Joe Lieberman on GLBT issues

[Brian_Expat]

This was a major driving factor that helped me make my switch. Check out Joe's page on GLBT issues -- he emphasizes not only his plans for the future but also his record of achievement. It seems to me that GLBT people would do much better under Joe than under Bush -- and Joe appears to be the only ELECTABLE alternative:

http://www.joe2004.com/site/PageServer?pagename=ii_recordgaylesbian

Some highlights:

Fighting for Equality. Throughout his career, Joe Lieberman has stood up and fought discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans. In 1975, as a State Senator in Connecticut, Lieberman spoke out about and supported banning discrimination in employment, accommodation, and housing based on sexual orientation. In 1979, he was the deciding vote in again passing the bill through the State Senate.

That's right. In the homophobic 1970s, Joe fought for non-discrimination legislation, back when most people in politics couldn't even say "gay," let alone fight for us.

Leading the Fight Against Hate Crimes. Joe Lieberman believes that hate crimes are not like other crimes. In 1990, he co-sponsored the Hate Crimes Statistics Act that launched the first effort to collect data on hate crimes and prodded the FBI to train state and local law enforcement officials about hate crimes. Lieberman is also the co-sponsor of the Hate Crime Prevention Act

Strong on hate crimes. . .

Domestic Partner Benefits.  Joe Lieberman supports legislation by Sen. Mark Dayton to provide domestic partners of gay and lesbian federal employees with the same insurance, retirement and workplace compensation benefits current enjoyed by heterosexual spouses.

Bush is opposed.

Opposing Discrimination. Joe Lieberman opposed legislation banning gay men and lesbians from serving in the military. In addition, he opposed Jesse Helms’ effort to allow public school facilities to be used by organizations that discriminate against gays and lesbians.

Standing up to Jesse Helms is perfect.

Voting Against Right-Wing Appointees. Joe Lieberman believes that presidential appointees must represent the mainstream of America. That is why he has opposed several Bush appointees that have extreme right-wing views.

This is VERY important and why we need to select someone electable.

Joe supports civil unions too, which is great. In short, he's a lot like Dean -- social liberal, fiscal conservative -- but electable. He's far more electable in my view than the other candidates to Dean's left (including Clark).

[Walt Starr]

1. Joe is liberal on the domestic issues that count!

He is conservative on the moral issues that count as well. I guarantee you, the Hollywood elite won't be able to paint Joe as some Hollywood liberal!

And there isn't a candidate as stron on National Defense in the entire Democratic Nomination field!

Joe's the only Democrat who can beat Bush this year.

[Brian_Expat]

3. I have to agree with you.

We need to stop these "general" fantasies and move forward with a candidate who can actually win this one. We CANNOT afford to lose this election.

[dolstein]

2. Yes, his overall record is very strong

He voted for the Defense of Marriage Act (along with 84 other members of the Senate, including most Democrats) and he opposes gay marriage. But on the whole, he has a solid record on gay rights. Better than Bush? No question.

[Brian_Expat]

4. I didn't like DOMA BUT

I have to think about whether Bush would vote for DOMA -- and he would. The only real race we are going to have with a chance of a Democratic victory is between Joe Lieberman and George W. Bush. And on that front, with Joe supporting civil unions that provide equal-to-marriage status, I think he's far preferable to Bush.