>>whateva whateva i do what i want
so i did some research of my own on bush's standing and kerry's standing on same-sex unions and whatnot, here's what i came up with. the links are there and everything. i thought it was pretty interesting.
http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/lgbt/equalrights.html
Continuing the Fight for Equal Rights for LGBT Americans
With a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign since 1995, John Kerry is a powerful voice in the ongoing fight for civil rights:
Preventing Hate Crimes: John Kerry is an original cosponsor of the Hate Crimes Prevention bill, which would extend federal jurisdiction over serious, violent hate crimes. These would include crimes motivated by sexual orientation. Hate crimes rose a disturbing 3.5% from 1999 to 2000.
Ending Discrimination: One of John Kerry’s first acts as a U.S. Senator was to introduce a bill prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. He supports passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and has adopted a nondiscrimination policy for his Congressional offices based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
HIV/AIDS Funding: John Kerry cosponsored the first Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act (CARE)-which represents the largest discretionary federal investment in treating individuals with HIV and AIDS. Kerry also sponsored the Vaccines for the New Millennium Act, aimed at boosting contributions to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, a non-profit group working to promote development of an HIV vaccine in 2000. Kerry introduced the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act, which would increase the U.S. government’s funding of international HIV/AIDS efforts from approximately $1.7 billion in 2003 to $1.9 billion in 2004. This effort led to the unanimous passage in May 2003 the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act of 2003. AIDS activists characterized Kerry as one of Congress’s top leaders on HIV/AIDS policy.
Protecting Gay and Lesbian Families: John Kerry believes that same-sex couples should be granted rights, including access to pensions, health insurance, family medical leave, bereavement leave, hospital visitation, survivor benefits, and other basic legal protections that all families and children need. He has supported legislation to provide domestic partners of federal employees the benefits available to spouses of federal employees. He was one of 14 Senators -- and the only one up for reelection in 1996 -- to oppose the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Speaking Out Against the Clinton Administration Ban on Gays in the Military: John Kerry opposed the Clinton administration's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy and was one of a few senators to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee against the policy.
http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/lgbt/bushrecord.html
Bush Administration Does Not Extend to LGBT Americans
Opposes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
During the second presidential debate in 2000, Bush said he did not support ENDA because he opposed “special rights.” On a 1998 survey, Bush stated that he opposed anti-discrimination laws for sexual orientation. Bush has maintained that opposition since taking office. [New York Times, 10/12/00; Project Votes Smart, 1998 NPAT, http://www.vote-smart.org; The New Republic, 4/29/02; National Review, 7/28/03]
Opposes Sex Education Programs that Stress Safe Sexual Practices
Bush’s new budget provides $136 million in additional funding for unproven abstinence-only sex education, bringing the federal total to over $250 million a year. Abstinence-only education marginalizes LGBT youth, telling them they should to have sex until marriage-which is prohibited by law. Recipients of abstinence-only funding must agree not to provide any information inconsistent with abstinence-till-marriage message meaning that safe sex, HIV and AIDS, and LGBT issues are often excluded. [NARAL, President Bush Budget Proposal; FY ’05; Lambda Legal, 9/5/02, http://www.lambdalega.org/]
Nominated Jerry Thacker to Presidential HIV/AIDS Advisory Council, a Man Who Called AIDS a “Gay Plague” and Homosexuality a “Death-Style”
The panel is co-chaired by Tom Coburn who told the Family Research Council that “no one stands harder against homosexuality than I do,” and Louis Sullivan who, as Secretary of Health and Human Services in 1989, buried a report on suicide among gay teens.[Washington Post, 2/5/03; The New Republic, 4/29/02]
Has Nominated Anti-Gay Individuals to the Federal Courts
