The 2008 Presidential Candidates' Positions on Gay Rights
By Vanessa West | Thursday, August 28, 2008
What LGBT policies do the presidental candidates support?
According to lesbianlife.about.com, these are their stances:
John McCain:
Gay Marriage: No
Civil Unions: No
Gay Adoption: No
LGBT Non-Discrimination Laws: No
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Military Policy: Yes
Barack Obama:
Gay Marriage: No
Civil Unions: Yes
Gay Adoption: Yes
LGBT Non-Discrimination Laws: Yes
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Military Policy: No
Both John McCain and Barack Obama are against gay marriage. McCain, when questioned by Ellen Degeneres, evades her questions.
McCain on The Ellen Degeneres Show
Obama's explanation for why he supports civil unions but not gay marriage is: "I would support and would continue to support a civil union that provides all the benefits that are available for a legally sanctioned marriage and it is then, as I said, up to religious denominations to make the determination as to whether they want to recognize that as marriage or not."
In the 2004 debate for Illinois Senate against Alan Keyes, Obama said, "I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman but I detest the bashing and vilifying of gays and lesbians. Most gays and lesbians are seeking basic recognition of their rights so they're not discriminated against in employment or renting a house, so they can see their partner in a hospital. These are rights for everybody, not just some people."
When asked, "Your support of civil unions as opposed to marriage, does that amount to separate but equal?"
Obama responded, "I think there are a whole host of things that are civil rights and then there are other things such as traditional marriage that I think express a community's concern and regard for a particular institution."
Q: "So marriage is not a civil right as far as you're concerned?"
"I don't think marriage is a civil right but I think-"
Q: "Do you think it's a human right?"
"-But I think that being able to transfer property is a civil right. I think that not being discriminated against is a civil right."
Later in the debate, Obama gives his clear support for gay adoption.
Illinois Senate Debate 2004
Concerning civil unions, McCain attempts to sound moderate by saying he believes people should be able to "enter into contacts and exchange power of attorney." He tries to claim that an initative he voted for in Arizona that denied any government benefits to civil unions and domestic partnerships was "misinterpreted".
Civil Unions - McCain
When questioned about gay adoption, McCain dodges the question. He claims he thinks that "two parent families are best for America". Aren't gay couples composed of two people?
McCain claims that he is against the discrimination of gay people, but refuses to support any legal protection against lgbt discrimination, stating that laws of that kind are not necessary.
McCains speaks about his support for the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy.
According to lesbianlife.about.com, these are their stances:
John McCain:
Gay Marriage: No
Civil Unions: No
Gay Adoption: No
LGBT Non-Discrimination Laws: No
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Military Policy: Yes
Barack Obama:
Gay Marriage: No
Civil Unions: Yes
Gay Adoption: Yes
LGBT Non-Discrimination Laws: Yes
Don't Ask, Don't Tell Military Policy: No
Both John McCain and Barack Obama are against gay marriage. McCain, when questioned by Ellen Degeneres, evades her questions.
McCain on The Ellen Degeneres Show
Obama's explanation for why he supports civil unions but not gay marriage is: "I would support and would continue to support a civil union that provides all the benefits that are available for a legally sanctioned marriage and it is then, as I said, up to religious denominations to make the determination as to whether they want to recognize that as marriage or not."
In the 2004 debate for Illinois Senate against Alan Keyes, Obama said, "I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman but I detest the bashing and vilifying of gays and lesbians. Most gays and lesbians are seeking basic recognition of their rights so they're not discriminated against in employment or renting a house, so they can see their partner in a hospital. These are rights for everybody, not just some people."
When asked, "Your support of civil unions as opposed to marriage, does that amount to separate but equal?"
Obama responded, "I think there are a whole host of things that are civil rights and then there are other things such as traditional marriage that I think express a community's concern and regard for a particular institution."
Q: "So marriage is not a civil right as far as you're concerned?"
"I don't think marriage is a civil right but I think-"
Q: "Do you think it's a human right?"
"-But I think that being able to transfer property is a civil right. I think that not being discriminated against is a civil right."
Later in the debate, Obama gives his clear support for gay adoption.
Illinois Senate Debate 2004
Concerning civil unions, McCain attempts to sound moderate by saying he believes people should be able to "enter into contacts and exchange power of attorney." He tries to claim that an initative he voted for in Arizona that denied any government benefits to civil unions and domestic partnerships was "misinterpreted".
Civil Unions - McCain
When questioned about gay adoption, McCain dodges the question. He claims he thinks that "two parent families are best for America". Aren't gay couples composed of two people?
McCain claims that he is against the discrimination of gay people, but refuses to support any legal protection against lgbt discrimination, stating that laws of that kind are not necessary.
McCains speaks about his support for the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" military policy.
