Check out Barack Obama on the issues: Thepositions and equality quotes for LGBT Americans by the President. He is very good on our issues, but does not support full equality...
SUPPORTS EQUALITY GOAL: HATE CRIMES
From Obama's website: Obama co-sponsored legislation to expand federal hate crimes law to include crimes perpetrated because of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Barack Obama Quotes on Hate Crimes:"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." [from the Human Rights Campaign's 2008 Presidential questionnaire]
SUPPORTS EQUALITY GOAL: NON DISCRIMINATION
From Obama's website:Obama believes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity.
Barack Obama Quotes on Non Discrimination:"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." [from the Human Rights Campaign's 2008 Presidential questionnaire]
SUPPORTS EQUALITY GOAL: MILITARY --- REPEAL DON'T ASK, DON'T TELL
From Obama's website: Obama believes we need to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Obama will work with military leaders to repeal the current policy and assure we accomplish our national defense goals.
Barack Obama Quotes on Gays in the Military: "I believe that we need to repeal the 'Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell' policy. The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve." [from the Human Rights Campaign's 2008 Presidential questionnaire]
EQUALITY GOAL: MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Senator Obama believes that marriage is between a man and a women. However, he has clearly stated that he supports the states making their own decisions regarding same sex couples. He has also opposes constituional amendments defining marriage as between a man and a woman.
Barack Obama Quotes on Same Sex Marriage: "On this issue, I have been at the forefront of any of the presidential candidates." [from the Logo presidential debate]
Barack Obama Quotes opposing Same Sex Marriage: "I do not support gay marriage. Marriage has religious and social connotations, and I consider marriage to be between a man and a woman." [ from the Human Rights Campaign's 2008 Presidential questionnaire]
Barack Obama Quotes opposing Same Sex Marriage: "This is an issue that I think helps to describe who we are...[Marriage] connotes to so many people a religious and not just civil element, and that includes me." [source: cnn]
Barack Obama Quotes supporting States making their own decision for same sex couples: "As your President, I will use the bully pulpit to urge states to treat same-sex couples with full equality in their family and adoption laws. I personally believe that civil unions represent the best way to secure that equal treatment. But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples - whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage." [Source: open letter to the LGBT community]
SUPPORTS INTERIM GOAL: FEDERAL PROTECTIONS FOR COUPLES
Barack Obama Quotes on Protections for Couples: "My view is that we should try to disentangle what has historically been the issue of the word ‘marriage,' which has religious connotations to some people, from the civil rights that are given to couples, in terms of hospital visitation, in terms of whether or not they can transfer property or any of the other -- Social Security benefits and so forth." [from the Logo presidential debate]
SUPPORTS INTERIM GOAL: CIVIL UNIONS AND DOMESTIC PARTNERSHIPS
Barack Obama Quotes on Civil Unions: "I continue to support a civil union that provides all the benefits that are available for a legally sanctioned marriage." [from the Logo presidential debate]
SUPPORTS INTERIM GOAL: REPEAL THE FEDERAL DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT (DOMA)
Barack Obama Quotes supporting full repeal of DOMA: "I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)." [from Obama open letter to the LGBT community posted on Obama's website]
PARTIAL SUPPORT OF EQUALITY GOAL: FREEDOM OF GENDER
There is no public mention of his support or opposition to other transgender-related goals such as birth certificates, driver's license, etc.
Barack Obama Quotes on Trans-Inclusive ENDA: "I believe the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity." [from the Human Rights Campaign's 2008 Presidential questionnaire]
Senator Obama also supports trans-inclusive Federal Hate Crimes legislation.
SUPPORTS EQUALITY GOAL: PROTECTING YOUTH
Obama supports LGBTQ youth
Barack Obama Quotes on Protecting LGBTQ Youth: "We need to do more in our schools to foster tolerance and an acceptance of diversity." [from the OutForObama website]
SUPPORTS EQUALITY GOAL: SAME SEX PARENTING RIGHTS
Obama supports Same Sex Adoption
Barack Obama Quotes on Same Sex Adoption: "I believe there are too many children who need loving parents to deny one group of people adoption rights. A child will benefit from a healthy, loving home, whether the parents are gay or not." [from the
Human Rights Campaign's 2008 Presidential questionnaire]
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