Bush has appointed Claude Allen to the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Allen, a former aide to Jesse Helms stated that a Helms opponent was vulnerable due to his ties “with the queers.” Bush also used a recess appointment in January 2004 to install Charles Pickering Sr. who decried the degradation of values by homosexuality, pornography and divorce. Bush has also appointed Bill Pryor, who as Alabama attorney general filed a brief with the Supreme Court that likened homosexuality with incest, necrophilia, pedophilia, prostitution and adultery. [NARAL, http://www.naral.org/; HRC, 1/16/04, http://www.hrc.org/; HRC, 6/10/03, http://www.hrc.org/]
Supports “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
During the 2000 campaign Bush said he was a “don’t ask, don’t tell man” and would not “appoint someone to the Joint Chiefs of Staff who openly advocated allowing gays to serve in the military.” After he took office, the Pentagon fired a record 1,273 men and women based on sexual orientation. [New York Times, 1/7/00; Servicemembers' Legal Defense Network]
Supports a Federal Marriage Amendment, a Measure that Would Deny States the Right of Grant Same-Sex Couples The Rights Enjoyed by Straight Couples
“Marriage cannot be severed from its cultural, religious and natural roots without weakening the good influence of society. Government, by recognizing and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all. Today I call upon the Congress to promptly pass, and to send to the states for ratification, an amendment to our Constitution defining and protecting marriage as a union of man and woman as husband and wife.” [President Bush Statement, 2/24/04, www.whitehouse.gov]
Promoted Major Robert T. Clark to Lieutenant General, despite Clark’s ignorance of the anti-gay climate at Fort Campbell-Base
Barry Winchell was killed on the base because he was thought to be gay. The Republican-controlled Senate confirmed Clark’s promotion November 18, 2003. [SLDN, 11/18/03]
Opposes Hate Crimes Legislation That Would Protect LGBT Americans From Violent Crimes and Assist the Prosecution of Anti-Gay Hate Crimes
As Governor of Texas, Bush sabotaged hate crimes legislation, with spokesperson Scott McClellan stating Bush “does not support special rights based on sexual orientation.” Bush has maintained this position throughout the 2000 campaign and since he has taken office. [Dallas Morning News, 4/26/99; Houston Chronicle, 11/17/03; National Review, 7/28/03]
Opposes Gay Adoption
Bush took a hard line against gay adoption during the 2000 campaign has maintained it. According to The Advocate, “George W. Bush has privately told friends that his fondest hope is to find a way to ban adoptions by gays.” [Houston Chronicle, 11/17/03; Progressive, Jan. 2004; The Advocate, 10/14/03]
Refuses to Issue an Official Proclamation Declaring June “Gay Pride Month”
Bush has refused for three years to issue a public proclamation of Pride Month. The Department of Justice used this to initially deny LGBT employees the right to hold a Pride ceremony and then demanded that they pay for it themselves. [Washington Times, 10/8/03; The New Republic, 6/23/03]
http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/lgbt/
John Kerry and John Edwards believe that every American should have the opportunity to succeed and to live the American dream. Discrimination has no place in a nation founded on the principles of freedom. While America has made great strides toward true equality, much remains to be done and too often the progress we’ve made comes under attack.
The LGBT community contributes to our nation in so many ways, in every corner of this country. Gay and lesbian Americans only ask for equal treatment. They deserve the right to make medical decisions for one another in times of crisis, the right to inherit a house purchased together and equal access to health insurance, social security and retirement benefits. Together, we can provide this simple justice.
A Call to Action
Dear Friend,
The time is now. The election is quickly approaching and gay and lesbian voters and their allies can make a difference in the direction of this country. If you want to help John Kerry get elected and send Bush back to Texas, here are five ways that you can help.
Register to Vote
Get Local - Volunteer in your area
Write to friends and family in battleground states
Travel to a battleground state to work on the campaign
Make your gay and lesbian dollars count
Never have the stakes been higher. It's clear what awaits our community if we don't defeat George Bush.
Decreased funding for HIV/AIDS treatment & prevention
No workplace protections for gays and lesbians
More bans on adoption by gays and lesbians
Increase in hate crimes against gay and lesbian citizens
You can make a difference. We all must make a difference. Get involved today.
