Heartbreakers support some rights but not full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans. Check who they are...
To be listed as Heartbreaking Candidates, they must be running in federal or statewide races. The criteria for Heartbreakers and endorsements in general are explained here. To propose a Heartbreaking Candidate, please complete this form in full.
Heartbreaking Candidates usually fall short of full equality because they do not support marriage equality, and in other cases, transgender rights. This is why their descriptions usually focus on those issues.
SENATOR JOE BIDEN (DE)
Heartbreaker: Encourage him to become Pro-Equality
As a Senator, he voted in favor of ENDA and Hate Crimes
legislation, but he voted against LGBTQ rights by supporting DOMA in 1996. He is not a co-sponsor of partner immigration.
In 2003, he said this about marriage equality. "It's going to be something we have to go through as part of the maturation process of the nation."
Email him to ask him to fully support equality for LGBT Americans.
SENATOR HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON (NY)
Heartbreaker: Encourage her to become Pro-Equality
She supports all Equality Goals except marriage equality, though in 2006, she "evolved."
"I believe in full equality of benefits, nothing left out. From my
perspective, there is a greater likelihood of us getting to that point
in civil unions or domestic partnerships. If our governor and our
legislature support marriage in New York, I'm not going to be against
that."
Email her that equal benefits is not equality.
SENATOR CHRIS DODD (CT)
Heartbreaker: Encourage him to become Pro-Equality
His voting record on LGBTQ issues is the strongest among the Senators
in the race, since he is the only one to co-sponsor a partner
immigration bill.
"I believe that civil unions are appropriate and proper. I don't
support same-sex marriage. And the distinction there I think is one of
more of what's available, what the traditions are."
Email him that traditions can be discriminatory.
FORMER SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS (NC)
Heartbreaker: Encourage him to become Pro-Equality
He said he would provide leadership towards gaining partnership benefits, civil unions, and repealing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."
"I am not personally for gay marriage, but it troubles me that I
would use my personal experience in life as a basis for establishing a
policy for the United States of America, and I feel conflict about
that.
Email him to listen to his wife and daughter about gay marriage.
SENATOR BARACK OBAMA (IL)
Heartbreaker: Encourage him to become Pro-Equality
He supports partner immigration, hate crimes protections, and
employment non-discrimination, but he does not support civil marriage
equality.
"The marriage label brings about fierce opposition and makes the issue a lost cause." Rather, he supports civil unions. "I think it is the right balance to strike in this society."
Email him that separate is not equal.
GOVERNOR JODI RELL (CT)
Heartbreaker: Encourage her to become Pro-Equality
In April 2005, she signed Connecticut's civil unions bill, but only after it was amended - at her request - to define marriage as between a man and a woman.
Though she said, "I don't believe in discrimination of any sort," she also said, "changing the definition of marriage to include gay couples would violate tradition."
Email her that her words are contradictory.
GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON (NM)
Heartbreaker: Encourage him to become Pro-Equality
As Governor, he signed civil rights protections to include
sexual orientation and gender identity. As a candidate in 2007, he
cited as a "mistake" his vote for DOMA as a Congressman in 1996.
Regarding marriage equality he said, "I'll be honest, I'm not going to be with you on that point."
Email him to be with us in equality.
Check also: Endorsement Criteria | Form to Endorse Candidates | Endorsed Candidates | Candidates to Defeat | 2008 Presidential Election
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