Libertarian Party Platform and Green Party Platform on Equality

Compare the 2008 Libertarian Party platform and the 2008 Green Party platform on gay rights and equality for lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and queer (LGBTQ) Americans...

Green background indicates full support for our goal. Red background is opposition to our goal. White background is partial support. Blank means not addressed in the platform.

EQUALITY GOAL	2008 LIBERTARIAN PARTY PLATFORM	2008 GREEN PARTY PLATFORM
eQualityGiving RATING	HEARTBREAKER	PRO EQUALITY
Hate Crimes		"We support legislation against all forms of hate crimes, including those directed against people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, transgender, and intersex."
Non-Discrimination	"We condemn bigotry as irrational and repugnant. Government should not deny or abridge any individual's rights based on sex, wealth, race, color, creed, age, national origin, personal habits, political preference or sexual orientation."	"We support the recognition of equal rights of persons gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender to housing, jobs, civil marriage, medical benefits, child custody, and in all areas of life provided to all other citizens."
Military	"Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the rights of individuals by government, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws."	"We support the recognition of equal rights of persons gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender to housing, jobs, civil marriage, medical benefits, child custody, and in all areas of life provided to all other citizens."
Marriage Equality	"Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the rights of individuals by government, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws."	"We support the recognition of equal rights of persons gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender to housing, jobs, civil marriage, medical benefits, child custody, and in all areas of life provided to all other citizens." "The Green Party affirms the rights of all individuals to freely choose intimate partners, regardless of their sex, gender, or sexual orientation."
> Federal Protections for Couples	"Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the rights of individuals by government, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws."	"We support the recognition of equal rights of persons gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender to housing, jobs, civil marriage, medical benefits, child custody, and in all areas of life provided to all other citizens."
> Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships	"Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the rights of individuals by government, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws."	"We support the recognition of equal rights of persons gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender to housing, jobs, civil marriage, medical benefits, child custody, and in all areas of life provided to all other citizens."
> Repeal Federal DOMA	"Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the rights of individuals by government, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws."	"We support the recognition of equal rights of persons gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender to housing, jobs, civil marriage, medical benefits, child custody, and in all areas of life provided to all other citizens."
Freedom of Gender		"We support the right of all persons to self-determination with regard to gender identity and sex. We therefore support the right of intersex and transgender individuals to be free from coercion and involuntary assignment of gender or sex. We support access to medical and surgical treatment for assignment or reassignment of gender or sex, based on informed consent." "We support the inclusion of language in state and federal anti-discrimination law that ensures the rights of intersex individuals and prohibits discrimination based on gender identity, characteristics, and expression. We are opposed to intersex genital mutilation."
Protecting Youth		"Young people are one of the least protected classes of human beings, yet they represent our future." "Young people should be provided with education regarding their own and others' sexuality at the earliest appropriate time." "We must ensure they have an upbringing that allows them to take their place as functioning, productive, and self-actualized members of their community." "Targeting the young for age-appropriate education about AIDS/HIV and appropriate methods of prevention. We support sex education and the distribution of condoms in schools."
Same Sex Parenting Rights	"Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the rights of individuals by government, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws."	"We support the recognition of equal rights of persons gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender to housing, jobs, civil marriage, medical benefits, child custody, and in all areas of life provided to all other citizens."

The 2008 Libertarian Party Platform was adopted during its convention in Denver in May 2008.
The 2008 Green Party Platform is the same as in 2004. It was ratified during its convention in Chicago in July 2008.

Check also: 2008 Democratic Party Platform and Republican Party Platform on Equality

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As a man who is Libertarian and gay, I find this offensive. I don't think any reasonable person would read through the Libertarian items mentioned above and say "Oh, what a shame that the Libertarians don't support equality." Really, I think it's just that the author favors the Greens politically over the Libertarians. To call this a "heartbreaker" is absurd and insulting to everyone who reads it, because they are smarter than that.

I agree with the Libertarians and my fellow minor party members on the way the Libertarian platform on Gay/Lesbian/bi/Transgender/Intersex issues is presented here. My understanding of Libertarian is the no government agency, entity, or any part of government interferes in the privates lives and choices of its citizens. In no way, does this take away LGBTQI rights and, in no way, does it impose a specific belief on the LGBTQI community.

I think the problem is in the wording in the Libertarian platform and not with Libertarians.

My concern is that since natural government is supposed to protect the weak and we as citizens tacitally agree to such organization, why doesn't the Libertarian party take a stronger stance on government protecting minorities such as gays, lesbians, and transgender. Maybe a statement that says the party advocates for public protection or government protection of LGBTQI rights.

Hope this helps.

I don't think you are being fair to the Libertarians in this comparison. For one thing, you are claiming that the LP platform doesn't address gender freedom, and it explicitly does:

"Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the rights of individuals by government, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws. Consenting adults should be free to choose their own sexual practices and personal relationships. Government does not have the authority to define, license or restrict personal relationships."

There is also language about control and education of children in the LP platform...I'm not sure why you decided it didn't apply to your "Protecting Youth" section.

Lastly, I find it strange that you aren't satisfied with the LP's statement on non-discrimination. I suppose it's because they haven't pledged to force people (outside of government) to be more tolerant or non-discriminatory. But isn't "live and let live" kind of the ultimate in non-discriminatory equality? The Green Party's language is pandering; the LP's is more reflective of true non-discrimination.

I think you should reconsider your analysis of the LP's platform, on the points above, and also just on the general idea of freedom and equality. I don't think there's another party out there that is more supportive of GLTB rights (and everyone else's rights, for that matter) than the LP.

The libertarian philosophy and Party tend to take their views from the idea that the individual should be free of coercion and fraud. Thus, additionally defining a crime with the word 'hate' seems somewhat absurd. If it harms someone, the hate content is irrelevant when it comes to justice or reparation. One might conclude the only purpose for such labels is political and does not derive from typical standards of justice or right and wrong.

Without grouping anyone into a special category or conveying rights as basic human needs (ie food, helathcare, housing), equality is something to be derived from the law as rights. Or fundamental restrictions on the government to force one's property or person into a general scheme of action that they may otherwise choose not to be a part of.

Forcing economic equality or promoting an agenda which takes or coerces the unwilling is unjust and wrong. It's a shame that this type of political rhetoric is being foisted on otherwise good thinking people who have many shared values which could be used as an opportunity for political alliance in a system which favors one big party that happens to be rich enough to have two.

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Last Modified 2008-09-03