Join the Pride at the Polls Program
Get involved with the Pride at the Polls program - a nationwide effort designed to educate, register, and turn out millions of LGBT voters. Distribute literature and talk to voters about why John Kerry will make America a better place for the LGBT community and why the LGBT community cannot survive another four years of George W. Bush.
Join Pride at the Polls Today
Notes from the Convention
As we return from the Democratic National Convention and are now focused on getting out LGBT voters across the country, we want to share with you some highlights from each day of the convention. With great speakers like Robert Gant from Queer as Folk, and Teresa Heinz Kerry, the convention was a spectacular show of strength and support for the LGBT community.
Check out all the highlights here
John Kerry on LGBT Issues
With a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign since 1995, John Kerry is a powerful voice in the ongoing fight for civil rights. John Kerry and John Edwards will work to support civil unions, prevent hate crimes, end discrimination, increase HIV/AIDS funding, and will protect Gay and Lesbian families.
Read More
Bush Administration Does NOT Extend to LGBT Americans
The Bush administration repeatedly uses gay rights as a political tool to divide the nation. John Kerry and John Edwards will use the power of the White House to support equal rights for all Americans, including gay Americans. We don’t need a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. We need to find a way to provide all American families with full and equal rights. We don’t need opposition to hate crimes legislation. We need to reject hate and embrace diversity. And we don’t need a president who plays politics with gay adoption. We need a president who works everyday to protect and support all children and families - including our gay and lesbian families.
Read Bush's Record
Strengthen Civil Rights Laws Damaged By Right-Wing Judges And Strengthen Hate Crime Laws.
John Kerry and John Edwards support the Fairness Act, which will reverse damage done to civil rights laws by right-wing judges. As president, John Kerry will only appoint judges who will enforce the laws and the Constitution of the United States, including civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. He wants to ensure that every American can get their day in court and have access to fair and meaningful remedies for injustice. John Kerry and John Edwards also support strong enforcement and equal justice for all victims of hate crime.
A Commitment to Hope, Fairness, and Opportunity
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/news/news_2004_0518a.html
Kerry's home state of Massachusetts on Monday became the first state to let same-sex couples marry. The candidate was asked by a Portland television station if he would attend a gay marriage if invited by someone close to him.
"I would never reduce the happiness of any two people in life who find whatever way it is that they privately believe makes them happy and fulfills their needs and rewards them as human beings," said Kerry. "I've been to a commitment ceremony when it was a commitment ceremony. Would I respect my daughter or my stepson or anyone who came to me and said, 'This is who I am'? Of course I would. I'd love them."
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0811d.html
Gay Marriage
Cheney in 2000: “It’s Really No One Else’s Business…I Don’t Think There Should Necessarily Be a Federal Policy in This Area.”
“I think that means that people should be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to enter into. It’s really no one else’s business in terms of trying to regulate or prohibit behavior in that regard. … I think the fact of the matter, of course, is that matter is regulated by the states. I think different states are likely to come to different conclusions and that’s appropriate. I don’t think there should necessarily be a federal policy in this area.” [Dick Cheney, Vice Presidential Debate, 10/5/00, emphasis added]
Cheney in 2004: “I Will Support Whatever Decision He Makes.”
“‘What I said in 2000 was that the question of whether or not some sort of status, legal status or sanction ought to be granted in the case of a relationship between two individuals of the same sex was historically a matter the states had decided and resolved, and that is the way I preferred it,’ Cheney said. But ‘at this stage, obviously, the president is going to have to make a decision in terms of what administration policy is on this particular provision, and I will support whatever decision he makes.’” [Denver Post, 1/11/04, emphasis added]
there is quite a bit of information, but it's all worth a read. there's also a part in there that says how you can help the cause. go ahead... do it! ;-)
anywho, i think tonight we're going to the bar. r's. yay. it'll be lotsa fun. ;-) hopefully i can get ahold of kristin and mike soon. hmm. well, i don't got a whole lot to say and i need to finish cleaning the house. lata!
http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/lgbt/equalrights.html
Continuing the Fight for Equal Rights for LGBT Americans
With a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign since 1995, John Kerry is a powerful voice in the ongoing fight for civil rights:
Preventing Hate Crimes: John Kerry is an original cosponsor of the Hate Crimes Prevention bill, which would extend federal jurisdiction over serious, violent hate crimes. These would include crimes motivated by sexual orientation. Hate crimes rose a disturbing 3.5% from 1999 to 2000.
