Clinton pledges federal benefits for same gender couples

[liberalnurse]

In an interview with LGBT press, the former first lady defends her stance on gay marriage, promises to back LGBT community on ENDA, hate crimes, more

http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_8211.php

Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton this week pledged, if elected, to “work tirelessly to see that federal benefits are extended to same-sex couples that meet certain standards of commitment, regardless of the state in which they reside.”

Clinton, speaking during a conference call Wednesday, Feb. 27, with reporters from Dallas Voice and two other LGBT newspapers in Ohio, also took the opportunity to recount her past support for LGBT rights.

Sen. Barack Obama, the other Democratic contender for the White House, did not respond to repeated requests for an interview with Dallas Voice.

Clinton pointed out that she has been a “proud” sponsor of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, the Matthew Shephard Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act and the Domestic Partnerships Benefits and Obligations Act, and that she authored the Early Treatment for HIV Act and fought to “fully fund” the Ryan White CARE Act.

“We have so much work to do, and when I am president, I will work with you to make sure that Americans in committed relationships have equal benefits, and that nothing stands in the way of those who want to adopt children in need,” Clinton said. “We’re going to expand federal hate crimes legislation and pass ENDA, and make sure that both are fully inclusive of all people. And finally, we will put an end to the failed policy of ‘Don’t ask, don’t tell.’”

[leftofcool]

1. Excellent!!!!!!!!

[bunnies]

2. Didnt Obama do this many months ago?! nt

[liberalnurse]

3. He's your rock star....

You show me the evidence. I can't find anything.

[ThatBozGuy]

5. I lived in chicago when he ran for senate and he caught nothing but grief for his strong LGBT stands

But he didn't budge because it was the easy answer, he stood by his conviction of we the people and all people created equal as his guiding directive and stances. He lost votes and endorsements for the fight he stood on DOMA, ENDA, repealing don't ask don't tell and many other issues. Once again the man has walked the walk for the longevity of who is not just some add on this week for a targeted triangulation.

Local statement about his stands from 2004

It so much easier to be who you are as a candidate when you live the life rather than wear the uniform. You don't have to find out what your position is when all you have to do is state what you think rather than poll the atmosphere.

[MagsDem]

13. First dem candidate in our lifetime to sponsor a bigot like McClurkin

He pandered to anti-gay bigots in order to get their votes. That's not walking the walk. Not in the least.

[ThatBozGuy]

38. Most people running up the McClurkin flag....

Are often behaving worse then those that they say repress them. One concert on one day with an "ex gay" gospel singer while Mr Obama didnt even attend and this suddenly means Mr Obama is a gay bashing idiot that has need to be run out of town at the end of a pitchfork and look his supporting of "these kind of people"(ex gay bashing gospel singers) is just indication that hes trying to recruit more people to that lifestyle.

Come on people, walk the walk first, dont stoop to the worst of the worsts behavior.

If you take this mistake to its logical conclusions and allow the same logic you justify things like:

Well you know them gays, there all pedophiles just trying to recruit our kids, because thats the same guilt by association you justify when you won't let the McClurkin mistake go.

How about we just close our eyes to companies that have anti gay people that boycott them for there support of the LGBT community, because well theyre serving ANTI GAYS.

Oh my god you cant buy things at a store that has anti gay customers even if they have good support for their employees life partners and gay friendly family units.

The logic is the same, let the hate go, dont feed the hate McClurkin is not worth the waste of energy and Mr Obama is definitely one of the strongest friends with the potential for the most powerful position the LGBT community has and will have in long time.

[bunnies]

15. here:

Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples
Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples equal legal rights and privileges as
married couples, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency as well as equal
health insurance, employment benefits, and property and adoption rights. Obama also believes we need
to fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions.

http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/lgbt.pdf

[greguganus]

28. Plagiarism!!! n/t

[bunnies]

34. Pre-Plagiarism.

Damn him for saying what the Clinton camp would later say.

[MountainLaurel]

4. This doesn't seem so fabulous

Civil unions still won't be recognized throughout the country, and "benefits" only apply to federal employees. At first glance, I had hoped this headline referred to the federal benefits conferred upon married heterosexual couples, such as being able to file taxes jointly or help a foreign-born partner to immigrate to the U.S.

[Orangepeel]

6. From Obama's website

Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples
Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples equal legal rights and privileges as
married couples, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency as well as equal
health insurance, employment benefits, and property and adoption rights. Obama also believes we need
to fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal
legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex
couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions.
http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/lgbt.pdf

And, from his Human Rights Campaign questionnaire:

I believe the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. I
sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban discrimination in employment
on the basis of sexual orientation.

