will accept that as truth. Until today only the opposite has been seen and so I will stand with my belief that two men or two women can be just as good or bad of parents as a man and woman can.
Whorace--wow-thanks for the very fact-based and insightful message you posted--lot of substance there and food for thought.
Let us all know when you awake from your liquor (?) induced coma--or just stop eating paint off the well, m'kay?
I think they went about this the wrong way. They really should have compared how they voted on the same piece of legislation as opposed to comparing two different pieces but having similar language. Also, I like how they didn't quote Obama on his stance on anything. McCain was quoted several times. I am personally voting for McCain because I don't buy Obama's rhetoric.
Who let the Redneck lying shitbag in here? Guessing u just want us to come to your pathettic webpage.
Yeah Sensisble One, the same rhetoric that would not only keep your civil rights as a homosexual intact, but expand them too. If you can't buy Obama's "rhetoric" how can you stand the idiocy that is McCain?
They didn't need to quote Obama (even though Queerclick did), because unlike McCain, Obama does not find the need to repeatedly slam homosexuals on the campaign trail and on his website. Stop providing flimsy excuses to justify your ignorance.
No surprise you got McCain's "gay adoption" stand wrong by ignoring what else he said. He is not opposed to "gay adoption" outright, he just believes the ideal for a child is married, male and female parents. He doesn't dismiss single-parenthood or gay adoption.
No gay can deny that even under the big-bad, boogie-man Bush, gays have it better in the US than EVER.
Too young, Obama's accomplishments are too meager and self-ambition too great. I don't believe him and don't like some of his proposals. When he ran for Senate he dismissed the idea he'd run for president because he wouldn't be experienced enough and wasn't "one of those people" well, obviously, he *was* after all.
I also don't believe in leaving born alive children to die just because they survived an abortion and that was something Obama supported as a state legislator. The man is flippant. When asked when he believes life begins he said it was "above his pay grade." BULL. You want to be President of the United States, we don't offer a higher pay grade.
I'm for McCain because I can see how he has been different from Bush and he's got a varied life experience.
If you think the US can't recover from Bush's mistakes or that he's the worst president we've had you can't be over 30.
I can't help buy laugh at any gay american that supports McCain over Obama.
These are the same people crying and bitching that gays aren't treated right. How can you say your gonna vote for someone that seems to ALWAYS slam Homosexuals on his campaign trail and on his website. Honestly how old are you people? I'm 23 and this is my 2nd time voting for President and as a gay male there is no debating it's Obama all the way.