Ending Discrimination: One of John Kerry’s first acts as a U.S. Senator was to introduce a bill prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. He supports passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, and has adopted a nondiscrimination policy for his Congressional offices based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
HIV/AIDS Funding: John Kerry cosponsored the first Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act (CARE)-which represents the largest discretionary federal investment in treating individuals with HIV and AIDS. Kerry also sponsored the Vaccines for the New Millennium Act, aimed at boosting contributions to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, a non-profit group working to promote development of an HIV vaccine in 2000. Kerry introduced the U.S. Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act, which would increase the U.S. government’s funding of international HIV/AIDS efforts from approximately $1.7 billion in 2003 to $1.9 billion in 2004. This effort led to the unanimous passage in May 2003 the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, TB, and Malaria Act of 2003. AIDS activists characterized Kerry as one of Congress’s top leaders on HIV/AIDS policy.
Protecting Gay and Lesbian Families: John Kerry believes that same-sex couples should be granted rights, including access to pensions, health insurance, family medical leave, bereavement leave, hospital visitation, survivor benefits, and other basic legal protections that all families and children need. He has supported legislation to provide domestic partners of federal employees the benefits available to spouses of federal employees. He was one of 14 Senators -- and the only one up for reelection in 1996 -- to oppose the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Speaking Out Against the Clinton Administration Ban on Gays in the Military: John Kerry opposed the Clinton administration's “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” policy and was one of a few senators to testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee against the policy.
http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/lgbt/bushrecord.html
Bush Administration Does Not Extend to LGBT Americans
Opposes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)
During the second presidential debate in 2000, Bush said he did not support ENDA because he opposed “special rights.” On a 1998 survey, Bush stated that he opposed anti-discrimination laws for sexual orientation. Bush has maintained that opposition since taking office. [New York Times, 10/12/00; Project Votes Smart, 1998 NPAT, http://www.vote-smart.org; The New Republic, 4/29/02; National Review, 7/28/03]
Opposes Sex Education Programs that Stress Safe Sexual Practices
Bush’s new budget provides $136 million in additional funding for unproven abstinence-only sex education, bringing the federal total to over $250 million a year. Abstinence-only education marginalizes LGBT youth, telling them they should to have sex until marriage-which is prohibited by law. Recipients of abstinence-only funding must agree not to provide any information inconsistent with abstinence-till-marriage message meaning that safe sex, HIV and AIDS, and LGBT issues are often excluded. [NARAL, President Bush Budget Proposal; FY ’05; Lambda Legal, 9/5/02, http://www.lambdalega.org/]
Nominated Jerry Thacker to Presidential HIV/AIDS Advisory Council, a Man Who Called AIDS a “Gay Plague” and Homosexuality a “Death-Style”
The panel is co-chaired by Tom Coburn who told the Family Research Council that “no one stands harder against homosexuality than I do,” and Louis Sullivan who, as Secretary of Health and Human Services in 1989, buried a report on suicide among gay teens.[Washington Post, 2/5/03; The New Republic, 4/29/02]
Has Nominated Anti-Gay Individuals to the Federal Courts
Bush has appointed Claude Allen to the US Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Allen, a former aide to Jesse Helms stated that a Helms opponent was vulnerable due to his ties “with the queers.” Bush also used a recess appointment in January 2004 to install Charles Pickering Sr. who decried the degradation of values by homosexuality, pornography and divorce. Bush has also appointed Bill Pryor, who as Alabama attorney general filed a brief with the Supreme Court that likened homosexuality with incest, necrophilia, pedophilia, prostitution and adultery. [NARAL, http://www.naral.org/; HRC, 1/16/04, http://www.hrc.org/; HRC, 6/10/03, http://www.hrc.org/]