I am a co-sponsor of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act, which would expand federal jurisdiction to reach violent
hate crimes perpetrated because of the race, color, religion, national origin, sexual
orientation, gender identity or physical disability of the victim.
http://a4.g.akamai.net/f/4/19675/0/newmill.download.akamai.com/19677/anon.newmediamill/pdfs/obama.pdf

[MagsDem]

10. Two words -- Donnie McClurkin

Can you honestly say you'd believe a word HRC said about racism if she had the grand dragon of the KKK up on stage with her and gave him a microphone to spew bigotry for 30 min. Hell, she wouldn't even still be in the race. But it's okay to do that to GLBT people and call it a "big tent." Obama can KMA, and hope every self respecting gay person tells him the same.

[ProSense]

17. Houston GLBT Caucus Endorses Obama

Houston GLBT Caucus Endorses Obama

by: Houston GLBT Political Caucus
Fri Feb 29, 2008 at 00:16 PM CST

( - promoted by Phillip Martin)

www.thecaucus.org

After decades of fighting for equality in the face of discrimination, the LGBT community recognizes, perhaps more profoundly than anyone, the "fierce urgency of now." We long for transformational change. We deeply desire a united country, where we can share openly and honestly with our neighbors. That is why the Houston GLBT Political Caucus is proud to join the unprecedented, diverse, hope driven coalition that is emerging across this nation to elect Senator Barack Obama President of the United States.

Despite overwhelming schedules, both Senator Clinton and Senator Obama had the humility to answer all of our tough questions, fulfilling the same process that every candidate, from precinct chair to U.S. Senator, had to complete in order to secure our endorsement. After engaging in these historic conversations, the Houston GLBT Political Caucus board has voted to endorse Barack Obama:

• Focused on Victory: Through our presidential screening process, Barack Obama and his campaign demonstrated that he's a strong campaigner with a compelling message and superior organization. As with every primary election, the Houston GLBT Political Caucus is intensely focused on victory. Our goal is to enact specific policies that include employment non-discrimination, judicial fairness for LGBT families, and marriage equality. We stand with Barack Obama because we feel he is best positioned to enable us to achieve these goals. We are confident in his ability to win the general election. The Caucus has endorsed over 40 progressive candidates in Harris County, and we believe that Barack Obama's nomination will help us win these crucial local races.

• Joining a Historic Coalition: The LGBT craves unity with our neighbors. Barack Obama has inspired young people all over this country, and we want to stand with next generation. Barack Obama has reached out to rural voters better than any progressive candidate in recent memory, and we are deeply gratified to finally join hands with our heart-land neighbors. Barack Obama has become the voice for immigrants, people of all races, workers, farmers, and the creative-class. From H.I.V. /AIDs to worker's rights, the LGBT community shares the needs and issues of minorities, people from every corner of this nation, and we trust Obama will deliver the change we all need.

• A President for Every American Family: The Caucus Screening committee had a very substantive conversation with Barack Obama. In his answers, Obama proved that he has a keen insight into LGBT issues, constitutional law, and civil rights. We know he is listening to us, and we trust that a President Obama will be a leader for all of America's families, including LGBT families.

Hillary ready someday!

[rodeodance]

7. Excellant.

[rodeodance]

8. and thanks

[MagsDem]

9. She has long said this -- hats off to her!!

[rodeodance]

11. yes, even as it gets denied here on DU!

[ElsewheresDaughter]

12. GREAT NEWS!

[bunnies]

26. Yep. Great News Hillary FINALLY got a clue about whats right.

Meanwhile, this has been Obamas stance all along. YAY for the late commer.

[rodeodance]

14. LGBT staff and appointments:

LGBT staff and appointments
Clinton said on Wednesday that she “absolutely” would appoint LGBT people to positions within her administration if she wins the White House.

“I think I was the first campaign to have such an outreach position, and I am obviously always looking to do more, and include people in my campaign and then in my administration who will certainly make a contribution to the country and represent the diversity of our nation,” she said.

“I have been blessed with a very deep bench of people who have supported me and would be part of my administration at all levels,” she continued. “It’s very meaningful to me that Tammy Baldwin and Barney Frank are among my strongest supporters, because they understand exactly what my positions and my values are, and they know that the people supporting me from the LGBT community are leaders and would have positions of visibility and importance in my White House and my Cabinet and my administration.”

[AGirl]

40. Barney frank isn't a friend of trans people or ME.

[rodeodance]

43. I recognized what happened but I also listened to his passionate speech

on the House floor. He knew he would not get the votes to have anything passed if that provision was included. It was a bad/sad day.

[rodeodance]

16. REC

[rodeodance]

18. That's our gal-- SHE IS TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS!!

[bunnies]

21. Yeah. The business Obama took care of long ago.

:eyes:

[rodeodance]

23. Please read the article---lots of important updated material.

[bunnies]

25. My post still stands.

Obama took these stands long ago.

[rodeodance]

35. lacking in details and substance he is. as I said update yourself

[bunnies]

39. vs. Hillary? Youve got to be kidding.

Where exactly are the details and substance of Hillarys plan... issued months after Obamas. What exactly does she plant for that Obama has not?

