Presidential Candidates In First Ever Gay Debate

[jefferson_dem]

Presidential Candidates In First Ever Gay Debate
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff

Posted: July 10, 2007 - 1:00 pm ET

(Los Angeles, California) For the first time the leading candidates for the presidency will hold a televised debate devoted solely to LGBT issues.

The one-hour event will be held on August 9 and broadcast on gay network LOGO at 9:00 pm ET (6:00 pm ET) and through live streaming video at LOGOonline.com.

Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards have confirmed they will participate. Several other Democratic candidates also may join the debate.

The debate will be conducted with a live audience in Los Angeles. On the panel questioning the two Democrats will be Human Rights Campaign president Joe Solmonese and singer Melissa Etheridge.

The debate was put together by LOGO and HRC.

<SNIP>

http://www.365gay.com/Newscon07/07/071007debate.htm

[draft_mario_cuomo]

1. This is great news and a good sign of the steady march of progress! nt

[pretty_lies]

2. Isn't This Like Having An All White Discussion On Black Issues?

Or an all-male discussion on female reproductive issues...

Oh wait, that was called the Republican debate.

[pepperbear]

3. and no republican will touch it....hmmmm. maybe a hand will be forced. n/t

[eridani]

11. Racism is a white problem, not a black problem

Homophobia is a straight problem, not a gay problem. It's really good news that our entire candidate field is willing to deal with it.

[pretty_lies]

12. It's Good The Politicians Can Talk About Gay Issues

But where are the gay politicians? And, just maybe, the gay candidates?

There are two openly gay representatives out of 600, Frank and Baldwin. That's pathetic.

This is just one of a large number of ways in which our political class fails to represent us, of course. To a large extent, we're still ruled by rich white guys.

[David__77]

4. Wow!

You know, living where I do, I sometimes forget that I'm gay and that it does cause me problems. I just don't think about it. But time and again, I've had struggles with this issue, starting in school. Problems at work, socially. It's harder to find a good partner because so many have so many hangups from their own struggles. Ugh! Anyway, enough venting - victimology never helps! I hope future generations have it easier - that's why it's so important that these issues be discussed openly and that gay men and lesbians are embraced politically.

[racaulk]

9. I can totally relate.

I grew up in a very rural, conservative, small town in NC, and having to grow up in that environment caused a lot of inner turmoil for me due to internalized homophobia. One classmate came out as a high school senior, and due to the way he was treated by our classmates (and teachers), I didn't even have the courage to come out until I left home for college. I've shaken the majority of that fear as an adult, thank goodness, but a small part of me feels nervous going home because of that bigotry that I was surrounded by growing up.

However, I found out last year (from a former classmate that is now a teacher at my alma mater) that there are several openly gay students at my old high school that seem relatively well adjusted and popular. Also, there has been talking of a Gay/Straight Alliance forming there. And this shift has changed in less than 15 years since I graduated. It's like night and day, really.

The case above helps to convince me that the struggles we go through today will make it easier for future generations of GLBT youth. Change happens, although it is very slow. We just have to keep living our lives openly and honestly so that future generations will have it easier than we did.

:hi:

[racaulk]

5. Thursday night at 9:00? But that's going to preempt "Bad Girls"! Ugh!

;)

Seriously, I think this is a great sign of progress for our progressive candidates. I will be very interested to hear what the candidates have to say on these issues, in particular on marriage equality and a repeal of DADT. I'm glad the three Dem "frontrunners" will be there, but I also hope the rest of them can be there, especially Kucinich and Gravel.

I wonder if any GOP candidates will be in attendance (yeah, right!). At least Guiliani seems somewhat moderate on GLBT issues, but I doubt he would have the courage to show his face at a forum like this, especially if he is trying to woo the support of the radical, fundamentalist sect of the GOP.

Hey jefferson_dem, just a thought, but you should really crosspost this in the GLBT forum. I'm sure most of the GLBT DUers would love to watch this debate, but I'm afraid this OP will get lost here in GDP.

Thanks for posting this! :hi:

[jefferson_dem]

7. Hi racaulk. I've cross-posted it now.

Cheers!

:hi:

[racaulk]

10. Thanks!

Since the GLBT forum doesn't get as many posts as GDP does, the thread should stay close to the top longer, and grab the attention of more GLBT DUers who would no doubt be interested in watching the debate.

Thank you for posting it there as well! :pals:

[jillan]

6. Biden addressed a GLBT community in Iowa last week

It was broadcast on c-span over the weekend.

He was great. He thanked the activists because of them, being GLBT is more widely accepted. He spoke of how
things have really improved over the last 10 years.
He said that the issue of Gay Marriage should be left up to the states, and not up to the US Gov't, but
he said that he would ensure that all people have the same benefits regarding inheritance, next of kin,
adoption, ownership of assests, etc

[xchrom]

8. ...

:applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo: :applause: :woohoo:

[Lord Helmet]

13. do you mean to say they are participiating in a LGBT event?

"gay debate" sounds kind of weird

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

14. This will be interesting

I just hope the groups that put together invite the Republicans to have a similar forum, just like Tavis Smiley will be hosting the GOP candidates at Morgan State in September.