Supports “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”
During the 2000 campaign Bush said he was a “don’t ask, don’t tell man” and would not “appoint someone to the Joint Chiefs of Staff who openly advocated allowing gays to serve in the military.” After he took office, the Pentagon fired a record 1,273 men and women based on sexual orientation. [New York Times, 1/7/00; Servicemembers' Legal Defense Network]
Supports a Federal Marriage Amendment, a Measure that Would Deny States the Right of Grant Same-Sex Couples The Rights Enjoyed by Straight Couples
“Marriage cannot be severed from its cultural, religious and natural roots without weakening the good influence of society. Government, by recognizing and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all. Today I call upon the Congress to promptly pass, and to send to the states for ratification, an amendment to our Constitution defining and protecting marriage as a union of man and woman as husband and wife.” [President Bush Statement, 2/24/04, www.whitehouse.gov]
Promoted Major Robert T. Clark to Lieutenant General, despite Clark’s ignorance of the anti-gay climate at Fort Campbell-Base
Barry Winchell was killed on the base because he was thought to be gay. The Republican-controlled Senate confirmed Clark’s promotion November 18, 2003. [SLDN, 11/18/03]
Opposes Hate Crimes Legislation That Would Protect LGBT Americans From Violent Crimes and Assist the Prosecution of Anti-Gay Hate Crimes
As Governor of Texas, Bush sabotaged hate crimes legislation, with spokesperson Scott McClellan stating Bush “does not support special rights based on sexual orientation.” Bush has maintained this position throughout the 2000 campaign and since he has taken office. [Dallas Morning News, 4/26/99; Houston Chronicle, 11/17/03; National Review, 7/28/03]
Opposes Gay Adoption
Bush took a hard line against gay adoption during the 2000 campaign has maintained it. According to The Advocate, “George W. Bush has privately told friends that his fondest hope is to find a way to ban adoptions by gays.” [Houston Chronicle, 11/17/03; Progressive, Jan. 2004; The Advocate, 10/14/03]
Refuses to Issue an Official Proclamation Declaring June “Gay Pride Month”
Bush has refused for three years to issue a public proclamation of Pride Month. The Department of Justice used this to initially deny LGBT employees the right to hold a Pride ceremony and then demanded that they pay for it themselves. [Washington Times, 10/8/03; The New Republic, 6/23/03]
http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/lgbt/
John Kerry and John Edwards believe that every American should have the opportunity to succeed and to live the American dream. Discrimination has no place in a nation founded on the principles of freedom. While America has made great strides toward true equality, much remains to be done and too often the progress we’ve made comes under attack.
The LGBT community contributes to our nation in so many ways, in every corner of this country. Gay and lesbian Americans only ask for equal treatment. They deserve the right to make medical decisions for one another in times of crisis, the right to inherit a house purchased together and equal access to health insurance, social security and retirement benefits. Together, we can provide this simple justice.
A Call to Action
Dear Friend,
The time is now. The election is quickly approaching and gay and lesbian voters and their allies can make a difference in the direction of this country. If you want to help John Kerry get elected and send Bush back to Texas, here are five ways that you can help.
Register to Vote
Get Local - Volunteer in your area
Write to friends and family in battleground states
Travel to a battleground state to work on the campaign
Make your gay and lesbian dollars count
Never have the stakes been higher. It's clear what awaits our community if we don't defeat George Bush.
Decreased funding for HIV/AIDS treatment & prevention
No workplace protections for gays and lesbians
More bans on adoption by gays and lesbians
Increase in hate crimes against gay and lesbian citizens
You can make a difference. We all must make a difference. Get involved today.