[ericgtr]

19. A little too late for that isn't it? n/t

[rodeodance]

22. Thank you for your consern

[greguganus]

30. She's losing the LGBT vote, so she had to do something! n/t

[rodeodance]

37. *****(GayWired OpEd) Hypocrite of the Week: Barack Obama

Forum Name General Discussion: Primaries
Topic subject (GayWired OpEd) Hypocrite of the Week: Barack Obama
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4824897#4824897
4824897, (GayWired OpEd) Hypocrite of the Week: Barack Obama
Posted by Maddy McCall on Fri Feb-29-08 04:58 PM


snip/

But my question is: Where was all this love, respect and concern for the gay community back in October, 2007, when the junior Senator from Illinois was actively courting the conservative African-American vote in South Carolina with his pal and supporter, ex-gay minister Donnie McClurkin? The same Donnie McClurkin who performed at the 2004 Republican convention and cozied up to that famous agent of change, George W. Bush.

Where were the ads in the local gay press in South Carolina talking about what a friend the Senator was to the LGBT community? South Carolina: An area where such pronouncements might not have been so well received by the stridently homophobic demographic whose support the Obama campaign needed to defeat Hillary Clinton in that state’s primary?

And in what forum back in South Carolina, when his campaign was struggling, did Obama espouse lofty goals like using “the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws,” as he does in this new and timely appeal to the LGBT community?

Senator Obama had none of these messages in South Carolina, more than likely because it was not politically expedient for him to write such a letter back then. However now, with the race tight and the stakes high, Obama is now finally extending an olive branch to the very gay community that he quite unashamedly distanced himself from in South Carolina.

The fact of the matter is that when the Human Rights Campaign’s Joe Solmonese and other gay rights leaders urged Obama to cancel Donnie McClurkin’s appearance at one of his Faith and Family Values tour stops, their arguments fell on deaf ears. This despite the suggestion that the endorsement of someone as antagonistic to the gay community as McClurkin could be construed as an effort by his campaign to cultivate the support of black evangelicals at the expense of the campaign’s stated commitment to gay and lesbian equality.

Boldly ignoring the obvious implications of such a slight, Obama and his staff brushed off the criticism simply citing the Senator’s belief that the country needed to broaden its reach of equal rights.

snip/

Sorry Mr. Obama, this is where the rubber hits the road. Prior to your cowardly actions during the South Carolina primary, the LGBT community willingly accepted you at your word, believing that you would be a true friend, despite your imited record of support on gay and lesbian issues.

But that was then and this is now.

Because he did nothng when he was asked to take action on behalf of an issue of importance the LGBT community, and yet now asks the LGBT community to accept him as a friend and support his political ambitions in Texas and Ohio, Senator Barack Obama is the Hypocrite of the Week.

Much more of this two-page OpEd available at: http://www.gaywired.com/article.cfm?section=70&id=18333

[rodeodance]

20. this is a great part-- Widen definition of Services:

HIV/AIDS policies
Clinton described herself as “the sole voice trying to prevent the re-allocation of funding” under the Ryan White CARE Act, a move by the Republican-controlled Congress that requires most federal dollars to go directly to medical services, leaving many support services scrambling for money, and would have, in its original form, moved large sums of federal funds from established AIDS service organizations in larger urban areas to rural areas where the rates of infection have been rising.

“It was not because I didn’t believe that other communities didn’t deserve to have the funding to deal with HIV and AIDS, but because I didn’t want to undermine the work that has been built up for years, and that really is a model,” Clinton said. “So I advocated for expanding the funding for Ryan White, and that’s what I would try to do as president.”

Clinton said the Bush administration’s flat-funding of the Ryan White CARE Act is “deeply regrettable,” and that it makes it “impossible to expand coverage where we should. That’s one of the reasons I have been pushing very hard to open up Medicaid earlier to people diagnosed with HIV, so they can get the services they need.”

Clinton said she has also “been fighting against the narrow definition of services, because … what the Bush administration has tried to do is focus on medical services and we know that meals and transportation and other types of services are critical to sustaining people.

“This is a cause I feel very deeply about, and I am going to continue doing everything I can as a senator, and certainly as president, to try to change those priorities,” she said.

[rodeodance]

24. *****needs some RECS please. thanx

[bunnies]

27. Kick for Hillary finally getting a clue.

Better late than never. w00t!

[bunnies]

31. & 5th Rec'd. Cuz Hillary supporters are dying to be proud of something. nt

[Lucinda]

42. Your post leads me to believe you are clueless about her views on GLBT issues.

This isn't a new position.

[IndianaGreen]

29. Hillary will promise and say anything to win!

Her track record is one of throwing LGBTs under the bus.

[rodeodance]

36. Obama has done everything to win including race-bating.

[anonymous171]

32. Misleading title

She only talks about extending benefits for federal employees.

[Ravy]

33. K&R

[avrdream]

41. SWEEEEET!! Compare that to BO not wanting to be photographed with Gavin Newsome.

It ain't no wonder we gays ain't carin' much for Barry.

[rodeodance]

44. that snub was petty.