The 2008 Presidential Candidates' Positions on LGBT Issues...

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has compiled a list of The 2008 Presidential Candidates' Positions on LGBT Issues.

The NGLTF identified eight major issues that effect the LGBT community. On the Democratic side, the only consistently positive candidate in the field is (unfortunately) Dennis Kucinich. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are for all practical purposes identical (generally supportive on all issues including civil unions but excepting same-sex marriage, which they oppose). Its all down hill from there. In the Republican field, there are pretty slim pickings. Rudy Guiliani is the most supportive of our issues, theoretically supporting civil unions and opposing the federal anti-gay marriage amendment (though not consistently...he backed off from both positions in a recent Republican debate). John McCain and Ron Paul oppose the federal anti-gay marriage amendment, but not on the grounds of supporting gay people (they're really just against constitutional amendments in general). All of the other Republican candidates oppose EVERY pro-gay position without exception.

When it comes to Party's, I tend to lean conservative. No, don't gasp...I'm a Libertarian, not a Republican. But, I find myself in the position of having to take a serious look at the social issues that face our community, and as much as I don't like a LOT of the things that Democrats stand for (especially when it comes to their economic policies), I am having to give some serious thought to supporting their party in the upcoming election. The Libertarians are actually very supportive of our issues (from a pro-freedom, get the government the heck out of people's private lives point-of-view), but let's face it...our candidate (whoever it ends up being) won't stand a snowball's chance of winning, and if I really want to make my vote count in terms of seeing the issues that face our community addressed, then the Democrats are looking like the only real option.

So, let's talk about this. Do you intend to vote in the Presidential election. If so, what is your opinion on the candidates? Who do you intend to support (and why)?

TTFN,
percivale