Join the Pride at the Polls Program
Get involved with the Pride at the Polls program - a nationwide effort designed to educate, register, and turn out millions of LGBT voters. Distribute literature and talk to voters about why John Kerry will make America a better place for the LGBT community and why the LGBT community cannot survive another four years of George W. Bush.
Join Pride at the Polls Today
Notes from the Convention
As we return from the Democratic National Convention and are now focused on getting out LGBT voters across the country, we want to share with you some highlights from each day of the convention. With great speakers like Robert Gant from Queer as Folk, and Teresa Heinz Kerry, the convention was a spectacular show of strength and support for the LGBT community.
Check out all the highlights here
John Kerry on LGBT Issues
With a 100% rating from the Human Rights Campaign since 1995, John Kerry is a powerful voice in the ongoing fight for civil rights. John Kerry and John Edwards will work to support civil unions, prevent hate crimes, end discrimination, increase HIV/AIDS funding, and will protect Gay and Lesbian families.
Read More
Bush Administration Does NOT Extend to LGBT Americans
The Bush administration repeatedly uses gay rights as a political tool to divide the nation. John Kerry and John Edwards will use the power of the White House to support equal rights for all Americans, including gay Americans. We don’t need a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. We need to find a way to provide all American families with full and equal rights. We don’t need opposition to hate crimes legislation. We need to reject hate and embrace diversity. And we don’t need a president who plays politics with gay adoption. We need a president who works everyday to protect and support all children and families - including our gay and lesbian families.
Read Bush's Record
Strengthen Civil Rights Laws Damaged By Right-Wing Judges And Strengthen Hate Crime Laws.
John Kerry and John Edwards support the Fairness Act, which will reverse damage done to civil rights laws by right-wing judges. As president, John Kerry will only appoint judges who will enforce the laws and the Constitution of the United States, including civil rights and anti-discrimination laws. He wants to ensure that every American can get their day in court and have access to fair and meaningful remedies for injustice. John Kerry and John Edwards also support strong enforcement and equal justice for all victims of hate crime.
A Commitment to Hope, Fairness, and Opportunity
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/news/news_2004_0518a.html
Kerry's home state of Massachusetts on Monday became the first state to let same-sex couples marry. The candidate was asked by a Portland television station if he would attend a gay marriage if invited by someone close to him.
"I would never reduce the happiness of any two people in life who find whatever way it is that they privately believe makes them happy and fulfills their needs and rewards them as human beings," said Kerry. "I've been to a commitment ceremony when it was a commitment ceremony. Would I respect my daughter or my stepson or anyone who came to me and said, 'This is who I am'? Of course I would. I'd love them."
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0811d.html
Gay Marriage
Cheney in 2000: “It’s Really No One Else’s Business…I Don’t Think There Should Necessarily Be a Federal Policy in This Area.”
“I think that means that people should be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to enter into. It’s really no one else’s business in terms of trying to regulate or prohibit behavior in that regard. … I think the fact of the matter, of course, is that matter is regulated by the states. I think different states are likely to come to different conclusions and that’s appropriate. I don’t think there should necessarily be a federal policy in this area.” [Dick Cheney, Vice Presidential Debate, 10/5/00, emphasis added]
Cheney in 2004: “I Will Support Whatever Decision He Makes.”
“‘What I said in 2000 was that the question of whether or not some sort of status, legal status or sanction ought to be granted in the case of a relationship between two individuals of the same sex was historically a matter the states had decided and resolved, and that is the way I preferred it,’ Cheney said. But ‘at this stage, obviously, the president is going to have to make a decision in terms of what administration policy is on this particular provision, and I will support whatever decision he makes.’” [Denver Post, 1/11/04, emphasis added]
there is quite a bit of information, but it's all worth a read. there's also a part in there that says how you can help the cause. go ahead... do it! ;-)
anywho, i think tonight we're going to the bar. r's. yay. it'll be lotsa fun. ;-) hopefully i can get ahold of kristin and mike soon. hmm. well, i don't got a whole lot to say and i need to finish cleaning the house. lata!